Bachelor of Architectural Studies

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
DBAE

SATAC Code
424441 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 70.00 (for 2024)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 70.00 (for 2025)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): AdvDIP
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma level or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Architectural Studies Degree qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of
knowledge necessary for contemporary architectural practice and as a pathway to the professionally accredited
Master of Architecture program and to other areas of further learning including higher degrees by research. The
program focuses on the relationship between architecture, communication, technology, culture and
the environment through theoretical and practical application in the design studio.

Content & Structure

Graduates of a Bachelor of Architectural Studies will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth
in the underlying architectural principles and concepts that serve as a basis for involvement through various
stages of a building project, from its design and documentation through to its construction and beyond.

Graduates will develop research and methodological skills to integrate theoretical, technological, behavioural,
environmental and ethical issues within architectural practice; cognitive and creative skills to develop the design
of buildings of a range of scales and complexities in their environmental, social and political context; verbal,
written and graphic communication skills including traditional drawing methods and computer based
representation; cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge in
contemporary design culture, with an emphasis on current architectural practice internationally and in Australia.

The students will complete 108 units of study with Year 1 and Year 2 establishing basic skills and concepts in
design theory, creativity, environmental awareness, communication and technology, and Year 3 developing
competence in core subject streams.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Design Studio (Foundation)	ARCH 1034	9
Design Construction Principles	ARCH 1007	4.5
Design, Culture and Environment	ARCH 1021	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Architectural Design Studio (Dwelling)	ARCH 1032	9
Architectural Documentation	ARCH 1033	4.5
Architecture and Environment	ARCH 1020	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Architectural Design Studio (Context)	ARCH 2051	9
Design Communications (Digital)	ARCH 2053	4.5
Architecture and Modernity	ARCH 3053	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Architectural Design Studio (Communications)	ARCH 2052	9
Design Construction Multistorey	BUIL 2006	4.5
Advanced Design Media	ARCH 3054	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Architectural Design Studio (Construction)	ARCH 3049	9
Architecture and Technology	BUIL 3004	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4,5 or 6)
Architectural Design Studio (Integrated)	ARCH 3050	9		Rule(s): 2
Architecture and Ecology	ARCH 3028	4.5		Rule(s): 2
Contemporary Design Theory	ARCH 2021	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students are not permitted to take two Design Studios or Architectural Design Studios concurrently.

2. This course contributes to a Planning and Urban Design minor. Graduates of Bachelor of Architectural Studies who have completed a Planning and Urban Design minor will receive 18 units of credit into the Master of Urban and Regional Planning. Student must enrol in ARCH 5011 as their elective to complete the minor.

3. This program requires students to purchase additional materials at their own cost as part of their Program Materials Kit. Information regarding the program kit will be provided to students during their Program Orientation and should be purchased at the earliest opportunity.

4. Any variations to the sequence of study requires approval from the Program Director.

Notes

1. All students must complete one Elective as part of their undergraduate program. The Elective may be studied in any Study Period (1 - 7), not necessarily as specified in the above program schedule. The Elective may be chosen from any discipline within the University. See undergraduate elective courses.