School of Architecture
Selection procedure for 1st Year BAS students for 2016
SUMMERSTRAND SOUTH
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
http://architecture.nmmu.ac.za/
Contact:
Tel. +27 (0)41 504 2719
Fax. +27 (0)41 504 1437
[email protected]
Dear Applicant,
Selection interviews will take place at the department of Architecture at predetermined dates. Applicants are
required to attend the interview with a portfolio of works and the details are given below. Students must make an
appointment for the interview. It is advisable to attend the interview at the earliest as there are fixed number of
seats available for admission.
Contact person to arrange for an interview : Lourine Smith, Secretary: 041-504 2719
Venue :Department of Architecture (map attached); Buildiing 08, South
Campus, NMMU
Admission Requirements:
 Minimum NSC requirements for degree entry must be met
 Admission Points Score (APS) of 34
 English, Afrikaans, IsiXhosa (home language or first additional language) on at least a level 3(40-49%)
 NSC achievement rating of at least 4(50-59) for Mathematics
Applicants who do not comply with the admission requirement of 34 APS points, but have a convincing portfolio of
creative works, may be required to do an assessment which must be completed before the selection interview (at
least two weeks before the interview). The tests include Arithmetic, Elementary Algebra, and English Reading
Comprehension. Please contact the Centre for Access Assessment & Research (CAAR) on 041-5042918 for more
information and to make arrangements for the assessment.
A Creative portfolio of your works to be submitted at the interview.
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Dates of Interviews: June: 3 and 22 ; July 22 and 29 ; August 12 , 19 and 26 ; September 2 , 16 and
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30 ; October 7 and 21 ; November 4 and 25 .
PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS:
The portfolio essentially aims at looking at your creative and analytical ability.
The quality of the portfolio should be graphic, creative, professional and is to be entirely the student’s OWN work,
including a signed affidavit to that effect. The portfolio must be presented in a stiff covered A3 folder marked with
the applicant’s name and student number (if known) in the top right hand corner. The lettering for the name must be
at least 25mm. The content and the presentation of the portfolio should express your creative skills, committment
and attention to details.
a. Motivation Letter: Write a 400 word motivation letter that in your own mind clarifies why you want to
be an architect.
b. FreeHand Drawings: At least 6 freehand drawings of which three should be of buildings, old and
contemporary, that you admire. The other three are of your own choice. Prepare a brief write up
(about a paragraph)on the architecture of at least two of the chosen buildings.
c. My Character: an A3 page which communicates (using a combination of words and graphics),
your unique character. Your name and a small photo are to be included in the composition, as
well as a short essay explaining why you want to study architecture. The graphics may be done
using freehand drawing and/or collage techniques or other graphic media techniques.
d. My Journey: an A3 page (using a combination of illustrations and words) which illustrates the
places along a journey between 2 places in your everyday life, eg. Between home and school.
The emphasis here is on originality, perception and creativity.
e. Add-on Creative Works: Along with the above works you could present evidence of any other
creative and making skills of yours. For eg. Photographic works, essays, poetry, paintings, dance,
music, sculpture, pottery, handicraft, woodwork, metalwork, engineering drawings, etc. These can
be original works or photogrtaphic evidences, composed and presented in an orderly manner.
International Students: In the event of the student unable to attend the personal interview, the portfolio is to be
submitted by 30 September of the year preceding study.
For further information visit: http://architecture.nmmu.ac.za/
Directions to the Department of Architecture, South Campus, NMMU
1. Take University Way in
Summerstrand, off Admiralty Drive.
2. Enter the University grounds
(street named Guineafowl). You
need to go to building 8.
3. Drive past the main building.
Keep on the same road as it takes
a turn to the right (now street
named Springbok).
4. Take the 3rd turning to the right
(street named Bush Buck) with
directions to Physics/Chemistry
building.
5. Turn immediately left onto grass
parking lot. Drive to furthest end
and park.
6. Take the red brick path
between the physics building and
the library. You will pass a
concrete carport for 4 cars. Turn
left and take the steps down into
the foyer. Take the lift to the 2nd
floor. Enter the Department of
Architecture through the wood
and glass doors. Go to room 214.
See you at the Interview!