Program Overview

Bachelor of Architectural Design (3753)

Overview

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.

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.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence.

• Eight 10 credit point core subjects
• Six 20 credit point core studio subjects
• Four elective subjects

Sequence

Full-time start-year intake

Year 1:

• Autumn: ENGR 1046 Human Centred Design Research Methods, ENGR 1038 Design Graphics: Presenting Innovation, ARCH 2001 Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Analogue Design
• Spring: BLDG 1009 Environmental Building Design, ARCH 2002 Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Digital Design, BLDG 1015 Residential Building Year 2:
• Autumn: HUMN 1008 Cities: Introduction to Urban Studies, ARCH 3004 Architecture Studio - Rethinking the Sub-urban, Select one elective
• Spring: ARCH 3003 Architecture Studio - Rethinking Urbanism, BLDG 1014 Non-Residential Building, Select one elective Year 3:
• Autumn: ARCH 4002 Energy Efficiency in Buildings, ARCH 3002 Architecture Studio - Global Cities, Select one elective
• Spring: ENVL 2001 Analysis of Spatial Data, ARCH 3005 Architecture Studio - The Infrastructural, Select one elective

Full-time mid-year intake

Year 1:

• Spring: BLDG 1009 Environmental Building Design, BLDG 1015 Residential Building, ARCH 2002 Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Digital Design
• Autumn: ENGR 1046 Human Centred Design Research Methods, ARCH 2001 Architecture Studio - Fundamentals of Analogue Design, ENGR 1038 Design Graphics: Presenting Innovation Year 2:
• Spring: BLDG 1014 Non-Residential Building, ARCH 3003 Architecture Studio - Rethinking Urbanism, Select one elective
• Autumn: HUMN 1008 Cities: Introduction to Urban Studies, ARCH 3004 Architecture Studio - Rethinking the Sub-urban, Select one elective Year 3:
• Spring: ENVL 2001 Analysis of Spatial Data, ARCH 3005 Architecture Studio - The Infrastructural, Select one elective
• Autumn: ARCH 4002 Energy Efficiency in Buildings, ARCH 3002 Architecture Studio - Global Cities, Select one elective

Accreditation Note

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.

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.

Special Requirements

Students are required to obtain a General Construction Induction Card ("white card") to facilitate construction site visits as part of the program.

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.