Bachelor of Design (Architecture) | Courses | Swinburne University

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From Bauhaus to brutalism, suburbia to skyscrapers; architecture is more than just buildings. Concerned with both form and space, process and performance, mass and light, perception and comfort, Architecture shapes the ways we live and connect.

Throughout a Bachelor of Design (Architecture) at Swinburne, you'll study a range of concepts and skillsets under the guidance of world-renowned academics in a variety of settings, from classrooms to workshops and design studios.

Across three years – and through units in design, construction, cultural contexts and more – you will master the software used in cutting-edge firms, retrace the history of the craft, get hands-on experience with industry partnerships and placements, and work with innovative and sustainable building materials that are changing the world.

With access to Swinburne’s ProtoLAB, a state-of-the-art digital fabrication and design workshop equipped with 3D printers, collaborative robots and laser cutters, you’ll have all the tools at hand to become a designer of the future.

You'll build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs, which are a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees and can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects. In this degree, in units Architectural Design Studio 5 and Professional Practice 1: BIM (ARC30002 and ARC30004), you’ll collaborate with and learn from industry specialists.

ATAR 80 2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

Semester 1 - 27 February 2023

View application and start dates

Duration

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Full-time, Part-time

VTAC codes

3400211221 (CSP)
3400211223 (IFP)

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.

Student Work

'Perspectives' project, by second year Architecture students
'Perspectives' project, by second year Architecture students
'Outside In' project
'Outside In' project
'Flutter' project
'Armar Curvar' project by second year Architecture students
'Koi' project by third year Architecture students
‘Interlocking Wave’ project by second year Architecture students

Course details

- Course structure, work integrated learning and career opportunities.

Course structure

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.
View course rules and special requirements

Core studies

15 units (250 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Contexts of Architectural History	ARC10003	12.5
Introductory Design Studio	DDD10006	12.5
Construction 1: Building Systems and Materials	DIA10001	12.5
Architectural Communication 1	DIA10005	12.5
Architectural Design Studio 1 (Communication)	ARC10001	25
Architectural Design Studio 2 (Construction)	ARC20001	25
Architectural Design Studio 3 (Socio-economic Contexts)	ARC20002	25
Cross Cultural Contexts	ARC20003	12.5
Construction 2	DIA20001	12.5
Digital Documentation 1	DIA20003	12.5
Construction 3	DIA30001	12.5
Architectural Design Studio 4 (Construction) *	ARC30001	25
Architectural Design Studio 5 *	ARC30002	25
Architectural Communication 2 *	ARC30003	12.5
Professional Practice 1: BIM (Building Information Management) *	ARC30004	12.5

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

Other studies

4 units (50 credit points)

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

– Work Integrated Learning + Minors + Elective units + Signature Series

Work Integrated Learning

Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.

Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.

Professional Placement in Design

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience In Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A – Design	DDD20031	25
Work Experience In Industry B	WEI20002	25
Integrated Professional Placement B – Design	DDD20032	25

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.

Professional Placement in Design

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience In Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A – Design	DDD20031	25

A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!

You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.

Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.

Minors (50 credit points)

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Introduction to Animation	ANI10001	12.5
Introduction to Character and Environment Design	ANI10004	12.5
Action Analysis and Locomotion	ANI10006	12.5
Anatomy and Physiology	BIO10004	12.5
Packaging Design	DCO10003	12.5
Visual Communication Studio	DCO10007	12.5
Product Visualisation 1: 2D and 3D Exploration	DID10001	12.5
Digital Presentation and Computer Ideation	DID10002	12.5
User Centered Design	DID10004	12.5
Entrepreneurship and Opportunity	ENT10001	12.5
Introduction to Management	MGT10001	12.5
Fundamentals of Marketing	MKT10007	12.5
Built and Sustainable Communities	PEH20004	12.5
History of Ideas	PHI10001	12.5
Environment and Society	SOC10005	12.5
Health and Disease Across the Life Course	BIO20004	12.5
Typography for Print and Interactive Publication	DCO20009	12.5
Lean Startup Springboard	ENT20006	12.5
Startup Funding and Investment	ENT20008	12.5
Integrated Marketing Communication	MKT20021	12.5
Consumer Behaviour	MKT20025	12.5
Business and Society	ORG20002	12.5
Organisational Behaviour	ORG20003	12.5
Environmental Philosophy	PHI20001	12.5
Furniture Design	DDD30004	12.5
Publication Design	DDD30013	12.5
Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation	ENT30012	12.5

Signature Series

A Swinburne education prepares you for life. That’s why we’ve developed the Swinburne Signature Series. It’s a suite of study opportunities that embody Swinburne’s ethos – of confidence, clarity and adventure. These opportunities give our students something extra; whether that’s a new perspective on the world through a Study Tour unit, an expanded sense of possibilities through our Innovation Minor, or a deeper understanding and respect for culture through our Indigenous Minor. Like Swinburne University itself, our Signature Series will grow and adapt to reflect the evolving issues of the day.

Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Architecture), graduates will be able to:

resolve a wide array of design challenges by formulating and actualising innovative design ideas in a series of stages from conception to finished design
interpret and understand knowledge of the global, ethical, socio-economic, cultural and historical contexts that produce contemporary architectural practice
demonstrate a critical awareness of and responsibility towards the impact of all aspects of architectural practice, design and delivery on natural resources and apply strategies to minimise their impact
effectively communicate innovative design concepts and outcomes through visual, verbal and written platforms according to audience
demonstrate comprehensive understanding of regulations, standards and codes and apply them to the relevant aspects of architectural practice, design, and delivery
demonstrate understanding of players involved in all aspects of architectural practice, design and delivery and perform necessary project management roles, and responsibilities throughout design and construction building processes
demonstrate comprehensive understanding of structural systems and construction documentation modes and apply them to the relevant aspects of architectural practice, design, and delivery.

Career opportunities

Graduates may enter the workforce globally – in architecture roles for private and corporate architecture firms, government organisations, development companies or in the building and design sector.

Fees

- Fees for 2022.

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

2022 rate*	Estimated total cost of the course	Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time*	Amenities fee per year if studying full-time*
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)	$24,063	$8,021	See how your SSAF is calculated

Fees are estimates only: The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2022 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. Students who participate in a six or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.

Find out more about fees.

How to enter this course

- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Entry requirements

2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 80

Successful completion of one of the following:

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 diplomas, associate degrees or degree.

Course prerequisites

VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.

Non- Year 12 entry other requirements

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.
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne for general information about the admission 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.

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Progress from these courses to Bachelor of Design (Architecture)	Maximum amount of credit available
Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)	7 units
Diploma of Design (UniLink) (8 months)	4 units

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.

Learn more about pathways.

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. Learn more about credit.

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. Learn more about RPL.

How to apply

Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.

View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.