Are you planning to Study Architecture Building and Planning in Australia? However, before you answer, tell me what comes to mind when you hear the word Australia. You might think of “kangaroo”, “kiwi,” or maybe even the magnificent “Sydney Opera House.” The iconic shell-shaped building is considered a modern architectural masterpiece and an Australian symbol.
A country is often represented by its iconic buildings, such as Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers, Taiwan’s Taipei 101, and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. Can you tell me how these buildings became symbols of their countries? Studying architecture, building, and planning could help you build such iconic buildings that make your country proud.
Check out this article to learn more about studying Architecture, Building, and Planning. Here is everything you need to know about Architecture, Building, and Planning.
Architecture, Building, and Planning – what is it all about?
In the process of designing, constructing, and planning a building, the architecture combines art and science. Despite the differences in their disciplines, architects and interior designers all play an integral part in this field.
What are the major fields of study in Architecture Building and Planning in Australia?
Architecture
The design and construction of buildings are the components of the architecture, which is often regarded as a cultural symbol. Designers and architects “paint” their works on our land rather than on a canvas. An architect applies art, science, and technology knowledge to design a building aesthetically and make sure it’s safe and functional.
Building/Construction
Building and construction degrees cover the study of building materials, techniques, building economics, quantity surveying, and property development to enhance your knowledge of how to plan, create, maintain, and conserve buildings. Among the knowledge required are Construction Law, Project Management, Anatomy of Buildings, and Construction Site Operation.
Landscape and Garden Design
With knowledge of architecture, botany, geography, ecology, and other disciplines, landscape architects analyze, plan, and design natural and built environments to enhance their natural beauty and provide environmental benefits during the design process.
Urban Planning
Urban planning aims to optimize the effectiveness of a community’s land use and infrastructure in accordance with the built environment, including air, water, transportation, communications, and distribution network. It is also known as urban and regional planning.
What are the entry requirements and qualifications to study Architecture Building and Planning in Australia?
Every institution has different requirements for admission into an architecture, building and planning program and the entry requirements are different for different levels of studies too. Generally, the requirements to study in Australia are:
| Qualification | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Foundation, Diploma | Academic: Australian Year 12 equivalency IELTS: Overall band score 5.5 (no individual band below 5.0) TOEFL paper based: 530 TOEFL internet based: 71 (minimum 17 in all sections) PTE: 43 (no score lower than 36) Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): 47 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | GCE/STPM/HKALE (A-levels – best of three): 5 IB:24 IELTS: Overall band score 6.5(no individual band below 6.0) TOEFL paper based: 550-583 (TWE of 4.5) TOEFL internet based: 79-93 (writing score of 21) PTE: 58-64 Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): 58-66 |
| Master’s Degree | B.Arch. or equivalent undergraduate degree with a score of 70-75%. Experience of project handling or a diploma or a certificate are at a better advantage. Students from related fields can also apply. Qualifying score in language proficiency tests must be IELTS score: 7-6.5 TOEFL: 97-76 PTE: 64-58 |
Eligibility Criteria for studying Architecture Building and Planning in Australia
If you’re interested in studying Architecture in Australia, you need to meet the eligibility criteria. The following are some of the most important criteria.
- A score of 80% or above from any recognized board.
- English Language Proficiency Tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE., etc. A candidate must score 78 or more in TOEFL and 6.5 in IELTS.
- Decent scores in the entrance tests
- Few Australian schools consider math as a compulsory subject in the previously attended institute.
Duration of the study program
The duration of study in architecture, building, and planning programs differs depending on your study level. Here is the duration of the program listed according to their study levels:
| Study Levels | Duration |
|---|---|
| Foundation/ Diploma | 1 – 2 Years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 3 – 4 Years |
| Master’s Degree/ PhD | 2 Years |
How much does it cost to study Architecture, Building, and Planning in Australia?
[TABLE]
| Programme | Estimates Fees |
|---|---|
| Foundation | RM 43,200 – RM 67,680 |
| Diploma | RM 60,167 – RM 82,333 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | RM 348,650 – RM 584,440 |
| Master’s Degree | RM 210,773 – RM 217,867 |
| PhD | RM 94,781 – RM 113,760 |
Essential Documents
Upon meeting the eligibility criteria, you must submit certain important documents to the school. Please find below a list of important documents.
- Marksheet of passing exams
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation issued by the previously attended institutes
- Leaving Certificate
- Any diploma certificate, if applicable
Admission Procedure
The minimum eligibility requirements for universities in Australia differ from one university to another. There are usually two admission intakes annually: in February and July. Architecture students in Australia must constantly check their university pages to ensure they don’t miss any deadlines for admission. In addition, candidates must prepare a list of the documentation required for application submission.
Scholarship / Financial Assistance Available
Students who demonstrate academic excellence and proof of funds are provided with financial assistance by Architecture schools in Australia. International students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships from the government. Here are some of the most important scholarships:
| Name of the Scholarship | Issued By | Given to |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships | University of Melbourne | Students pursuing research |
| Australian Awards Scholarship | Department of Foreign Trade and Affairs | Students from Indo Pacific region |
| Macquarie University International Scholarships | Vice-chancellor of Macquarie University | International students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degree |
| Charles Darwin University Vice -Chancellor’s International High Achievers Scholarships | Charles Darwin University | Undergraduate or postgraduate students |
What are the job opportunities?
There are many job options available for a graduate with Architecture, Building, and Planning background, as the degree could be useful for many jobs such as:
- Interior designer
- Urban designer
- Urban planner
- Architect
- Landscape designer
- Construction manager
- Real estate
- Building Surveyor
- Structural engineer
- Specification writer
- Project manager
- Workplace consultant
- Architectural Technician
- Design and Decoration Assistant
- Architectural Manager
- Assistant Architectural Manager
- Mechanical Drafter
- Drafting Supervisor
- Architecture Consultant
- Architecture Specification Writer
Information on Architecture Courses- in detail
How does a masterpiece get designed and built? As a prospective architecture student, you should know that it requires inspiration, creativity, and a degree in architecture.
There are many fascinating aspects of architecture that blend art, culture, science, technology, and even business. Architecture courses are offered at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Visit the website of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) to learn more about this field. Registration information can be found on the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia website.
VET study in architecture
VET does not offer any architecture courses leading to professional qualifications. Built environment VET courses prepare graduates for drafting, construction, and surveying paraprofessional jobs, but they can also be used as a pathway to further architectural studies. In order to become a professional architect, you must complete a degree from an accredited university.
Undergraduate study in architecture
Courses, majors, and specializations in architecture
There are two types of architecture degrees. Firstly, the five-year undergraduate version. Then there is the two-part version that begins with an undergraduate ‘pre-professional qualification’ in architecture. It could be in arts, applied science, or environmental design. In addition, there is an architecture major — followed by a two-year or three-year postgraduate qualification in architecture.
Before registering to practice, you must complete a year of practical experience and pass a further exam. Regardless of your choice, you will study everything from engineering, structural design, building, and project management to graphics and design. If you want, then a double degree can give you access to even more learning – you could combine architecture with engineering, construction, or even law.
In architecture courses, core units tend to predominate, although some electives may be available, as is common in courses leading to a particular profession. In addition to lectures and tutorials, you will spend a lot of time in the design studio and on practical assignments. Most architecture programs require at least some knowledge of mathematics, and most require full-time study.
About Australian Architectural Qualifications
While Australian architectural qualifications have long been recognized, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Architect Register makes it easier to work overseas. Australia and other member countries allow qualified architects to practice in Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States.
The Australian Institute of Architects launched a foundation in 2014 that promotes the benefits of architecture and design to the Australian community. The foundation focuses on exhibitions, education programs, and scholarship programs. Additionally, the institute has proposed integrating architectural and urban design issues into the school curriculum to strengthen the role of architecture in government policy.
Undoubtedly, the US-style degree (a general pre-professional degree followed by a postgraduate qualification in architecture) will become more common in the future.
The best places to study architecture
While shopping around for architecture courses, there are several things to keep in mind. First, you must decide if you can get in, as this is a competitive field. Architecture candidates apply in droves despite low graduate ratings, keeping cut-offs high.
Additionally, check the website of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia to see if the course is accredited and how much hands-on learning is provided. For architects to practice, they must gain practical experience in their field, just like doctors and lawyers. Before you can sit for the Architectural Practice Exam, you must have two years of practical experience under supervision (one after graduation).
Several universities provide students with work experience as part of their architecture curriculum in order to prepare them for the future and to provide them with hands-on experience. There are even some schools that allow students to take part in campus redevelopment projects. Before going on to the second phase of a two-phase degree program, some departments even recommend or require students to take a break for professional practice.
It is possible to earn a degree in architecture from a number of universities across the country, although some states may only have one or two. Many universities offer courses in architecture and related fields with a major in design if you’re considering a two-part degree program.
Postgraduate study in architecture
Courses, majors, and specializations in architecture
The number of coursework programs offering architecture qualifications is relatively small, as are the numbers of students. Graduates of other disciplines usually cannot pursue these programs if they want to change careers completely. Students generally enter these programs after completing ‘pre-professional’ undergraduate study in design, built environment, applied science, or the arts as part of a compulsory two-part program structure.
Just like those who have completed five-year undergraduate degrees in architecture, graduates of these two-part programs will need to complete a period of supervised practical experience and an additional examination before they are eligible for full professional accreditation.
Additionally, there are programs that offer specialists the opportunity to widen their knowledge or gain expertise in a particular area.
Approximately one in five students engage in research, and most programs require a thesis or a project. As opposed to submitting a written thesis, the latter approach involves design or creative work, which leads to a design for an architecture project. It is possible that students will have to produce a written piece in conjunction with their presentation.
Top Schools In Australia for Study of Architecture Building and Planning
Despite the fact that there are a number of architecture schools in Australia offering a wide range of courses, here are some of the best schools in the country. Here’s what you need to know:
| University | QS World Ranking 2021 |
|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 41 |
| University of Sydney | 40 |
| The University of South Wales | 44 |
| RMIT University | 223 |
| Curtin University | 217 |
| University of Queensland | 46 |
| Griffith University | 303 |
| Monash University | 55 |
| University of Adelaide | 106 |
| University of Western Australia | 92 |
A list of the different kinds of specializations to study Architecture Building and Planning in Australia provided below:
| Contruction Management | Architectural Engineering |
| Civil Engineering | Property Valuation |
| Urban Designing | Urban and Regional Planning |
| Building Planning | Construction |
| Garden Design | Property Planning |
| Interior Design | Landscape Architecture |
| Illumination Design | Green Infrastructure |
| Lighting. Design and Technology | Urban Horticulture |
Architecture courses in Australia
| College | Degree | Fees (Indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. University of Melbourne | Master of Architecture | AUD 82,906 |
| 2. University of South Wales | Master of Architecture- Social Agency | – |
| 3. RMIT University | Master of Architecture | AUD 84,224 |
| 4. University of Sydney | Bachelor of Design in Architecture | AUD 124,886 |
| 5. University of South Wales | Bachelor of Architectural Studies | AUD 112,155 |
| 6. RMIT University | Bachelor of Architectural Design | AUD 123,758 |
| 7. University of Adelaide | Master of Architecture (Coursework) | AUD 81,000 |
| 8. University of Technology, Sydney | Bachelor of Design in Architecture | AUD 118.512 |
| 9. University of Sydney | Bachelor of Architecture and Environments | AUD 135,000 |
| 10. Queensland University of Technology | Bachelor of Business/ Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) | AUD 129,200 |
Building and Architecture courses
| Colleges | Degree | Fees (Indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. University of Melbourne | Master of Architecture | AUD 92,608 |
| 2. Deakin University | Master of Construction Management (Professional) | AUD 77,200 |
| 3. University of Melbourne | Bachelor of Design | AUD 111,792 |
| 4. Swinburne University of Technology | Master of Construction and Infrastructure Management | AUD 77,200 |
| 5. University of South Wales | Master of Architecture- Social Agency | – |
| 6. University of South Wales | Master of Architecture- High Performance Technology | – |
| 7. University of New South Wales | Master of Architecture- Housing | – |
| 8. CQ University | Master of Construction Management | AUD 64,800 |
| 9. University of Melbourne | Master of Landscape Architecture | AUD 138,912 |
| 10. University of Melbourne | Master of Urban Planning and Master of Urban Design | – |
Conclusion
It is clear that Architectural Engineering combines the engineering principles of infrastructure with the design-based contemporary practice of architecture.
In Australia, Architecture Building and Planning teaches you to consider economic, social and cultural issues, as well as building systems and materials, while designing and producing outputs.
By taking part in the collaborative studios, you will gain a solid understanding of interdisciplinary topics, excellent communication skills, critical thinking, and the ability to use resources, materials, and technologies effectively.