Master of Architecture
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 2 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 2 years Location
Melbourne City
Overview
RMIT Architecture has an international reputation for design excellence and leads the way both in Australia and overseas by producing graduates who are design innovators.
With a strong focus on ideas-led venturous design exploration, RMIT’s Master of Architecture will assist you to develop a sophisticated understanding of architecture, while providing you with a diverse set of advanced skills and learning experiences.
You’ll continue to develop the core skills of architectural design learnt in the degree to an advanced level. You will enhance your understanding of architecture and design-based research, acquire diverse skills, undertake a wide variety of learning experiences and gain critical awareness of your own work.
RMIT Architecture and its graduates continue to achieve at the highest levels and are acknowledged by the national and international architectural profession.
At the annual 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards run by the Australian Institute of Architects, RMIT’s architecture community featured prominently across the 58 awards and 16 categories, receiving a number of key and prestigious awards.
Key achievements
- The New Academic Street (NAS) by Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects won this year’s highest honour: the coveted AIA Victorian Architectural Medal and the Henry Bastow Award for Educational Architecture.
- RMIT Professor Carey Lyon is the Director of Lyons and the fifth RMIT Professor in a row to lead prestigious Victorian Medal-winning projects
- M@ STUDIO Architects, a research-led practice lead by RMIT Professor Vivian Mitsogianni and Dean Boothroyd with staff, alumni and current students was awarded the 2017 AIA Melbourne Prize for their NGV 2016 Architecture Commission win.
- RMIT Lecturer Ben Milbourne was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects 2017 Victorian Emerging Architect Prize.
- Graduate Ton Vu was one of 10 students worldwide shortlisted for The Architectural Review’s “Global Architecture Graduate Awards“, and the only candidate to make the list from an Australian or New Zealand university.
The Master of Architecture is the next step on the path to becoming a design architect with professional accreditation.
Top 3 reasons to be part of RMIT Architecture
- Study in design-focused and practical, hands-on studios that model industry best-practice
- Learn from local and international leading architects in small classes and design studios
- Be immersed in an urban design laboratory in Melbourne, Australia's design capital
Details
It’s all centred around learning through design studios
RMIT Architecture’s highly celebrated design studios are situated within an urban campus, which means you will be immersed a laboratory of design exploration and at the centre of innovation.
Studios are located across the city campus and within the multi award-winning RMIT Design Hub designed by RMIT architecture alumni Sean Godsell. Design studios are one of the major reasons that makes RMIT Architecture and its graduates so highly regarded by industry.
What is a Design Studio?
Design studios provide a unique way of exploring ideas by challenging future designers. Studios are run by academics and practicing design leaders from local and international architectural and design firms.
The design studio model emulates the best practice of local and global design firms. The studios allow you to explore design, connect with your peers, industry and integrate with other disciplines.
Studios make up the majority of this program and are taught in small groups. You select which design studio you wish to follow from approximately 20 options, completing one per semester during the course of your studies.
Each design studio focuses on a particular theme and project per semester. In your final year you will complete a design thesis project of your choice, which is referred to as your ‘major project’. This project will develop on the research outcomes reached at the conclusion of your architecture studies.
You can undertake studios and seminars in other programs such as landscape architecture, interior design and industrial design, as well as in the urban design and digital design research areas. This will foster pathways into our postgraduate Master of Urban Design.
Recent Studio Partners:
- RMIT Associate Lecturer Amy Muir – MUIR Architecture
- RMIT Professor of Architecture Carey Lyon – Lyons Architecture
- RMIT Associate Professor Paul Minifie and Dr Jan van Schaik (lecturer) – MvS Architects
- RMIT Adjunct Professors Howard Raggatt and Ian McDougall – ARM Architecture
- Sandra Manninger & Matias del Campo – SPAN Architects Vienna, Detroit, Shanghai
- Tom Verebes – OCEAN CN Studio, Beijing.
RMIT Architecture has a huge range of international exchange agreements with universities in the USA, Europe and Asia. You’ll also have the opportunity to choose design studios that require overseas travel, to work with students from international universities.
Recent design studios have included collaborations with students in Berlin, Germany and architecture practices in Shanghai, China.
RMIT’s Global Mobility supports students to undertake an exchange or short-term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Architecture | City Campus |
2 years full-time
|
2 years full-time
|
MC163 | 060829B |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC163
Career
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian architecture specific bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification). You will be selected competitively based on your grades and folio.
If you are applying for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) you must submit your application by 10 November. Selection for Commonwealth Supported Places is competitive, based on your selection task. You will receive an outcome for your CSP application in late December.
Entry requirements
If you have successfully completed the Bachelor of Architectural Design from RMIT University with a GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 or above, you are guaranteed entry into Master of Architecture. You do not need to submit a selection task.
If you have completed the Bachelor of Architectural Design from RMIT University with a GPA less than 2.5 out of 4.0 or another architecture specific Bachelor degree from a different institution, you will be required to submit a selection task by 1 November comprising:
- a personal statement outlining motivation for applying for the program (maximum one A4 sheet)
- curriculum vitae: personal details, academic achievements and professional experience (any work experience you are currently undertaking)
- academic transcript – a transcript of academic results from previous or current studies
- folio (see below).
Please note: The link to submit the selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
Short-listed applicants only will be required to attend an interview in December.
Folio
The folio should include a package of images, drawings, sketches, paintings, models, photographs, computer work, etc. of personal creative/design projects as well as concepts/ideas that lead to the final design piece.
Digital folios must be formatted as an A3 or A4 size PDF document with a maximum 30 pages and must not exceed a file size of 10MB. Alternatively, you can provide a URL to your single PDF if hosted online (please provide the username and/or password if applicable).
- If you have successfully completed the Bachelor of Architectural Design from RMIT University with a GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 or above, you are guaranteed entry into Master of Architecture. You do not need to submit a selection task.
- If you have completed the Bachelor of Architectural Design from RMIT University with a GPA less than 2.5 out of 4.0 or another architecture specific Bachelor degree from a different institution, you will be required to submit the following with your application:
- Digital folio: Your folio should include a package of images, drawings, sketches, paintings, models, photographs, computer work, etc. of personal creative/design projects as well as concepts/ideas that lead to the final design piece. Digital folios must be formatted as an A3 or A4 size PDF document with a maximum 30 pages and must not exceed a file size of 10MB. You may also upload a link to your folio.
- Personal statement: You are required to submit a one page statement outlining your motivation for applying for the program (maximum one A4 sheet).
- Curriculum vitae: You are required to submit a CV including your personal details, academic achievements and professional experience (any work experience you are currently undertaking).
- Interview: All applicants must record and submit a brief video addressing the questions below:
Selection video questions
Part 1 (maximum time: 1 minute)
Please tell us about your motivations and interests:
- Introduce yourself and tell us what you are doing currently (studying, working, travelling).
- Why do you want to study the Master of Architecture at RMIT University?
Part 2 (maximum time: 3 minutes)
Describe the projects in your folio.
- Explain the ideas and concepts behind the projects. Please include any references or projects which have influenced your design ideas.
- Explain how you have developed these ideas into your final submission. Please include any references or projects which have influenced your design ideas.
Video upload requirements
- Videos must be no longer than 4 minutes. For reasons of equity we will stop watching the video after 4 minutes so please adhere to the time limit.
- We will not be scoring or judging the quality of the video so you can record this video using your phone or other suitable devices.
- Please upload your video to an external site (e.g. Dropbox, WeTransfer, Google Drive, WeChat, Weibo, Youku or Tudou).
- Send message via the online applicant portal with the username and password to access your video if applicable. Please use your application number as part of your username.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Fees
Entry for this program is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).
Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.
2020 indicative annual fees
- Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$6,684 to AU$11,155*.
- Full-fee places: AU$37,440*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$308* maximum fee for 2020.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
*Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
In 2020, the annual student contribution amount you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,684 to AU$11,155.
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2020
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2020 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,684 per standard year $835 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,527 per standard year |
|
$11,155 per standard year |
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP, HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or the Department of Human Services for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2020 is $308.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2020 is AU$41,280.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$84,480.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.