Graduate Certificate of Urban Design
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Graduate Certificate of Urban Design builds on your existing skills and knowledge to prepare you for designing healthy, modern cities.
You’ll hone your understanding of the contemporary approaches needed to tackle population growth, climate change, housing affordability, urban mobility and public health in our cities.
You’ll graduate with the confidence and specialised knowledge in urban design required to build a career in urban design and planning practices, or in local city councils.Duration
6 months full-time or part-time equivalent
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time
2023 Start Dates
Semester 2 -
31 July 2023
2024 Start Dates
Semester 2 -
29 July 2024
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Graduates will have skills and knowledge to make contributions in careers in private practices including urban design, and planning practices or well as local government positions in local city councils.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Urban Design, students must complete 50 credit points:
- 3 core units of study (50 credit points)
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate of Urban Design is 25 credit points (normally two units)
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate of Urban Design is 25 credit points (normally two units)
Units of study
Student must complete the following 3 units of study:
ARC70001 Design Research Studio A (25 credit points) *
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Career opportunities
Graduate will have skills and knowledge to make contributions in careers in private practices including urban design, and planning practices or well as local government positions in local city councils.
Aims and objectives
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to apply specialised knowledge in Urban Design and will be able to:
- critically reflect on and apply knowledge of contemporary urban design theory and practice demonstrating comprehension of international and local planning theory and history, planning law and statutory planning, urban economics, sustainability, land use and urban design, and strategic planning
- apply analytical design research methods with an understanding of sourcing credible, relevant data to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and apply these to the broader social, economic and environmental urban processes
- apply creative spatial thinking and innovation approaches in a range of settings and scales while critically presenting design ideas and research results to explain, interpret and evaluate the impact of a specific complex Urban Design solution
- communicate clearly and concisely using a range of media to present, explain, and interpret design propositions, methodologies, conclusions, professional decisions and urban analysis to diverse audiences.
Graduate skills
The Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching courses assist all its graduates to be:
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- effective and ethical in work and community situations
- adaptable and able to manage change
- aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing.
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Fees are estimates for students commencing in 2023 only: Tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year. Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
Admission to the Graduate Certificate of Urban Design will require one of the following:
- successful completion of the Swinburne Bachelor of Design (Architecture) or
- successful completion of the Swinburne Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) with a major in Architectural or
- successful completion of the Swinburne Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours) with an Advanced Minor in Architecture or
- successful completion of another three year undergraduate architectural course*.
*In the case of completing another three year undergraduate architectural course, a review of prior learning in relation to the Swinburne Bachelor of Design (Architecture) will be necessary. Supplemental transitionary classes may be required.
Selection will be made using a Range of Criteria which can include (but not be limited to):- a pre-selection kit requiring submission of an on-line portfolio (between 10 and 20 pages) **
- a personal motivation statement
- university transcripts.
**Pre-selection kit: Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of between 10 and 20 pages, which must address architecture- and/or urban design-related questions and include visual examples; and provide a 200-400 word written statement, the prompts for which can be found on the application portal.
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, 3d models or working drawings that display your thinking process.
Your portfolio will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- conceptual thinking and level of ambition in your projects;
- spatial thinking, planning and a sense of scale;
- digital and analogue communication skills, including the use of architectural drawing conventions; and
- construction and environmental technology.
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 and urban design.
All work must be original. All images must be clearly labelled. In the case of work that has involved others, such as group work or work with a design practice, clearly indicate what your contribution was.
Portfolios will be reviewed on a standard computer screen. Please ensure legibility accordingly.
To submit your portfolio, you’ll need to complete your online application first. We’ll then send you a link so you can upload your portfolio to Slide Room.