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.

Is your course available for Midyear entry?

Starting midyear means getting your study goals under way before the year is over. Semester 2 begins Monday 29 July, 2024.

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

CRICOS course code
095610K
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400211223
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400211221
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

Study architecture

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 or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score

80.0

2023 lowest rank to receive an offer [before adjustment pts.]

61.95

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 bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

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

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. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

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.

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.

15
Core units
+
4
Elective units
=
3-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.

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, 12.5 credit points
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, 12.5 credit points
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, 12.5 credit points
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, 12.5 credit points

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$8,948

Total fee* ($AUD)

$26,844

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$41,240.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply to 2024 unit enrolments for HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) 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.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

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 2024.

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 in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 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.

Representatives and agents
BA-ARC
Search for agents

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.

Course code
BA-ARC
Apply directly
Course code
BA-ARC
CRICOS code
095610K
Apply directly

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.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400211221
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400211223
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events
Swinburne Innovation Challenge
26-June-2024

Student work

  • '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