So, you’ve always dreamed of being an architect and pretty much know all the details and info on studying a Bachelor of Design in Architecture at QUT — take a quick look right here if you need a little refresher!
Now, do you want to know how people really feel about this degree?
Well, you’ve come to the right place! Meet Antonio, a final year QUT Architecture student. We ask him all those questions you really want to know the answers to.
So, let’s take a closer look!
Why should you study an Architecture degree at QUT?
Top 3 Pros of an Architecture Degree
Top 3 Cons of an Architecture Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting QUT Architecture
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying QUT Architecture
Potential Career Paths
Why should you study an Architecture degree at QUT?
A Bachelor of Design in Architecture at QUT is all about unleashing your creativity and developing your skills as a designer! The degree combines theory and practical components to get you ready for a career in both design and architecture.
QUT provides you with opportunities to present your designs in front of actual architects! You’ll work on your design projects in a studio-setting under the guidance of tutors who are really passionate about what they’re teaching.
From model-making to sketching to learning how to use digital design tools plus all the design history and theories of architecture, this degree is intense in the best of ways!
Top 3 Pros of an Architecture degree
#1: Encourages creativity
“The degree allows me to unleash my creativity, and turn an idea into reality,” Antonio said.
“So it really allows us designers to express ourselves through the structures and the design that we create,” he added.
You’re encouraged as a designer to experiment and think outside the box as to how you may come with a certain design solution.
Of course, you have the practical classes (studios and workshops) where you put the design theories you’ve learnt about into practice and you either work on your own or in a group setting, creating some kind of portfolio or working on various practical tasks to develop certain skills.
But, there are also these classes called Impact Labs which all Design students do and the aim of these classes is to develop your design skills and learn about how design can bring about change in society.
#2: Software skills
“You’ll also learn these other skills with software, which you can also use in other areas,” Antonio said.
Antonio told us about a digital design tool called BMI (Building Information Modelling) which architects actually use in the real world! So, you learn how to use this digital design software which makes it easier to draw up your design plans.
Antonio also took an elective in Industrial Design and there was a crossover in the subjects.
“With the software that I’ve learnt in Architecture, it actually branched off into that sort of area of design and has helped me a lot,” he said.
#3: Emphasis on collaboration
There’s no doubt that learning how to work well in a group environment is a skill for life — no matter what career you end up in!
Antonio told us that the degree “really helps you learn these skills and how to collaborate with each other, which is really useful especially when you do get out into the real world”.
“Projects won’t be handled just by yourself, because I know that there’ll be a lot of collaboration involved in big projects,” he added.
You’ll also have collaborative group projects — so, you learn really quickly how to communicate with others, how to brainstorm ideas and create various design solutions together.
Top 3 Cons of an Architecture degree
#1: Projects are intense
“The projects are really intense and if you don’t have that motivation, it can be really tough at times,” Antonio said.
You definitely have to be organised and stay on top of all your work because around the time you have assessments due, it gets even crazier!
It’s also good to keep in mind that the portfolios you create and submit for your assessments are great examples of your work for future employers! So, be sure to really give it your best shot.
#2: Hard to find a balance
That’s one of the challenges of uni — finding the perfect balance between your social life, work and studying!
“I’m doing part-time work and then I’m also studying so it’s really hard to sort of balance your schedule between work and uni with this degree,” Antonio said.
“I guess, as well, because some classes do go for a long time as well — I did have a class this semester that went for four hours so it does take that chunk of time,” he told us.
You do have 20-24 contact hours a week for this degree, plus you have to schedule time for working on your assessments! But, don’t worry — you’ll be able to juggle it all.
#3: Well, that’s all there is!
Antonio didn’t mention any other cons so that’s a good sign! There’s no doubt that this Architecture degree develops your skills as a designer and prepares you for future postgraduate Architectural studies.
Any regrets?
Antonio didn’t have any regrets about the degree! Now, that says something!
“So far, it is what I expected the degree would be,” he told us.
What do you wish you had known before starting Architecture at QUT?
“I wish I knew how much self motivation is needed,” Antonio shared.
“As you know, most of the learning in university is mostly independent, especially with those large projects as well,” he said.
You definitely have to learn to apply yourself as it’s all up to you! You have to put the effort in to do well at uni.
What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities?
#1: Long history of Architecture
“I heard that Architecture at QUT existed for many, many years, whereas some other universities had only just introduced or were quite new compared to QUT,” Antonio said.
And Antonio is definitely right! QUT Architecture has a 100-year history as one of Australia’s leading landscape educators!
So, it’s definitely a great choice if you’re interested in studying Architecture!
#2: Flexible intakes
“It really took my interest when they were really flexible about the intakes that they took,” Antonio said.
“So they took me mid year 2019, whereas some of the other universities only took students at the start of the year,” he explained.
This means that if you finish a Diploma half way through the year (like Antonio) or want to take half a year off after school, you can still start mid-year. So, it’s very flexible and completely up to you!
#3: Real-world learning
There’s an emphasis on real-world learning so for one subject (Impact Lab 4: Purpose), Antonio created a research informed design inquiry for a festival that takes place at the Botanical Gardens in Brisbane.
He created a one to 20 model for that subject which he actually got to present at the Botanical Gardens in front of the public!
“It was really engaging and it was overall a great experience to present my idea and actually present it in front of an architect who was also there,” Antonio told us.
What inspired you to choose Architecture at QUT?
Antonio knew from a young age that he wanted to work in the building industry.
“My passion has always been focussed towards sketching and designing things, specifically buildings,” he told us.
When he was completing his Diploma in Building Design at TAFE, Architecture at QUT was recommended to him.
“I was highly recommended, and told that QUT offered an architecture degree that branched off my diploma,” he said.
It was the perfect choice for him because he finished his Diploma mid-2019 and QUT accepted mid-year intakes!
“I guess this is what caught my attention and choosing QUT over the other universities at the time because QUT was able to take mid-year intakes,” Antonio explained.
What are the possible career paths?
Well, with a Bachelor of Design in Architecture, you’re definitely on your way to becoming a practising architect (you have to complete a Masters in Architecture). There are also lots of other exciting career possibilities that come with this degree!
You could find yourself in any of the following positions:
- Architect
- Building control surveyor
- Urban designer
- Structural engineer
- Landscapes architect
- Estates manager
- Construction manager
- Sustainability design consultant
Tanna Nankivell is a Senior Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is currently in Germany completing a year of study for her double degree in Communications (Journalism) and Bachelor of Arts (International Studies). She has had articles published on Central News – the UTS Journalism Lab and wrote a feature piece for Time Out Sydney during her internship. Tanna has a love for travel and the great outdoors, you’ll either find her on the snowfields or in the ocean, teaching aqua aerobics or creating short films.
