Bachelor of Design (Architecture)
75.0
Overview
Architecture shapes the ways we live and connect. In our Bachelor of Design (Architecture), you'll study design, construction, cultural contexts, and more – all under the guidance of world-renowned academics. Get more than just theory, gain the hands-on experience the industry desires. Design, create, and make in our ProtoLAB with 3D printers, laser cutters, robots, and more.
Course prerequisites have changed
The English and EAL study scores have been updated for Semester 1, 2025 entry. Please see the Entry requirements tab for updated information.
Get more for your ATAR
Looking for a uni with state-of-the-art facilities, guaranteed industry experience and a supportive community? Find your dream course and make Swinburne your #1 VTAC preference.
Your industry experience
Bolster your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs – a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. This can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects.
In this degree, you'll learn from industry specialists in custom created studio and professional practice focused units.
Skills you’ll learn
- Strong communication skills
- Concept generation
- Design promoting health and wellbeing
- Knowledge of construction technology
- Digital analysis and fabrication skills
Your career opportunities
- Building designer
- Building project management
- Design coordination
- 3D architectural modeller
- Structural drafter
- Architectural consultant or designer
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Why Swinburne?
Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
5 stars for overall experience
#1 in Melbourne for graduate found full-time employment 4 months after completing their degree
#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary one year out
From Swinburne studio to global engineering and design company
Eddy and Amy, both Bachelor of Design (Architecture) students, get outside the Swinburne studios, and into the offices of a global engineering, design and advisory company. Watch how they used all of our latest tech (like KUKA robots and CNC machines) to create the Fab Pod II – a lightweight, acoustically designed meeting room. See how you could be working with industry before you graduate.
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
- completion of a related Diploma or completed or partial completion of a related Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree or Degree.
Guaranteed Entry ATAR
75.0
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]
71.2
You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.
If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject adjustments, equity schemes or other factors.
Subject adjustments:
- A study score of 25 in Product Design and Technologies, Media, any Mathematics, Art Making and Exhibiting, Systems Engineering or Visual Communication Design equals 4 aggregate points per study.
Overall maximum of 15 points. Subject adjustment points are applied to the aggregate, not the ATAR.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.
*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
Course prerequisites
These prerequisites have been updated for Semester 1 2025 entry
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
Other requirements
Non-year 12 entry
Applicants that have completed work or study in an architecture-related field are invited to apply for advanced standing, which is provided in the form of academic credit towards your architecture degree. In order for us to assess whether your previous work or study satisfies part of the academic requirements of the course, please upload a digital portfolio of up to eight pages, and respond to four design related questions.
Your digital portfolio must be submitted using Slideroom.
Digital portfolios provided through any means other than Slideroom will not be accepted.
Advanced standing can only be assessed once you have submitted your digital portfolio and responded to all questions in Slideroom.
In your portfolio, we are looking for evidence of your ability to think spatially, critically and creatively, as well as the desire to design and build things. In assessing your portfolio, we would like to see your ability to conceptualize and develop ideas. As well as finished outcomes, we are also interested in concept sketches or working drawing that display your thinking process.
Acceptable works include (but are not limited to) product design, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, visual art, graphic design or other visual media. We do not expect to see only architectural drawing, plans or digital renders but would ideally like to see a range of visual examples. Think carefully about how you present your portfolio as we will also consider how you structure your content into a clear, compelling story about yourself and your passion for, and commitment to, architecture.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
-
Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)
2 years full-time, 7 units max credit
-
Diploma of Design (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Design (UniLink)
8 months, 8 units max credit
Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Architecture) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
What your course could look like
This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Contexts of Architectural History
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ARC10003 |
|
Introductory Design Studio
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD10006 |
|
Construction 1: Building Systems and Materials
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DIA10001 |
|
Interior Architecture Communication
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DIA10005 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
Architectural Design Studio 1 (Communication)
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
ARC10001 |
|
Cross-cultural Contexts
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ARC20003 |
|
Interior Architecture Digital Documentation 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DIA20003 |
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Architectural Design Studio 2 (Socio-economic Contexts)
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
ARC20001 |
|
Construction 2: Building Services and Documentation Packages
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DIA20001 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Architectural Design Studio 3 (Construction)
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
ARC20002 |
|
Construction 3: Sustainability
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DIA30001 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Professional placement - Major (12 months) | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A - Design
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD20031 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement B - Design
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD20032 |
| or | |
| Professional placement - Minor (6 months) | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A - Design
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD20031 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Architectural Design Studio 4 (Construction)
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
ARC30001 |
|
Architectural Communication 2
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ARC30003 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Architectural Design Studio 5
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
ARC30002 |
|
Professional Practice 1: BIM (Building Information Management)
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ARC30004 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$9,314
Total fee* ($AUD)
$27,942
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$43,280.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Professional placement fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
Student work
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'Outside In' project -
'Outside In' project -
‘Interlocking Wave’ project by second year Architecture students -
'Koi' project by third year Architecture students -
'Perspectives' project, by second year Architecture students -
'Flutter' project -
'Armar Curvar' project by second year Architecture students
