Bachelor of Building Design

Victoria University

About

As a student in the new Bachelor of Building Design, you’ll use innovative processes and practices of an architectural design studio to solve problems creatively, and determine solutions for a better future.

Modern computer labs, design studios, site visits and interaction with industry practitioners will take you into 'real life' situations with industry briefs.

In this three-year Bachelor of Building Design degree, you will study and develop skills in:

building design (architectural) building legislation and auditing building codes environmentally sustainable construction techniques and materials building services professional practice and communication.

These skills will prepare you as a confident and capable building industry professional.

You will also take classes alongside students from building design, construction management, building surveying and engineering programs.

By studying in multidisciplinary teams in a studio-based learning environment you will work with allied professions in the building industry right from the beginning of your studies.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Building Design, students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

  • 96 credit points First Year Core studies;
  • 192 credit points Professional Core and Capstone studies.

Course structure and units

First Year Core Units

  • Maths for Builders Unit code NBC1101 Credits12
  • Basic Structural Mechanics Unit code NBC1103 Credits12
  • Structural Principles in Construction Unit code NBC1104 Credits12
  • Fundamentals of Building Construction Unit code NBC1111 Credits12
  • Building Science Unit code NBC1112 Credits12
  • Measurement and Estimating Unit code NBC1113 Credits12
  • Built Environment Communication and Skills Unit code NBD1100 Credits12
  • Building Design Documentation Unit code NBD1101 Credits12

Year 2, Semester 1

  • Architectural History and Analysis Unit code NBD2001 Credits12
  • Building Contract Documentation Unit code NBD2002 Credits12
  • Built Environment 1 Unit code NBD2100 Credits12
  • Architectural Design and Theory Unit code NEA2102 Credits12

Year 2, Semester 2

  • Risk and Safety Management Unit code NBD3001 Credits12
  • Built Environment 2 Unit code NBD3100 Credits12
  • Building Systems and Services Unit code NBC2003 Credits12
  • Building Development and Compliance Unit code NEA2201 Credits12

Year 3, Semester 1

  • Project Management Practice Unit code NBC3101 Credits12
  • Residential Sustainable Design Unit code NBD3002 Credits12
  • Urban Design and Development Unit code NBD3200 Credits12
  • Building Design Studio 1 Unit code NBD3103 Credits12

Year 3, Semester 2

  • Building Services Management Unit code NBC3003 Credits12
  • Complex Construction Unit code NBC3204 Credits12
  • Commercial Sustainable Design Unit code NBD3003 Credits12
  • Building Design Studio 2 Unit code NBD3104 Credits12

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of two units of Higher Education studies in Construction, Environmental Sustainability or similar.OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Construction, Environmental Sustainability or similar.OR:Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be credited for up to 144 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Pathways from other institutions

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

The Gordon

You will be credited for up to 144 credit points of study.

Wodonga Institute of TAFE

You will be credited for up to 144 credit points of study.

House of Learning Pty Ltd - trading as Builders Academy Australia

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

The Gordon

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Plan, implement and manage the delivery of efficient and effective building design strategies over the course of building design and construction processes in diverse contemporary contexts using independent thinking and judgement.  
  2. Generate creative solutions to a range of complex building design problems, taking into account issues of compliance with relevant codes and standards, building construction process, technical and innovative changes, ethics and environmental sustainability (commercial and environmental) with initiative and professional judgement.  
  3. Critically evaluate sources and validity of information and use established processes for information management, integrating BIM and the latest architectural software, and including international perspectives and codes of practice as appropriate.  
  4. Advocate building design objectives and outcomes effectively to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders using a variety of professional forms (oral, written, working drawings).  
  5. Exemplify collaboration and requisite interpersonal and supervisory skills and characteristics to influence personal work, community and networks.  
  6. Apply personal and interpersonal competencies including organisational and collaborative skills necessary to operate within broad parameters in the immensely divergent and complex global and Australian cultures.  
  7. Negotiate, respect and value cultural diversity and indigenous rights and develop capacities and creative solutions to contribute to a sustainable world.  
  8. Exhibit responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice in collaboration with others and within broad parameters.  

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