Bachelor of Architectural Design (3753)
- Approved Abbreviation: BArchDes
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 3753
- AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 097540C
This program applies to students who commenced in 2018 or later.
The Bachelor of Architectural Design provides students with a combination of skills and knowledge required by contemporary architects. This program of study aligns with the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) National Standard of Competency for Architects in the areas of design, documentation, project delivery and practice management across five knowledge domains; regulatory, social and ethical, environmentally sustainable, communication and disciplinary. The program focuses on producing graduates who can synthesise and evaluate information from across associated disciplines, undertake architectural design and apply design thinking to complex projects in a global marketplace.
Effective career professionals require a broad range of understandings to allow them to connect and work with colleagues across many disciplines. To assist students to flexibly build their career pathways, the Bachelor of Architectural Design provides a range of free electives from areas of interest across the University in addition to opportunities to work alongside industry/community partners to consolidate their learning and develop invaluable career networks.
Parts of this program may be taught at the Parramatta City - Hassall St or at the Parramatta South campus.
Study Mode
Three years full-time or six 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 Campus | Full Time | Internal | See above |
| Parramatta City Campus | Part Time | Internal | See above |
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 link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Admission
Assumed knowledge: HSC English Standard (or higher), and Science and/or Mathematics (Band 4 or above).
Recommended studies: Art, design, technology, and/or professional studies.
Alternate Entry: Where academic requirements are not met, entry by review of a PDF portfolio of works demonstrating creative ability will be considered. Portfolios will be assessed by the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment on a qualitative basis.
Guidelines for Portfolio submission
The aim of a creative portfolio is to demonstrate your range of skills necessary to be successful in the Bachelor of Architectural Design. 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 begin your study of architecture.
The portfolio may include:
- Freehand drawings and sketches - include samples of your architectural sketches of interesting buildings.
- Creative production - need not be limited to ‘architectural’ works but can include: photography, sculpture, freehand drawing, mechanical drafting or CAD modelling, woodwork or technical arts, music scores, creative writing, dramatic performance or dance, and other forms of creative or professional endeavour.
- Statement of your architectural interests - a 1 page statement of your interests in architecture including buildings and architects that inspire you.
- 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:
- Maximum 10 page PDF file showing visual evidence of creative ability. Images should be labelled and dated, with brief descriptions of the work to clarify as required (max 25 words per image).
- Maximum 5MB file size
- Colour or black and white
- A4 portrait or landscape
- No embedded hyperlinks. Static files only. No security or password protection on the file
- Cover sheet with your name, email address, and phone number and 100 word maximum description of the creative content, explanation of any exceptional circumstances, and articulation of why the field of architecture is of interest
- Save the PDF file using the following name format: B_Arch_Design_SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_portfolio.pdf
- For example, B_Arch_Design_SMITH_JOHN_portfolio.pdf
All work submitted to be applicants own work.
Local applicants: Do NOT email your portfolios to WSU. You must upload your portfolio to your UAC application or Direct application.
International applicants: A PDF portfolio is required for all international applicants. Portfolios must be uploaded to your Studylink application.
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International 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.
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.
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.
Note Regarding Professional Accreditation
The program is designed to meet all the requirements of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia and in conjunction with the proposed Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) program. The professional pathway to registration in architecture in Australia requires a minimum 5 year sequence including a three year Bachelors, a 2 year Master of Architecture and a nominal 2 year (3300 hrs) professional practice internship under the supervision of a registered practising architect of which 1650 hours can be during their study years. Successful completion of the Bachelor of Architectural Design will enable students to apply for entry into the Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) program at Western Sydney University and may be eligible to apply to other accredited architecture program providers dependant on their entry requirements. Students who do not wish to proceed to the Masters program will still obtain a qualification that will assist with employment in the broad industry as part of building design teams and other allied disciplines in creative arts and professional services.
Special Requirements Prerequisites
Students are required to obtain a General Construction Induction Card (“white card”) to facilitate construction site visits as part of the program. This can be obtained independently or through a coordinated effort of program staff during new student orientation. Detailed information will be provided to students. It is expected Induction Cards will be obtained during the first year of study, and will be a requirement to enrol in Year 2.
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.
Students are encouraged to take a voluntary placement. Please contact the Course Advisor for information.
Program Structure Current
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence.
Students must complete:
- Eight 10 credit point core subjects
- Six 20 credit point core studio subjects
- Four elective subjects
Parts of these subjects may be taught at the Parramatta City - Hassall St campus or at the Parramatta South campus.
Sequence Current
This sequence applies to students who commenced in Spring 2023 or later. If you commenced prior to 2023 please refer to the Sequence 2022 tab for details.
Full-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| ENGR 1046 | Human Centred Design Research Methods | 10 |
| ENGR 1038 | Design Graphics: Presenting Innovation | 10 |
| ARCH 2001 | Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Analogue Design | 20 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| BLDG 1009 | Environmental Building Design | 10 |
| ARCH 2002 | Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Digital Design | 20 |
| BLDG 1015 | Residential Building | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 1008 | Cities: Introduction to Urban Studies | 10 |
| ARCH 3004 | Architecture Studio - Rethinking the Sub-urban | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 3003 | Architecture Studio - Rethinking Urbanism | 20 |
| BLDG 1014 | Non-Residential Building | 10 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 4002 | Energy Efficiency in Buildings | 10 |
| ARCH 3002 | Architecture Studio - Global Cities | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ENVL 2001 | Analysis of Spatial Data | 10 |
| ARCH 3005 | Architecture Studio - The Infrastructural | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 240 | |
Full-time mid-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring session | Credit Points | |
| BLDG 1009 | Environmental Building Design | 10 |
| BLDG 1015 | Residential Building | 10 |
| ARCH 2002 | Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Digital Design | 20 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ENGR 1046 | Human Centred Design Research Methods | 10 |
| ARCH 2001 | Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Analogue Design | 20 |
| ENGR 1038 | Design Graphics: Presenting Innovation | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| BLDG 1014 | Non-Residential Building | 10 |
| ARCH 3003 | Architecture Studio - Rethinking Urbanism | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 1008 | Cities: Introduction to Urban Studies | 10 |
| ARCH 3004 | Architecture Studio - Rethinking the Sub-urban | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ENVL 2001 | Analysis of Spatial Data | 10 |
| ARCH 3005 | Architecture Studio - The Infrastructural | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ARCH 4002 | Energy Efficiency in Buildings | 10 |
| ARCH 3002 | Architecture Studio - Global Cities | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 240 | |
Equivalent Subjects
The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2023 or earlier.
CIVL 4003 Construction Technology 5 (Envelope), replaced by ARCH 4002 Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Minor elective spaces
Elective subjects may be used toward obtaining an additional approved minor (40 credit points). Western Sydney University offers minors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.
Global Sustainability Minor
Indigenous Australian Studies Minor
Western Sydney University also offers the following innovative transdisciplinary Challenge Minors which we encourage those students who have elective space to consider.
Equitable Technologies
Urban Evolution
Migration and Global Change
Personal Innovation
Innovating, Creating and Problem Solving
Eco-Socially Conscious Design and Manufacturing
Water for Life
Climate Justice
Creative and Visual Communication
Global Workplaces
Innovating For Humans
Creative Living for Cultural Wellbeing
Ideate.Strategise.Innovate.
Humanising Data
For more information, visit the Challenge Minor website.
Students can apply for an elective minor via Western Now.
Sequence 2022 - Autumn 2023
If you commenced in 2023 or later please refer to the Sequence 2023 tab for details.
Full-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| ENGR 1046 | Human Centred Design Research Methods | 10 |
| ENGR 1038 | Design Graphics: Presenting Innovation | 10 |
| ARCH 2001 | Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Analogue Design | 20 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| BLDG 1009 | Environmental Building Design | 10 |
| ARCH 2002 | Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Digital Design | 20 |
| BLDG 1015 | Residential Building | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 1008 | Cities: Introduction to Urban Studies | 10 |
| ARCH 3004 | Architecture Studio - Rethinking the Sub-urban | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ARCH 3003 | Architecture Studio - Rethinking Urbanism | 20 |
| BLDG 1014 | Non-Residential Building | 10 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CIVL 4003 | Construction Technology 5 (Envelope) | 10 |
| ARCH 4002 Energy Efficiency in Buildings will replace CIVL 4003 from Autumn 2024 | ||
| ARCH 3002 | Architecture Studio - Global Cities | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| ENVL 2001 | Analysis of Spatial Data | 10 |
| ARCH 3005 | Architecture Studio - The Infrastructural | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 240 | |
Full-time mid-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring session | Credit Points | |
| BLDG 1009 | Environmental Building Design | 10 |
| BLDG 1015 | Residential Building | 10 |
| ARCH 2002 | Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Digital Design | 20 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| ENGR 1046 | Human Centred Design Research Methods | 10 |
| ARCH 2001 | Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Analogue Design | 20 |
| ENGR 1038 | Design Graphics: Presenting Innovation | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| BLDG 1014 | Non-Residential Building | 10 |
| ARCH 3003 | Architecture Studio - Rethinking Urbanism | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 1008 | Cities: Introduction to Urban Studies | 10 |
| ARCH 3004 | Architecture Studio - Rethinking the Sub-urban | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| ENVL 2001 | Analysis of Spatial Data | 10 |
| ARCH 3005 | Architecture Studio - The Infrastructural | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| CIVL 4003 | Construction Technology 5 (Envelope) | 10 |
| ARCH 4002 Energy Efficiency in Buildings will replace CIVL 4003 from Autumn 2024 | ||
| ARCH 3002 | Architecture Studio - Global Cities | 20 |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 240 | |
Replaced Subjects
The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2019 or earlier.
301030 - Introduction to Industrial Design Methods
301074 - Graphics 1: 2D and 3D Industrial Design Communication
300706 - Building 1
300707 - Building 2
Minor elective spaces
Elective subjects may be used toward obtaining an additional approved minor (40 credit points). Western Sydney University offers minors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.
Global Sustainability Minor
Indigenous Australian Studies Minor
Western Sydney University also offers the following innovative transdisciplinary Challenge Minors which we encourage those students who have elective space to consider.
Equitable Technologies
Urban Evolution
Migration and Global Change
Personal Innovation
Innovating, Creating and Problem Solving
Eco-Socially Conscious Design and Manufacturing
Water for Life
Climate Justice
Creative and Visual Communication
Global Workplaces
Innovating For Humans
Creative Living for Cultural Wellbeing
Ideate.Strategise.Innovate.
Humanising Data
For more information, visit the Challenge Minor website.
Students can apply for an elective minor via Western Now.