Bachelor of Architectural Studies (Pathway to Master of Architecture)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2025
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You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 70.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,B
TAFE/RTO: AdvDIP
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2024 Cut-Offs
TAFE/RTO: Dip
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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
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
Degree overview
- The Bachelor of Architectural Studies provides a strong practical grounding in architecture that is industry and career focused.
- Complete a Bachelor of Architectural Studies and a professionally accredited Master of Architecture in five years of full-time study and graduate with the qualifications necessary to seek future registration as an ‘architect’.
- Learn from internationally-renowned and experienced teachers with industry-leading expertise and experience and world-class leaders in research - UniSA's research in design is ranked world-class1
- Benefit from our strong relationships with local, national and international architectural practices through experienced practitioner teachers and professional placement learning experiences. Study at the No.1 university in South Australia for Graduate Careers in Architecture2
- Work in award-winning, purpose-designed facilities including dedicated design studios and workshops.
- Engage in real-life projects through our unique award-winning student courses, where you will collaborate in designing and building real-world projects across Australia - the longest-running and largest practice-based teaching of its type in Australia.
- UniSA is home to Australia’s only architecture museum filled with over 200,000 items, including records, drawings, and photographs of Australian architecture.
- UniSA is No.1 in SA for graduate skills in Architecture3.
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities4, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
1Results in Design Practice and Management - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
2ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22, Architecture and Built Environment – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate and Postgraduate). SA public universities.
3ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Architecture and Built Environment – Skills Development Indicator (Undergraduate and Postgraduate). SA public universities.
4UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
Guarantee* your future place in postgraduate studies in architecture through our Fast-track to Masters package. Study a Bachelor of Architectural Studies and a professional accredited Master of Architecture, and graduate in just five years of full-time study and with the qualifications necessary to seek future registration as an ‘architect’.
As part of this packaged program, you will:
- Learn from highly-respected and skilled educators with real-world experience that will teach you the critical foundational skills and knowledge necessary to shape the sustainable environments of tomorrow.
- Study a globally competitive undergraduate degree focusing on the relationship between architecture, communication, technology, culture, and the natural and built environments.
- Complete the professionally accredited Master of Architecture and gain advanced skills and knowledge in architecture design and professional architectural practice in the contemporary workplace.
- Master your technical and communication skills and solve increasingly complex design problems focusing on the environment, construction, and cultural, ethical, and regulatory contexts.
- 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.
- Learn in the project-based architectural design studio where your skills and knowledge are applied to real and speculative design projects drawn from industry, developing your relevant real-world learning experiences and enabling you to productively transition into your professional working careers after graduation.
- A career in architecture is immensely rewarding and gives you the opportunity to shape and transform the built environment around you. Our highly successful graduates work across the globe, from award-winning local architectural practices to international practices with offices across the world.
A career in architecture is immensely rewarding and gives you the opportunity to shape and transform the built environment around you. Our highly successful graduates work across the globe, from small boutique practices to leading international architectural practices.
Want to look at other options available to you? UniSA offer a wide range of other Fast-track to Masters programs.
*Academic criteria apply.
What you'll learn
Your undergraduate degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge to understand design principles and methods; building structures and construction systems; digital design and communication methods; sustainable design strategies; and the social and cultural histories that shape our world.
You’ll gain the skills needed to design architectural environments that range in scale and complexity and develop:
- Research methods and skills to integrate theoretical, behavioural, environmental, and ethical issues within your architectural projects
- Understanding of the social and political context of architecture
- Verbal, written, and graphic communication skills, including traditional drawing methods and 2D and 3D computer-based representation skills that will enable you to explore your designs using Virtual and Augmented Reality and game engine environments such as Epic’s Unreal.
- Conceptual and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge in contemporary design culture.
The Master of Architecture will advance the skills and knowledge you gain in the undergraduate degree and provide you with the opportunity to develop specific areas of interest. 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, or research-focused elective studies.
Both degrees have a strong practical focus – in design studio classes you will:
- Design complex projects informed by contemporary architectural practice and construction
- Undertake research and hands-on learning through industry-led and practically focused coursework.
To successfully graduate from the Master 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, Context, and Integration in addition to research and professional practice coursework that ensures you are career ready.
Complete both degrees to graduate with the qualifications necessary to seek future registration as an ‘architect.’
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate assessment through both speculative and practical learning activities that are designed to provide you with professional agility to respond to any challenge your career in Architecture throw at you, primarily in the form of:
- Design-based architectural and urban projects of varying scales and complexities presented and assessed through design portfolios and oral presentations
- Research and analysis into architecture and cultural history and design precedent, including Aboriginal and First Nations, presented and assessed through essays, reports, and oral presentations
- Research and analysis into contemporary architectural practice and the professional regulations that impact its effective operation through reports and assignments
- Demonstrating 2D and 3D skills in composing digital and analogue drawings and models, including Virtual & Augmented Reality and game engine environments.
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Bachelor of Architectural Studies (Pathway to Master of Architecture)
This Fast-track to Masters package guarantees* your future place in postgraduate studies in architecture.
Both degrees balance design thinking and practicality, and have a widely recognised industry focus on graduate employability.
You’ll 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 of architectural buildings of varying functions, scales, and complexities. You’ll 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 community 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).
*Academic criteria apply.
Study Architecture at UniSA
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.
Your career
Architects are creative problem solvers by nature. They immerse themselves in new design technologies and construction materials, and push boundaries of what is possible. They work collaboratively with their clients and other planning, design, and construction-related professionals to realise their client’s design imagination. A career in architecture is rewarding because you get the opportunity to shape and transform the world around you.
Careers to consider:
• *Architect: combine creative design with technical knowledge to create sustainable solutions for the built environment
• Urban designer: design at the urban scale and participate in educating civic leaders and the public about shaping our streets, suburbs, and cities
• Heritage consultant: develop sustainable re-use practices in design to protect and maintain heritage projects and sites of important ongoing cultural value
• Project or construction manager: involves initiating, planning, and managing a team to deliver projects of varying scales and complexities
* The Bachelor of Architectural Studies (DBAE) is a recognised pathway program to professionally accredited Master of Architecture qualifications (or equivalent) across Australia and New Zealand. The Master of Architecture qualification (or equivalent) is required under the Architectural Practice Act (SA, 2009) to seek future registration as an ‘architect’ in South Australia. 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.
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
Alternative Pathways
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
Deferment
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Scholarships
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.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
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.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
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. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
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.
Postgraduate
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.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
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.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
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.
