Bachelor of Architectural Studies

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education:

Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent and

Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or

Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

or

Higher education study

Complete or partly complete a recognized higher education program at a recognized higher education institution

or

Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Complete an award from a registered training organization at Certificate IV or above

or

Work and life experience

Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or

Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

English language requirements:

IELTS score of 6.0; TOEFL iBT score of 60 with Reading and Writing not less than 18; TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) score of 550 with TWE of 4.5; Cambridge CAE/CPE score of 169; Pearson's test of English (Academic) (PTE) score of 50 with Reading and Writing communicative scores not less than 50; CELUSA score of AE4.

Course Details

This degree focuses on developing skills and knowledge by studying the relationships that are shared between architecture, digital and analogue communication, design and construction technologies, cultural history, and the natural and built environments. An emphasis on current architectural practice in Australia and overseas means you graduate with knowledge of the ever-changing nature of architecture globally.

You will also have the opportunity to take part in award-winning Design and Construct courses, where you will design and build community projects in remote locations in Australia and overseas with students from other design disciplines, just like in the real world. Some of the projects students have completed include the visitor accommodation at Port Resolution (Tanna Island, Vanuatu); Aboriginal ranger accommodation and research facilities in Fish River (Northern Territory, Australia); and accommodation and research facilities at Witchelina Station, (South Australia, Australia).

What you'll learn:

This bachelor-level degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge to understand design principles and methods; building structures and construction systems; digital design and communication methods; sustainable design strategies; and the social and cultural history that shapes our built environment.

This degree has a strong practical focus – in design studio classes you will design complex projects informed by contemporary architectural practice and construction, as well as undertake research and hands-on learning through industry placements and coursework.

As well as the opportunity to gain practical experience, you will gain the skills needed to design buildings that range in scale and complexity, you will also develop:

research and methodological skills to integrate theoretical, behavioural, environmental, and ethical issues within architectural practice
an understanding of the social and political context of architecture
verbal, written, and graphic communication skills, including traditional drawing methods and computer-based representation skills and knowledge
cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge in contemporary design culture

Your career

Architects are creative, accurate and problem solvers by nature. They immerse themselves in new design technologies and construction materials, and push boundaries of what is possible. A career in architecture is rewarding – you get the opportunity to shape, and even transform world around you.

Careers to consider:

• Architect: combine creative design with technical knowledge to create sustainable solutions for the built environment
• Urban designer: design at the urban scale and participate in educating civic leaders and the public about the shaping of our cities
• Heritage consultant: develop sustainable practices in design to protect and maintain heritage projects and sites of important ongoing cultural values
• Project or construction manager: involves initiating, planning, and managing a team to deliver projects of varying scales and complexities.

This degree does not lead to registration as an Architect in any State or Territory in Australia. The Bachelor of Architectural Studies is a pathway program to the Master of Architecture, which is an accredited Australian architecture qualification and provides a pathway to future registration as an architect. Only those practitioners registered with architectural registration boards, including the Architectural Practice Board of South Australia, are entitled to use the title ‘architect’ by law.