Bachelor of Architecture

This course is no longer offered. Students who commenced the Bachelor of Architecture prior to 2008 should consult with a Course Adviser for enrolment advice.

The BArch is a two-year, full-time course of 200 points. It is available at both pass and honours levels. The course satisfies the academic requirements for registration by the Architects Registration Board of Victoria and for membership of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. An additional requirement of registration is up to two years of approved professional experience in architecture (experience as a student of architecture can count for up to one of these two years).

Students are considered to be in a particular year level of the course until they have completed all the compulsory and electives points requirements for that level of study.

• have an architectural knowledge base consisting of an integrated system of concepts, principles, theories, technical data and skills relating to the design and practice of architecture with particular relevance to Australia and to the broader Asia-Pacific region;
• have a sound grasp of problem-solving techniques such that they are able to synthesise and apply this knowledge base in the planning and design of large-scale, programmatically complex, energy-efficient buildings;
• have developed critical techniques that enable them to take a professionally responsible role in the community through the formulation of independent evaluations of those social, economic and political institutions, existing conventions and new ideas that inform the practice of architecture and its professional ethics;
• understand the social context of their discipline and have a critical appreciation of the aesthetic and functional implications of socio-economic factors on the cultural significance of architecture;
• are competent designers, able to understand, develop and apply design tactics that are responsive to clients' needs with regard to the formal and functional organisation of the program;
• are able to engage in the self-directed study and research necessary to their advancement through postgraduate studies and/or the continuing development of their professional careers;
• are effective managers with a developed understanding of those principles of interpersonal, communication, management and leadership skills necessary for the successful practice of architecture;
• are technically and professionally competent and are able to demonstrate the acquisition of those professional and technical skills necessary to gain employment as a graduate architect and to advance to full professional status as a registered architect.

BArch electives

History subjects

To graduate BArch, students are required to have completed 50 points of approved history subjects by the end of the BArch course. All or some of these subjects can be undertaken in the Bachelor of Architectural Studies course with any shortfall in the requisite points being undertaken in the BArch course. It is strongly recommended that the four history subjects include Modern Architecture B and one regional history eg. Australian Architecture A, Asian Architecture A or Asian Architecture B.

BArch students are required to use the electives available in the BArch course (totalling up to 50 points) to complement their architectural studies. Each student will be expected to develop an approved program of studies for these electives. With the approval of the Head of Architecture students may choose subjects offered in other faculties. When developing a program of BArch elective studies, students should be guided by the subject lists published by the Faculty.

The elective program in the BArch also permits architecture students to undertake subjects in the MUP and the MLArch. With appropriate course planning, BArch graduates may be able to complete a professionally accredited MUP or MLArch in one additional year of academic study. Electives also provide pathways into research. Appropriately prepared BArch graduates should then be able to complete the MArch research degree (either by thesis or by design) in one full-time year.

First Year

Semester 1

Students should complete the following core subjects, and one 12.5 point elective.

Semester 2

Students should complete the following core subjects, and one 12.5 point elective.

Second Year

Semester 1

Students should complete the following core subject, a design elective, and one 12.5 point elective.

Semester 2

Applicants from other institutions may be required to present to the Selection Committee a portfolio of their design work that convincingly demonstrates the ability to complete the BArch course. Such applicants may then be required to attend an interview. Applicants from other institutions may also be required to undertake preliminary studies.