University of Technology Sydney

C10004v6 Bachelor of Design in Architecture

Award(s): Bachelor of Design in Architecture (BDesign)
UAC code: 602010 (Autumn session)
CRICOS code: 044179J
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 144
Course EFTSL: 3
Location: City campus

Notes

The Bachelor of Design in Architecture by itself does not lead to professional recognition as an architect. To become a professional architect, students must complete this degree followed by the Master of Architecture (C04235) (an additional two years of full-time study or equivalent).

This course is offered for Spring intake to UTS College applicants ONLY - UTS College applicants are not accepted for Autumn intake.


Overview
Course aims
Career options
Innovation and Transdisciplinary program
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Pathway course
Inherent (essential) requirements
Applications
Assumed knowledge
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Honours
Further study at UTS
Professional recognition
Other information

Overview

The Bachelor of Design in Architecture is the first of two degrees needed to become an architect. Students wishing to qualify for professional recognition as architects must also complete the Master of Architecture (C04235).

Through the Bachelor of Design in Architecture, students learn what it means to be an architect in a globalised world. This is achieved with a focus on how the profession can shape global cities through complex spatial thinking.

The first step is to deprogram preconceived ideas of architecture. Such an approach lays the foundations for creative spatial and material awareness, pushing the boundaries of traditional architectural practice.

UTS takes a hands-on approach to digital design and fabrication: students learn the software, material and model-making skills required to translate thought into form, right from the start. They have the opportunity to work on real-life projects and engage with stakeholders such as the Powerhouse Museum, ABC, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA), and Sydney Olympic Park Authority.

Students are globally connected, with opportunities to study in, work in or visit cities such as Berlin, Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo. They hear from international experts through guest lectures and are connected to global competitions and scholarships like the Cosentino Design Challenge or Frank Gehry internship program.

UTS Architecture is a vibrant architecture school, situated in one of Australia's newest, leading-edge campuses. Its staff are actively engaged in the industry as practitioners, researchers, and commentators, while its 24-hour studios are always abuzz with students who live and breathe architecture.

Course aims

This degree provides a liberal introduction to the study of architecture as a discipline. Students gain a critical and ethical awareness of architecture as a discipline with much to offer in the face of many of today's most pressing societal challenges. It equips students to join other design fields or related disciplines, and it prepares students for the Master of Architecture degree.

Career options

Career opportunities include architect (after completion of the Master of Architecture), urban designer, project manager, administrator, policymaker, researcher, educator, journalist, and disaster relief and international aid professional.

Innovation and Transdisciplinary program

Transdisciplinarity and Innovation at UTS

All UTS students have the opportunity to develop distinctive capabilities around transdisciplinary thinking and innovation through the TD School. Transdisciplinary education at UTS brings together great minds from different disciplines to explore ideas that improve the way we live and work in the world. These offerings are unique to UTS and directly translate to many existing and emerging roles and careers.

Diploma in Innovation

The Diploma in Innovation (C20060) teaches innovation, supports personal transformation and provides the hard skills needed to support the inventors and inventions of the future. Students come out of the Diploma in Innovation, with the hard skills to create and support sectoral and societal transformation. Graduates are able to fluently integrate ideas, across professional disciplines and are inventors of the future.

All UTS undergraduate students (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation) can apply for the Diploma in Innovation upon admission in their chosen undergraduate degree. It is a complete degree program that runs in parallel to any undergraduate degree. The course is offered on a three-year, part-time basis, with subjects running in 3-week long intensive blocks in July, December and February sessions. More information including a link to apply is available at https://dipinn.uts.edu.au.

Transdisciplinary electives program

Transdisciplinary electives broaden students' horizons and supercharge their problem-solving skills, helping them to learn outside, beyond and across their degrees. Students enrolled in an undergraduate course that includes electives can choose to take a transdisciplinary subject (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation). More information about the TD Electives program is available here.

Course intended learning outcomes

A.1 Establish and develop an informed and ethical position towards social, technical and environmental issues and practices
A.2 Recognise and appreciate local and global cultural diversities and values
A.3 Acknowledge Indigenous, cultural and historical values within the development of the project
C.1 Work cooperatively and professionally as part of a team
C.2 Communicate ideas professionally and effectively through a variety of mediums: oral, written, visual, physical and digital
C.3 Display leadership qualities throughout the production and delivery of the project
I.1 Produce inspirational responses that demonstrate the successful integration of sub-disciplinary areas of knowledge: history, theory, tectonics and/or practice
I.2 Creatively use architectural media, technologies and materials
P.1 Understand and challenge disciplinary conventions through an engagement with emergent forms of architectural practice, technologies and modes of production
P.2 Thoughtfully apply disciplinary learning in work, with a continuing commitment to personal professional development
P.3 Respond to a comprehensive brief within the disciplinary context
P.4 Evidence a three-dimensional understanding of spatial sequence and organisation
P.5 Integrate an understanding of a relationship between form, materiality, structure and construction within design thinking
P.6 Evidence disciplinary knowledge through the application of physical and/or digital mediums
R.1 Position work within an extended and critically reasoned context through the identification, evaluation and application of relevant academic references and architectural case studies
R.2 Define, develop and apply an appropriate design method in the execution of an architectural project
R.3 Independently analyse, synthesise and formulate complex ideas, arguments and rationales and use initiative to explore alternatives

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building may consider applications based on the results of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) if students lack academic qualifications but have extensive professional experience. The STAT is conducted through the Universities Admissions Centre.

Students must refer to the inherent requirements for all degrees offered by Design and Architecture in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building.

Non-current school leavers are selected on the basis of academic merit or on the basis of portfolio and interview rank.

Students must refer to the portfolio eligibility for the faculty’s consideration in order to obtain a place.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Pathway course

Admission for domestic student after successful completion of the UTS College Diploma of Design and Architecture is based on the required grade point average. Admission for International students is based on no more than two subject failures.

Inherent (essential) requirements

Inherent (essential) requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course. This Statement should be read in conjunction with the UTS Student Rules.

Prospective or current student concerned about their ability to meet these requirements should discuss their concerns with the Academic Liaison Officer in their faculty or school and/or UTS Accessibility Service on 9514 1177 or at accessibility@uts.edu.au.

UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

Applications

International students

International students (excluding those studying in an Australian high school) must submit an application to UTS International (in person, by mail or online) or through an accredited UTS representative.

International students with an ATAR up to five points below the minimum cut-off must submit a seven-page digital portfolio in PDF format (A4 page size) where:

  • five of the pages are digital files of scans and/or photographs of original work appropriate to the course being applied for
  • one page is a 150–200-word written submission discussing the aims and relative success of at least one of the submitted pieces of work
  • one page is a 300-word (max.) statement of intent; the statement of intent should describe the applicant's academic background and explain how past work experience relates to the intended field of study.

The faculty reserves the right to request a portfolio from applicants.

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics and any two units of English.

Design and Technology and Visual Arts are recommended.

Course duration and attendance

The course duration is three years of full-time study (or equivalent). Year 1 must be taken in full-time mode.

Course structure

The course comprises a total of 144 credit points. The normal full-time load is 24 credit points per session, totalling 48 credit points a year for three years.

Years 1 and 2 consist of one 12-credit point design studio, and two compulsory 6-credit point subjects each session. Year 3 consists of one 12-credit point design studio, one 6-credit point compulsory subject, and one 6-credit point elective per session.

Course completion requirements

STM91342 Core subjects (UG Architecture) 132cp
CBK91801 Electives (UG Architecture) 12cp
Total 144cp

Course diagram

Course diagram: C10004

Course program

The subjects listed below represent the standard full-time course. Under certain circumstances, students may apply for exemptions from some subjects. The example program below is for a student commencing in Autumn session and undertaking the course full time.

Autumn commencing, full time
Year 1
Autumn session
11273 Architectural Studio 1   12cp
11212 Architectural History and Theory: Orientations   6cp
11214 Spatial Communications 1   6cp
Spring session
11274 Architectural Studio 2   12cp
11216 Architectural History and Theory: Modernity and Modernism   6cp
11206 Introduction to Construction and Structural Synthesis   6cp
Year 2
Autumn session
11275 Architectural Studio 3   12cp
11248 Architectural History and Theory: Urbanism and the City   6cp
11207 Architectural Design and Construction   6cp
Spring session
11276 Architectural Studio 4   12cp
11222 Architectural History and Theory: Critique   6cp
11225 Thermal Design and Environmental Control   6cp
Year 3
Autumn session
11277 Architectural Studio 5   12cp
11232 Lighting, Acoustics and Advanced Environmental Control   6cp
Select 6 credit points of electives   6cp
Spring session
11278 Architectural Studio 6   12cp
11247 Architectural History and Theory: Current Events and Debates   6cp
Select 6 credit points of electives   6cp

Honours

The Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Architecture (C09048) is available to meritorious students with an additional one year of full-time study.

Further study at UTS

Students who have successfully completed this course and meet the admissions criteria may proceed to the Master of Architecture (C04235) as continuing students, provided they enrol in the next academic year after award of the degree, or seek leave of absence for no longer than one academic year after the award.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Design in Architecture followed by the Master of Architecture (C04235) is accredited for professional recognition by the NSW Architects Registration Board, the Australian Institute of Architects and the Commonwealth Association of Architects.

Other information

Further information is available from:

UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS
UTS: Design, Architecture and Building