Master of Architecture
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
Mode
On-campus
Alternative Entry
The University may admit other applicants who provide satisfactory evidence of academic achievement which the University recognises as equivalent to a completed Bachelor of Architectural Studies.
1ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Architecture and Built Environment – Learning Resources Indicator (Undergraduate and Postgraduate). SA public universities.
2Results in Design Practice and Management - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
3ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22, Architecture and Built Environment – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate and Postgraduate). SA public universities.
4UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.
This professionally accredited degree provides advanced skills and knowledge in architecture design and how it relates to the environment, culture, and design and construction technologies.
A focus on student-directed learning will also see you specialise in a specific area of interest through your choice of electives streams from Sustainable Design, Design Construct, Planning and Urban Design, or Construction and Project Management, or choose electives focusing on research, national and international study tours, and industry experience.
Our highly successful graduates work across the globe, from award-winning local architectural practices to international practices with offices around the world.
This master-level degree will provide you with advanced knowledge and understanding of design principles and methods; building structures and construction systems; digital design and communication methods; sustainable design strategies; how contemporary architectural practice operates; and the social and cultural histories that shape our world, including Aboriginal and First Nations cultural practices.
This degree has a strong practical focus – in design studio classes you will design complex projects informed by contemporary architectural practice and construction, as well as undertake research and hands-on learning through industry-based professional placements and industry-led and practically-focussed coursework.
To successfully graduate from this degree, you must complete a total of eight core courses (54 units) and four electives (18 units); including advanced design studios that focus on the Environment, Construction, and Context, and integration of supporting courses focusing on design-based research and, how professional architectural practices operate.
Four elective courses offer you the opportunity to develop specific areas of interest in Design Construct, Planning and Urban Design, Construction and Project Management, or Sustainable Design, further complimented by electives focusing on research, national and international study tours, and industry experience through professional placements.
With a strong balance between design thinking and practicality, and a widely recognised industry focus on career-ready graduate employability, you will develop your advanced skills and knowledge of architecture through architectural design studios that teach you how to apply complex concepts and design methods to the design or architectural buildings of varying functions, scales, and complexities. In addition, you will take part in national and international study tours with multi-disciplinary design collaborations with other students, and learn from industry-led workshops, masterclasses, and professional placements in the best architectural offices across South Australia.
You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in unique award-winning Design Construct coursework, where you’ll collaborate, design, and build projects in locations across Australia and overseas with students from other design disciplines. Some of the projects students have designed and built include the visitor accommodation at Port Resolution (Tanna Island, Vanuatu); Aboriginal ranger accommodation and research facilities in Fish River (Northern Territory, Australia); and accommodation and research facilities at Witchelina Station (South Australia, Australia).
Hear about Andrew's experience studying a Master of Architecture at UniSA.
Architects are creative problem solvers by nature. They immerse themselves in new design technologies and construction materials and push the boundaries of what is possible. They work collaboratively with their clients and other planning, design, and construction-related professionals to realise their clients' design imagination. A career in architecture is rewarding because you get the opportunity to shape and transform the world around you. Our graduates are also in demand, with UniSA ranked No.1 in South Australia for graduate careers in architecture1. Careers to consider:
* The professionally accredited Master of Architecture qualification is required under the Architectural Practice Act (SA, 2009) to seek future registration as an ‘architect’ in South Australia and New Zealand. Only those practitioners registered with architectural registration boards in each State and Territory in Australia, including the Architectural Practice Board of South Australia, are entitled to use the title ‘architect’ by law. Graduates of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies, or equivalent qualifications from other education providers, may apply for entry into the Master of Architecture.
1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22, Architecture and Built Environment – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate and Postgraduate). SA public universities.
This program is professionally accredited by the Architectural Practice Board of South Australia, endorsing the architecture qualifications of graduates required for registration as an architect. Accreditation demonstrates the achievement of relevant competencies from the AACA National Competency Standards in Architecture.
The Australian Institute of Architects recognises the program, endorsing architecture qualifications required for membership of the AIA, including student and graduate membership. Recognition of the program demonstrates compliance with the Institute's Education Policy Performance Criteria.
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
As an architecture student, you will have access to:
Architects fulfil a critical role in society through shaping the environment in which we live. Architecture brings together the technical, the cultural and the creative – a combination that makes studying and working in architecture challenging, and incredibly rewarding.
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
Hear from UniSA graduates and Co-Founders/Directors of Studio Gram, Dave Bickmore and Graham Charbonneau, about their experiences studying Architecture at UniSA and how it has helped them reach their career goals.
Hear from Chris as he shares his experiences studying at UniSA and his journey as a Master of Architecture graduate.
Hear about Subook and Harshada's experiences studying Architecture at UniSA.
William Yuan
Adam Jack
Adrian Conterno
Cheuk Pong Yan
Christopher Pongrac
Emerson Walker
Emerson Walker
Emerson Walker
Katarina Jovanovic
UniSA Architecture students constructing visitor accommodation for a remote Vanuatu community so that tourism will help local villagers afford education for their children.
Leading academics talk about art, architecture and design at the University of South Australia.
Forge 2016 is a celebration of the work done by Master of Architecture and Interior Architecture graduates.