Answer:We asked a tutor at the Architecture school at the University of Auckland about this - he hasn't heard of anyone using private art tuition. The portfolio itself should show the applicant's creative ability and artistic/graphic skills. Students often include their own personal work more than high school material. Here are some links relating to Portfolios for the School of Architecture at the University of Auckland - these are a little out of date, but things rarely change. The pdf link below has the prescription for a portfolio on the 3rd page. http://www.creative.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/fms/default/nicai/library/2007/07/suppforms/ArchUGSuppApp%202008.pdf The link below shows an example portfolio from a successful applicant - it is about average. Such a heavy influence of Architectural subjects is not necessary. http://library.creative.auckland.ac.nz/common/library/2006/11/architecture/portfolio-seo.pdf Further examples of successful applicant portfolios can be viewed on request at the Architecture library - Symonds street city campus. With regards to time management, very few new students have this skill as the thinking/process and workloads are vastly different from those in high school. You kind of pick it up as you go along and it becomes ingrained in your work process for the most part unconsciously.

Answer:Students need to have some good basic creative ability to consider entering into the course, as creativity cannot be taught very easily (although this is open to debate). Graphics is useful as a subject, as it imparts some of the fundamentals of formal/orthographic drawing at an early stage. It shouldn't be privileged over more creatively free work (painting) or the production of personal artwork. The more diverse the skill base someone has, the easier the transition into the study of architecture will be. Anyone considering Architecture has to have good fundamental numeracy skills so stats would be helpful. Physics isn't essential, as a basic understanding of the performance of structures (bending moment stresses) is all a student is required to achieve while studying. This is to allow you to hold an intelligent conversation with an engineer who does all the complex calculations and to have a basic understanding of the performance of structures in buildings. Any serious student must have a very good grasp of English. The ability to communicate verbally in an articulate manner is absolutely essential. History/Theory/Criticism papers are a core component of study form second year onwards. Both English and any formal written subject like Art History/History/Classics are recommended subjects to take in Year 13.

Answer:There are lots of different types of engineers so it really depends on what kind of engineering you want to get in to. Generally though, engineering is quite a specific discipline so you will need an Engineering degree. We can help a bit more with some more information.