Architectural Design

Monash Architecture is all about the bigger picture, and how architecture integrates with urban design and urban planning.Examine buildings within their larger urban or regional environment and in the context of a changing planet and develop the future-forward skills and knowledge to contribute to the common good of society, and a sustainable and equitable world.

The breadth and diversity of an architectural education can prepare you for a range of different career pathways. You’ll need the subsequent Masters of Architecture degree to become a registered architect.

Graduates from our combined (Bachelor of Architectural Design and Master of Architecture) degrees can work in drafting and designing within small to large scale private practices and for government. Graduates may work on projects of different scales from homes, to housing complexes and from public facilities to entertainment precincts and the urban design of cities. Some become specialists - in heritage buildings, sustainable design or disaster relief.

Architecture graduates can also pursue opportunities including roles in government as policy advisors, project management, property or community development. It is also possible to branch out further to building components, architectural writer and commentator, game and set designers and other jobs which contribute to shaping the built environment.

Course Structure

In combination with our Architectural Design studios, which are the backbone of the course and provide the basis for integrating and learning different aspects of architecture, you will learn about architecture through several perspectives and knowledge areas. Architectural Performance, History and Theory, and Communications units provide comprehensive foundations for putting architectural ideas to work in the world. See below descriptions for more information.

Architectural Design Studios

Design studios are the core of our architectural education. The studio creates a collaborative environment to explore design approaches through projects that respond to briefs, issues and different constraints. The ‘studio’ models the way architects work with clients, teams, and stakeholders in an iterative process to achieve an outcome. Studios address contemporary urban and architectural issues and are taught by practising architects or academics (many are also both).

Each semester there is a range of studio options available that mirror the diversity of architectural approaches and ways of practising. This enables you to develop personal interests and shape your professional pursuits. The breadth of studio topics on offer each semester allows you to develop skills in specific areas, expand your understanding of architectural possibilities and gain experiences that align with your curiosity and career aspirations.

Studios align with a different theme and vary each semester. Themes span from exploring design processes to developing careful observation and critical propositions, and from materialising architectural ideas to addressing relationships between architecture and the city. The sequence of themed studios prepares you to engage with a range of complex projects and issues in the subsequent Master of Architecture course.

Explore some of our most recent studios

Architectural Performance

Architectural performance units focus on understanding a host of technical issues that support the realisation of design ideas. You’ll learn how material, structural, constructional and environmental issues shape the built environment and impact the way we live.

Through this suite of three units, you will discover how buildings stand up, how they keep us dry and comfortable, what they can be made out of, how they go together, and how they can contribute to creating healthy and sustainable environments. These units provide you with the knowledge and vocabulary to collaborate with other professionals in the creation of building projects.

Architecture Communication

Learn how to explore and express your design ideas through a range of representational tools. Through two units undertaken in the first year, you will gain foundations in drawing, computer-aided drafting (CAD), digital modelling, physical modelling, presentation layout, and graphic communication. Communication skills and tools will be further developed and expanded through subsequent design studios and third year architecture elective options. These units prepare you to confidently present your work to clients and communities with confidence - just like architects do in the industry.

Electives

The university has a wealth of options to help broaden your education. Choose from literally hundreds of electives that can complement and develop your interests and help you achieve your career goals. You can delve deeper into contemporary architecture or venture into other areas of artistic practice like glass making, sculpture, painting, or sound and video art. You can explore Design subjects like branding, furniture, multimedia or web design. You can also go further afield and study a language, accounting, marketing, or explore a range of other units on offer across the other Monash faculties.

Qualifications

Equivalent Australian Year 12

Recent secondary education

ATAR requirements

ATAR

82.6

Note Lowest Selection Rank to which an offer was made

75

Note Monash guarantee for 2021 entry

72.65

Note Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made

*Conditions apply for the Monash Guarantee.

ATAR Calculator Monash is committed to admissions transparency. View the ATAR and student profiles for this course.

Subject prerequisites

All applicants must satisfy the following prerequisites or their equivalents.

Australian VCE subjects

English

Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in English other than EAL

Maths

N/A

Sciences/Other

N/A

IB subjects

English

At least 4 in English SL or 3 in English HL or 5 in English B SL or 4 in English B HL

Maths

N/A

Sciences/Other

N/A

VET Study

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites.

VET Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma graduates: To be considered, applicants will normally require at least 60% average. Preference may be given to students whose prior studies are related to the course in which they are seeking admission. Programs that involve competency-based assessment without grades or marks will not meet the admission requirements.

Entire academic recordThis course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Higher education

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites.

University: Two single units at an Australian higher education institution satisfy minimum entry requirements, but more units may be useful for selection, especially in areas of study related to the course in which admission is being sought.

Entire academic recordThis course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Work and life experience

Multiple pathways to this course

Applicants who have successfully completed Year 12 are eligible to apply for this course.

Applicants with no formal secondary or tertiary qualifications are not eligible to apply for this course. This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

There are many ways to gain entry to a course at Monash. If you don't meet our entry requirements, there are pathways to help. More about alternative pathways...

Additionally, we recognise that some applicants may have experienced difficulties that have disadvantaged them when applying for university. We offer a range of special admissions schemes that may help you gain entry to your chosen course, including pathways for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. .More about special admissions schemes...

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites

Alternative qualifications and prerequisites

For other domestic and international qualification entry requirements and scores for this course based on your prior studies, use the study credit and admissions eligibility search.

English requirements

Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7 and Monash Graduate Attributes. Upon successful completion of the course it is expected that you will be able to:

1.

engage imagination, creativity, analysis and critical judgement in resolving design issues

2.

independently develop design strategies and concepts, refined through an iterative process of reflection

3.

communicate design ideas verbally and visually through multiple media

4.

demonstrate critical awareness of building materials, construction processes and structural service systems and their integration into professional architecture practice

5.

engage reflectively with other professionals involved in the design, development and construction of the built environment within an ethical and environmentally-aware framework

6.

critically assess international architectural discourses and speculative design theories and engage with design research

7.

integrate global and local practices and understanding in the process of design.