Why Bachelor of Architectural Design?
Architects are big thinkers, pairing design ability with technical innovation to shape the built environment of tomorrow.
Working with clients and organisations, architects bring human and community needs, aesthetics, technology, ethics and the environment together to create enjoyable and functional buildings and spaces for living, working, and other uses. Whether you’re a design enthusiast or eager to contribute to the future built environment, an architectural design degree will set you up for a variety of diverse and fulfilling careers. An ever-evolving profession that is constantly in demand, there’s no limit to where architectural design could lead you.
Overview
Make an impact with your creative problem-solving abilities in the broad ranging field of architecture, where you could do anything from helping to preserve treasured heritage sites to designing inclusive and sustainable architecture of the future.
The Bachelor of Architectural Design will equip you with the problem-solving skills and creative expertise needed to tackle design challenges through an ethical understanding of culture and the natural environment.
You’ll learn how to design projects of varying scales and complexities, overcoming obstacles to deliver sustainable solutions. You’ll become an effective communicator, understanding how to co-design projects that realise your client’s vision.
Key features
Explore the world around you and understand how humans create spaces within it.- Develop creative and architectural knowledge based on innovative research and active partnerships with industry.
- Learn essential skills like hand-drawing, physical and digital modelling, graphic techniques and programming.
- Study in purpose-built studios and access the same software and digital tools used in professional practice.
- Learn from highly respected educators with real-world experience.
- Continue your studies through a Master of Architecture, which can lead to professional registration as an architect.
What you'll learn
The Bachelor of Architectural Design is your entry into the study of architecture. You’ll study coursework that will develop your skills and understanding of design principles and methods; building structures and construction systems; digital design and communication methods; sustainable design strategies; and the social and cultural history that shapes our world.
Through this degree, you’ll study Undergraduate Core courses that are common to all architecture degrees.
You’ll study tailored subjects in areas such as:
- Architectural Design Studios
- Design and Digital Communication
- Environmental Design
- Architectural Construction and Technology
- Architectural Design History, Theory and Cultures.
You’ll also have the opportunity to broaden your thinking through cross-disciplinary electives in areas like design and construct, construction management, graphic and communication design art, and animation. This will enable you to work with diverse teams, build communication skills, and realise the integral relationship between architectural design and other creative disciplines.
A selection of architectural design studios embed work integrated learning with real world projects. Led by experienced practising architects, you’ll consolidate your learning by applying contemporary design thinking, strategies, and practices in activities you’d be expected to complete in your future workplace.
This degree will also help you to enhance your employability by developing essential interpersonal, communication, cultural literacy and professional collaboration skills that can be applied to any industry.
Master pathways
Looking to take the next step in your architecture studies? The Bachelor of Architectural Design is the primary pathway to a Master of Architecture, which leads to future registration as an architect.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 90 units for Core courses, and
- Either:
- 36 units for one Major from Major, or
- 36 units for all Discipline courses, and
- 18 units for Electives
Complete 90 units for either of the following:
- Both of the following:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 72 units for all Program core, or
- 90 units for all Program core [packaged with Master of Landscape Architecture]
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Design Studio (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Design Communication (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Design Construction (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Home)
|
Course code
ARCH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Cultures
|
Course code
ARCH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)
|
Course code
ARCH2004
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communications
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Communication)
|
Course code
ARCH2011
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Architectural Theory
|
Course code
ARCH2000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Design Studio (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Communication (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Construction (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Home)
|
Course code
ARCH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Cultures
|
Course code
ARCH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)
|
Course code
ARCH2004
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communications
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Communication)
|
Course code
ARCH2011
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Architectural Theory
|
Course code
ARCH2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Tectonics)
|
Course code
ARCH3001
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Multi-storey Technologies
|
Course code
ARCH3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Context and Cultures)
|
Course code
ARCH3013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Environmental Ecologies and Systems in Architecture
|
Course code
ARCH3014
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 36 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Tectonics)
|
Course code
ARCH3001
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Multi-storey Technologies
|
Course code
ARCH3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Context and Cultures)
|
Course code
ARCH3013
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Ecologies and Systems in Architecture
|
Course code
ARCH3014
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Design Studio (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Communication (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Construction (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Home)
|
Course code
ARCH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Cultures
|
Course code
ARCH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)
|
Course code
ARCH2004
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communications
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Communication)
|
Course code
ARCH2011
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Architectural Theory
|
Course code
ARCH2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Tectonics)
|
Course code
ARCH3001
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Multi-storey Technologies
|
Course code
ARCH3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Context and Cultures)
|
Course code
ARCH3013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Environmental Ecologies and Systems in Architecture
|
Course code
ARCH3014
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Major name | |
|---|---|
|
|
Major
Urban Planning
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Design Studio (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Communication (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Construction (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Home)
|
Course code
ARCH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Cultures
|
Course code
ARCH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)
|
Course code
ARCH2004
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communications
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Communication)
|
Course code
ARCH2011
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Architectural Theory
|
Course code
ARCH2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Tectonics)
|
Course code
ARCH3001
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Multi-storey Technologies
|
Course code
ARCH3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Context and Cultures)
|
Course code
ARCH3013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Environmental Ecologies and Systems in Architecture
|
Course code
ARCH3014
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 12 units from Program electives, and
- 6 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Design Construct on Site
|
Course code
ARCH1013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Design Construct in the Workshop
|
Course code
ARCH1014
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Study Tour
|
Course code
ARCH3016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Urban Regeneration
|
Course code
ARCHX305
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Design Studio (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Communication (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Construction (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Home)
|
Course code
ARCH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Cultures
|
Course code
ARCH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)
|
Course code
ARCH2004
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communications
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Communication)
|
Course code
ARCH2011
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Architectural Theory
|
Course code
ARCH2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Tectonics)
|
Course code
ARCH3001
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Multi-storey Technologies
|
Course code
ARCH3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Context and Cultures)
|
Course code
ARCH3013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Environmental Ecologies and Systems in Architecture
|
Course code
ARCH3014
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
You’ll graduate with the ability to develop and professionally implement design ideas. You might design eco-friendly social housing for a growing community. You could engage in public policy, sparking new ideas and strategies to ensure heritage sites are kept intact and their cultural significance valued. Perhaps you might help build the next landmark building or design a world-class concert hall.
Your career pathways may include:
- Architect (with further study)
- Landscape architect (with further study)
- Architectural graduate
- Draftsperson
- Urban designer
- Environmental designer
- Architectural technician
- Heritage consultant.
The Bachelor of Architectural Design is a recognised pathway to the Master of Architecture. A Masters qualification (or equivalent) is required to seek future registration as an ‘architect’. Only those practitioners registered with the relevant registration authority are entitled to use the title architect by law.
Industry trends
Living harmoniously with nature has never been more crucial as we see the impacts of climate change on communities in Australia and abroad. Environmental concerns are a driver for many industries, with architects deemed critical to the transition to a clean energy workforce (Jobs and Skills Australia, April 2024). As the world’s population continues to grow, people with the skills to support shifting societal needs will be in-demand to create homes, buildings and community spaces. Increased demand for housing has seen Australia experience a national shortage of architects, and significant future demand is expected (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024).
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
