Admission to the MArch (Arch Des)

Over and above the normal admission requirements for the Master of Architecture program, applicants for the MArch (Arch Des) wishing to undertake the Design Major (plan ARCHBS8142) are normally required to have a Bachelor of Architecture, or equivalent degree in Architecture, leading to professional registration.

However, applicants with equivalent education, background, or experience in allied fields will be considered for admission to the MArch in the History/Theory Major (plan ARCHDS8142), or in the Computing Major (plan ARCHAS8142).

Applicants for the Design Major must show that their average performance in design studio and design related undergraduate courses matches or surpasses UNSW credit grade. A minimum of one year of work experience in an architectural or building design office since graduation is highly desirable. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of their undergraduate work and their work since graduation supported with letters from employers describing the role of the applicant in the work shown in their portfolio.

Students in the MArch (Arch Des) program must undertake core courses totalling 36 UOC and electives totalling 12 UOC. In special cases, students may take another combination of courses towards their core with the agreement of the Program Director.

The MArch (Arch Des) program requires the completion of two studio based Architectural Design Projects totalling 24 UOC. Note that, except for these higher value Project courses all other core courses are of 6 UOC and elective courses are either of 3 or 6 UOC.

Candidates wishing to undertake the MArch (Arch Des) program on a part-time basis must note that the studio-based design courses (Architectural Design Project 1 & 2) are session-specific courses and must be completed in the session in which they are scheduled.

Required Academic Courses

Students with an architecture or design related professional degree pursuing the Design Major must take the following combination of courses:

Core:
Listed Design Application courses, totalling 24 UOC.
Listed Design related courses, totalling 12 UOC.

Elective:
Listed Elective courses, or Design Application, or Design related courses not taken as Core, totalling 12 UOC, or with the approval of the Program Director, other courses totalling up to 12 UOC within the Faculty of the University.

The Architectural Design Charette depends on the availability of an international architect/designer/theorist. It is offered only in the Summer (November/January) session, and only when advised by the Program Director.