Bachelor of Architectural Design
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 3 years Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$36,480 (2018 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
RMIT Architecture has an international reputation for design excellence and leads the way both in Australia and overseas by producing graduates that are design innovators.
Your first step in becoming an architect
This program is the first step to becoming an architect and will help you develop an understanding of architecture providing you with a diverse set of skills and learning experiences.
You will focus on learning the core skills required of an architect and architectural designer and intensively develop a broad grounding in design and communication skills.
You'll learn from internationally recognised and award-winning architects. alongside visiting national and international experts, consultants and specialists.
Design is at the core of your studies
Ideas-led venturous design exploration is at the core of your studies. You'll combine experimental and speculative design with real-life industry linked projects that will help you develop an innovative approach to architecture.
From first term, first semester you will be hands-on in design studios developing your drawing, 2D and 3D design skills. You'll learn in an environment that models the best practice of an innovative architectural design firm.
RMIT Architecture achieves at the highest levels
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 2017 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 Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) by the STHDI and MCR consortium (Silver Thomas Hanley, DesignInc and McBride Charles Ryan) won this year’s highest honour: the coveted AIA Victorian Architectural Medal and the William Wardell Award for Public Architecture
- Architecture Adjunct Professor Robert McBride is the Director of MCR and the fourth RMIT Adjunct 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.
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.
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.
From first term, first semester you will be hands-on in design studios developing skills in drawing, 2D and 3D design and learning in an environment that models the best practice of a local or international design firm.
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.
Design studios model 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.
Design studios typically makes up half the program each semester and are taught in small groups. You will focus on a particular theme and project each semester. After the first semester, you’ll be able to select which design studio you wish to follow from approximately 20 on offer, completing one per semester during the course of your studies.
Courses that support your studio learning
Supporting courses such as technology, communication and history comprise the remainder of your program and give you an understanding of the social and physical contexts of the built environment, as well as teaching you drawing skills.
In your first semester, you will complete a structured foundational design and communications course.
Subsequent semesters include four ’lower pool’ design studios. In the final semester of study, you will move into ’upper pool’ and complete an upper pool design studio working with Master of Architecture students.
Study in the Master degree consists of three additional upper pool design studios, general elective courses and supporting courses such as professional practice.
Lower and upper pool studios are vertically integrated, that means you'll be grouped with students from various year levels.
All programs are delivered in English. You will have access to online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Learn from internationally recognised and award-winning architects.
RMIT Architecture is well known for its strong, long-standing links with industry. Design studios are delivered by academic staff as well as sessional staff from innovative practices, or visiting international practitioners and academics.
In the design studio context you will also have the opportunity to work on real world projects with local and international community and industry partners. Many public lectures are also held throughout the year, led by prominent local and international architects and urban designers.
Recent studio partners include
- RMIT Associate Lecturer Amy Muir
MUIR Architecture - RMIT Associate Professor Paul Minifie and Dr Jan van Schaik (lecturer)
MvS Architects - RMIT Professor of Architecture Carey Lyon
Lyons Architecture - RMIT Adjunct Professors Howard Raggatt and Ian McDougall
ARM Architecture
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
This program 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.
Other recent design studios have included collaborations with students in Berlin, Germany and architecture practices in Shanghai, China.
This program forms part of a five year specialist degree, made up of the three year Bachelor of Architectural Design plus the two year Master of Architecture by coursework.
The Bachelor program offers a range of opportunities in which to develop a strong knowledge base in the field and experience the architectural design process.
From first term, first semester you will be hands-on in design studios developing your drawing, 2D and 3D design skills and learning in an environment that models the best practice of an innovative architectural design firm.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Architectural Design | City Campus |
3 years full time
|
3 years full time
|
BP250 | 060830J |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP250
Career
The undergraduate program is a stand-alone award that provides employment options for those who seek to work in architectural practices or design more generally, in roles that do not require professional registration. Students must complete the Master of Architecture to be eligible to apply for accreditation as an architect.
Careers
- architect
- urban designer.
Admissions
Mid-year entry available to advanced standing applicants only.
You must have:
- successfully completed at least one year of tertiary study in architecture, interior design, industrial design, landscape architecture, graphic design, art or fashion design or
- successfully completed an Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) or Diploma of Drafting/Building Design with a grade point average (GPA) of 4 (80-100/HD) achieved in the final year. If you have not achieved the required GPA for guaranteed entry you will be required to participate in an interview. You will be contacted by 31 May with the date, time and instructions for the interview.
RMIT is committed to admissions transparency. View the 2018 ATAR distribution information for our degrees and information about how admissions work at RMIT:
This program has limited spaces and complete applications must be submitted by 1 December (in any given year) for Semester 1, and 1 April (in any given year) for Semester 2 in order to be considered. Selection will be competitive based on your pre-selection kit or folio and interview.
Applicants applying for the Semester 2 intake must have previous studies in a relevant discipline.
Semester 1 intake
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification).
For information on international qualifications and corresponding entry requirements that are equivalent to an Australian Year 12, see the Entry requirements by country web page.
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Semester 2 intake
This intake is only open for applicants with previous relevant studies.
You must have
- successfully completed the RMIT Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) with a grade point average (GPA) of 4 (80-100/HD) achieved in the final year
OR
- completed a minimum of one year tertiary study in a design discipline e.g. architecture, interior design, industrial design, landscape architecture, graphic design, art or fashion design.
Entry requirements
You must complete and submit the Architecture selection task by Wednesday 31 May 2018. Once you submit your online application, you will be prompted to complete the selection task.
The selection task will comprise of the following:
- a digital folio
- a CV
- a short statement outlining your motivations and aspirations for studying architecture.
Applicants are shortlisted based on the selection task. Short-listed applicants must attend a folio presentation in June.
Digital folio requirements
Your folio should include 3 to 5 projects. For each project include a brief description of the project intent, some developmental work (drawings, models, renderings, sketches etc.) and a series of images of the final outcome. You are also encouraged to include photographs of 3D models and mock-ups. You may include up to one page of projects completed in architectural work-related project experience, but this is not essential. If you choose to do this it needs to be clearly differentiated and labelled. Your folio must be uploaded as a single PDF (maximum file size 10MB) or you may supply a URL to your single PDF if hosted online. Each project may have up to 4 pages dedicated to it (no more than 20 pages for the entire folio). It is important to demonstrate in your folio how you have engaged in the creative process and how these efforts respond to the constraints and issues inherent in the project. The folio will demonstrate your development of creative ideas in a logical sequence. Projects can include work from previous study, as well as your own projects. Include any projects that demonstrate your potential to follow a design process. Projects that demonstrate an ability to realise a 3D outcome are encouraged.
Art and Design application tips
View the following videos for some practical application advice:
Semester 1
Complete the Architecture pre-selection kit unless you have successfully completed the following:
- RMIT Foundation Studies program (Art, Design and Architecture stream) or
- an Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) or Diploma of Drafting/Building Design or
- a minimum of one year tertiary study in a design discipline e.g. architecture, interior design, industrial design, landscape architecture, graphic design, art or fashion design
If you have completed any of the above then you are exempt from completing the pre-selection kit. Instead you will need to submit the following with your application:
- Folio (The folio must demonstrate your breadth of talent in design)
- CV
- academic transcript
- letter outlining your reason for applying
Interview
Short-listed and exempt applicants are required to participate in a video interview. These applicants will be contacted by email with instructions regarding their interview.
Semester 2
If you have completed the Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) you may be required to participate in an interview. You will be contacted by 1 May with the date, time and instructions for the interview.
If you have completed the relevant tertiary study you must submit a folio, CV and a statement with your application. Short-listed applicants will be required to participate in an interview. You will be contacted by 1 May with the date, time and instructions for the interview.
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 92 (with minimum of 20 in all sections)
- 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
From your degree to the masters
The Bachelor of Architectural Design provides a pathway into the Master of Architecture, and is also portable into professional programs in architecture with a similar structure agreement.
Guaranteed entry into the masters
A GPA of 2.5 or greater will guarantee a place in the Master of Architecture, while those students with a GPA of less than 2.5 may apply for a place.
You’ll also have the option to study the Master of Urban Design upon completion of the Bachelor of Architectural Design.
When you successfully complete the Bachelor of Architectural Design and achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5, you are guaranteed entry into the Master of Architecture. If you achieve below the minimum GPA, you may still apply and will need to attend an interview. You will be assessed on a case by case basis.
When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate program.
Fees
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available.
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
As a CSP student, you may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which allows you to defer payment of up to 100% of your student contribution.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
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 2018
| Student contribution band by course (subject) | Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2018 |
|---|---|
| Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing | $6,444 per standard year $805 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $9,185 per standard year $1,148 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Band 3: law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science |
$10,754 per standard year $1,344 per standard (12 credit point) course |
HECS-HELP
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to 100% of their student contribution.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your 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.
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 2018 is $298.
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 2017 is AU$36,480.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2017 commencement is AU$117,120.
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.