Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) (3761)
- Approved Abbreviation: MArch
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 3761
- AQF Level: 9
CRICOS Code: 099363K
This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.
Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.
For Commencement Year 2021- please refer to:3761.2 Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation)
For Commencement Year 2020 - please refer to:3761.1 Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation)
This program will prepare graduates for professional activities in the field of architecture. Particular emphasis is placed upon developing mastery of architectural design through studio-based teaching in the context of urban transformation and urban reconstruction opportunities of greater metropolitan Sydney and comparable global conditions. Students are required to complete an urban transformation project which is relating to the Greater Western Sydney region to demonstrate their ability to think independently, critically and to resolve complex design issues. Additional studies in urban and contemporary architectural theory, building and design technology, electives, and professional practice constitute the overall degree.
Students enrolled in the Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) should anticipate expenses of approximately $200 per semester for model-making materials and large format plotting costs. All students must have their own laptop when commencing the course (minimum 8GB RAM, 512GB Hard Drive, multi-core processor, and high performance graphics card).
Completion of the Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) will prepare students seeking to undertake doctoral level study with the necessary qualification to seek admission as a higher degree by research candidate.
Parts of this course may be taught at the Parramatta City - Hassall St campus or at the Parramatta South campus.
Study Mode
Two years full-time or four years part-time.
Program Advice
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parramatta City - Macquarie Street | Full Time | Internal | See above |
| Parramatta City - Macquarie Street | Part Time | Internal | See above |
Accreditation
The Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) at Western Sydney University is a professionally accredited course recognized and listed as such by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA).
http://www.aaca.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Accredited-Architecture-qualifications.pdf
Graduates from the Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) who have completed two years of practical architectural experience, of which at least one year is postgraduate architectural experience, will be eligible to undertake the Architectural Practice Examination, successful completion of which will result in eligibility for registration as an architect in Australia.
Work Integrated Learning
Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.
There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
International students should also refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students
There are three key approaches undertaken for Work Integrated Learning experiences including:
- Design Studios for Work-based training: Design problems in an Architectural Design Studio whereby the project is a real life problem in industry. Students may work individually or in teams to integrate multiple aspects of (project/problem-based) learning with the practice of work in addressing the industry’s needs. Students will be located in the WSU Design Studio for weekly sessions. Full time academic staff member who will be the Studio Leader will supervise sessional tutors who are practising architects.
- Professional Practice/Industry Placements: During the final year of the Masters degree, students will undertake a research and design thesis that will be supervised by academic staff. Additionally, students will be paired with an industry mentor to help provide guidance and relevance to industry needs, opportunities, and futures.
- Guest lectures, site visits, and office visits will provide additional exposure to current industry practice and developments in the field.
Admission
Applicants must
have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or, higher, in architecture with a minimum GPA of 5 or equivalent.
submit a portfolio that meets the following criteria **
** WSU Architecture program graduates do not need to include a portfolio.
Guidelines for Portfolio submission
The aim of an architectural portfolio is to demonstrate your range of skills necessary to be successful in the Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation). The portfolio should include your best work that is carefully arranged in a professional and creative layout. A good portfolio will readily convey your enthusiasm, commitment, and readiness to study architecture at the Masters level, and your ambition to be an architect.
The portfolio should include
1. Samples of architectural projects: at least 3 significant architectural projects from your undergraduate/postgraduate study. Include an explanation of the project with all relevant drawings (plans/ sections/ 3D views) as well as illustrations of models.
2. Freehand drawings and sketches: include samples of your design sketches and creative drawings/ artworks/ photography etc. demonstrating your skills in graphic communication.
3. Technical drawing: include samples of your technical construction drawings.
4. Statement of your architectural interests: a 1 page statement of your interests in architecture including buildings and architects that inspire you.
5. Letters of reference: include at least 1 reference letter from a relevant person who can attest to your character, skills, and work ethic.
Submission formatting and uploading of portfolio
o Electronic submission (see below for uploading the portfolio)
o Cover sheet with your name and contact details (email address and phone number)
o Colour or black and white – A4 (portrait or landscape)
o No embedded hyperlinks. Static files only. No security or password protection on the file
o Maximum 5MB file size (high quality of approximately 10 pages A4 PDF showing the candidate’s own past creative work and/or any relevant work experience)
o Save the PDF file using the following name format: M_Arch_SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_portfolio.pdf
For example, M_Arch_SMITH_JOHN_portfolio.pdf
You must upload your portfolio to your UAC application or via direct application through the Western Sydney portal. Refer to the Western Closing Dates page for application deadlines:
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/dates/closing_dates
Do NOT email portfolios.
Where any work is authored by more than just the applicant, this needs to be clearly identified and credited (such as collaborative projects).
Additional information
International applicants must also provide a full transcript of their undergraduate studies.
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.
International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Special Requirements Prerequisites
A construction safety site induction card (e.g. “white card”) is required to enable students to participate in site visits and field study.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.
Parts of these units may be taught at the Parramatta City - Hassall St campus or at the Parramatta South campus.
Recommended Sequence
Full-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1H session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7015 | Practice Research Studio Civic | 20 |
| ARCH 7007 | Advanced Design Communication | 10 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| 2H session | ||
| HUMN 4002 | Researcher Development 2: Proposing and Justifying Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7016 | Practice Research Studio Housing | 20 |
| ARCH 7008 | Integrated Building Technology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7017 | Urban Transformation Studio Local | 20 |
| ARCH 7003 | Managing Cities: History and Theory | 10 |
| BLDG 7007 | Interpreting Building Regulations (Residential Buildings) | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7019 | Urban Transformation Studio Global | 20 |
| ARCH 7018 | Architectural Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Part-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1H session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7007 | Advanced Design Communication | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| 2H session | ||
| HUMN 4002 | Researcher Development 2: Proposing and Justifying Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7008 | Integrated Building Technology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7015 | Practice Research Studio Civic | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7016 | Practice Research Studio Housing | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7003 | Managing Cities: History and Theory | 10 |
| BLDG 7007 | Interpreting Building Regulations (Residential Buildings) | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7018 | Architectural Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7017 | Urban Transformation Studio Local | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7019 | Urban Transformation Studio Global | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Full-time mid-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2H session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7016 | Practice Research Studio Housing | 20 |
| ARCH 7008 | Integrated Building Technology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| 1H session | ||
| HUMN 4002 | Researcher Development 2: Proposing and Justifying Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7015 | Practice Research Studio Civic | 20 |
| ARCH 7007 | Advanced Design Communication | 10 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7019 | Urban Transformation Studio Global | 20 |
| ARCH 7018 | Architectural Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7017 | Urban Transformation Studio Local | 20 |
| ARCH 7003 | Managing Cities: History and Theory | 10 |
| BLDG 7007 | Interpreting Building Regulations (Residential Buildings) | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Part-time mid-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2H session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7008 | Integrated Building Technology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| 1H session | ||
| HUMN 4002 | Researcher Development 2: Proposing and Justifying Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7007 | Advanced Design Communication | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7016 | Practice Research Studio Housing | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7015 | Practice Research Studio Civic | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7018 | Architectural Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7003 | Managing Cities: History and Theory | 10 |
| BLDG 7007 | Interpreting Building Regulations (Residential Buildings) | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7019 | Urban Transformation Studio Global | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7017 | Urban Transformation Studio Local | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Alternate Subjects
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 7020 | Cool Green Cities | 10 |
| ARCH 7001 | Developing Sustainable Places | 10 |
| BLDG 7006 | Financing Cities in the Global Economy | 10 |
| ARCH 7014 | Health, Wellbeing and Place | 10 |
| PUBH 7023 | Safe and Sustainable Construction | 10 |
| INFO 7019 | Smart Construction | 10 |
| ARCH 7005 | Urban Management Practice: Governance and Power in the City | 10 |
| BLDG 7008 | Professional Practice and Building Law | 10 |
| Select any other Level 7 elective subject with permission of Director Academic Program | 10 | |
Equivalent Subjects
The subjects listed below count towards completion of this Program for students who passed these subjects in 2021 or earlier.
ARCH 7013 - Green Urbanscapes: Bio-Physical Functions and Services
INFS 7005 - Smart Construction
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.
Recommended Sequence
Full-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1H session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7015 | Practice Research Studio Civic | 20 |
| ARCH 7007 | Advanced Design Communication | 10 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 6001 | Urban Transformation Research Project | 10 |
| ARCH 7016 | Practice Research Studio Housing | 20 |
| ARCH 7008 | Integrated Building Technology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7017 | Urban Transformation Studio Local | 20 |
| ARCH 7003 | Managing Cities: History and Theory | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7019 | Urban Transformation Studio Global | 20 |
| ARCH 7018 | Architectural Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Part-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1H session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7007 | Advanced Design Communication | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7008 | Integrated Building Technology | 10 |
| ARCH 6001 | Urban Transformation Research Project | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7015 | Practice Research Studio Civic | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7016 | Practice Research Studio Housing | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7003 | Managing Cities: History and Theory | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7018 | Architectural Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7017 | Urban Transformation Studio Local | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7019 | Urban Transformation Studio Global | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Full-time mid-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2H session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7016 | Practice Research Studio Housing | 20 |
| ARCH 7008 | Integrated Building Technology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 6001 | Urban Transformation Research Project | 10 |
| ARCH 7015 | Practice Research Studio Civic | 20 |
| ARCH 7007 | Advanced Design Communication | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7019 | Urban Transformation Studio Global | 20 |
| ARCH 7018 | Architectural Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7017 | Urban Transformation Studio Local | 20 |
| ARCH 7003 | Managing Cities: History and Theory | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Part-time mid-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2H session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 4001 | Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7008 | Integrated Building Technology | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 6001 | Urban Transformation Research Project | 10 |
| ARCH 7007 | Advanced Design Communication | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7016 | Practice Research Studio Housing | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7015 | Practice Research Studio Civic | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7018 | Architectural Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7003 | Managing Cities: History and Theory | 10 |
| Select one Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 7019 | Urban Transformation Studio Global | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 7017 | Urban Transformation Studio Local | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
Alternate Subjects
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 7020 | Cool Green Cities | 10 |
| ARCH 7001 | Developing Sustainable Places | 10 |
| BLDG 7006 | Financing Cities in the Global Economy | 10 |
| ARCH 7014 | Health, Wellbeing and Place | 10 |
| PUBH 7023 | Safe and Sustainable Construction | 10 |
| INFO 7019 | Smart Construction | 10 |
| ARCH 7005 | Urban Management Practice: Governance and Power in the City | 10 |
| BLDG 7008 | Professional Practice and Building Law | 10 |
| ARCH 5001 | Urban Architecture Project | 10 |
| Select any other PG elective subject with permission of Director Academic Program | 10 | |