Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, University of Art
2
Assistant Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
Abstract
Revisiting the student selection methods for undergraduate studies in architecture and urban planning in Iran is the main aim of this research. The literature on the subject showed that despite numerous general sources on student selection and access to higher education, only a very limited number of sources have addressed the particular cases of architecture and urban planning. There were some indication in the literature about the intervening affects of non-academic factors, and therefore it seemed necessary to include investigations into both academic and non-academic issues and their consequences. For architecture courses, poor relationship was usually observed between the selection criteria and measures of academic performance of the selected students. Evidence existed for psychological and cognitive differences between students of design and non-design disciplines also modest evidence was found about the relationship of non-academic factors to academic performance.
After studying the literature on this matter, attempts have been made to develop new suggestions for the improvement of these processes through the investigation of the same processes in other countries worldwide. In this regard, using a comparison method for the research, a sample of nine countries has been chosen so that they could represent a wide range of possible processes of student selection criteria. The sample includes the following countries which in alphabetical order are Brazil, China, France, India, Korea, Malaysia, Turkey, UK, and USA.
Apart from countries which employ a central unified method of student selection, in other countries where the universities are independently responsible for choosing the candidates, 20 well known universities were investigated.
Six criteria were chosen on the basis of literature review to investigate the process of student selection namely: selection method (centralized or decentralized), necessary credentials, method of implementation of entrance exam, entrance exam’s subjects, method of evaluating previous skills/achievements, authorities/ organizations involved in student selection. The results of the study shows that a unified central method is only carried out in two countries, whereas in other sample countries either the universities are independent, or the process of decentralization of selection method has started.
In the majority of sample countries the GPA (Grade Point Average) of secondary education is considered as one of the main criteria of student selection, however, in some cases a national exam is also being employed. It should be noticed that in half of the sample countries non academic factors such as interviews, portfolios and personal statements comprise a key part of the selection criteria. Drawing on the results, suggestions have been made to enhance the current conditions of selecting architecture and urban planning students in Iran some of which are as followings:
Decentralization of student selection procedure, introducing drawing and design tasks in the entrance exams of architecture and design related urban programs as well as implementation of threshold scores for each subject of the entrance exam.
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