BlogDesignPros and Cons of a Bachelor of Design in Architecture at USYD

Pros and Cons of a Bachelor of Design in Architecture at USYD

If you’re looking to use your creative passion and interest in a practical field, USYD Architecture just might be the path for you!

Have a read of what it’s like studying a Bachelor of Design in Architecture at USYD if you’d like to know more about the degree requirements, subjects, course culture and assessments.

We’ve had a chat with Winnie, a third year Architecture student at USYD, who is currently working towards her Honours and Masters. Winnie has shared all her favourite, and not so favourite, things about the degree, so you can figure out if this is the course for you!

Let’s jump into it!

Why should you study an Architecture degree at USYD?
Top 3 Pros of an Architecture Degree
Top 3 Cons of an Architecture Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting USYD Architecture
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying USYD Architecture
Potential Career Paths

Why should you study an Architecture degree at USYD? 

If you’re someone that is creatively driven, studying Architecture specifically at USYD will help fulfil your creative needs. A Bachelor of Design in Architecture has an artistic focus to it, as it looks into aesthetic and functional design. 

Winnie said, “The main thing that attracted me is that USYD is art based, unlike other universities where it’s more technology based… and I’m more interested in the artistic and creative side.

Top 3 Pros of an Architecture degree

#1: It’s rewarding

Studying Architecture requires a lot of work, time and dedication. You’ll find yourself pulling all-nighters and working on design concepts for days, only to discover a better concept and decide to start over! 

That being said, if you’re passionate about design and interested in Architecture, this hard work pays off — making it a very rewarding and fulfilling degree!

“It is hard, but once you push yourself enough to do it, it’s rewarding because it’s completely your own work. It’s not about the mark, you made it yourself, it’s like a newborn!” Winnie said.

#2: Allows you to explore other fields

Something that might not come to mind in studying Architecture at USYD, is its versatility. As a design-focussed degree, the skills you gain throughout the course are applicable to a range of other fields. This allows you to explore areas such as photography, visual arts, graphic design, and more!

Winnie said, “In this degree you become good in a lot of related fields like composing photos in photography. You also do a lot of 3D modelling and construction, so you’re able to transfer to any design-related degree if you want to work in another industry.”

#3: You become close with your peers

If there’s one good thing that comes from the stressful time of assessments, it’s the friendship that is formed with other students! 

Architecture USYD - Quote

So, despite the difficulties and obstacles one could face when studying Architecture, there is a cohort of students that becomes more tight knit as the degree progresses over the three years, and potentially into fourth year Honours and fifth year Masters.

Top 3 Cons of an Architecture degree

#1: High pressure environment 

“Architecture takes a lot of passion — it’s totally high pressure. You might end up changing the design three times, and by the time you decide what your design is, you have to pull all-nighters, one after the other,” Winnie said. 

The flow of creative ideas is unpredictable, and having to deal with a new idea close to an assessment deadline makes studying Architecture quite high pressure.

You also use a wide range of computer softwares, rendering, and 3D modelling programs, which take time to learn and develop proficiency in. Having technical difficulties, or not knowing how to execute an idea in a digital program that will translate your design concept, builds the pressure up. 

Winnie highlighted, “You have to be really passionate about Architecture or there’s no way you’ll have the energy to keep going with it.”

#2: You need to be self-sufficient

As Architecture at USYD is very design oriented, it’s important that you are consistently sharing your design ideas and concepts with your tutor to seek feedback and approval. Although the tutors are incredibly supportive and want you to achieve the best design you can, you have to be self-sufficient in asking for help and knowing what to ask.

Most tutors are currently working as Architects so they have other jobs. That’s why you have to really count on yourself and be self-sufficient… because it’s design, it has to be your own idea and the tutor isn’t going to tell you what to do,” Winnie mentioned.

#3: Physically and mentally demanding 

Around assessment time, Architecture becomes particularly demanding. So it’s really important that you stay on top of your physical and mental needs.

Winnie said, “You have to stay healthy — it’s a challenge for, not just your mental needs but, your physical needs as well. I love this major and I benefit a lot from it, but I can’t pull 3 all-nighters in a row and stay efficient.”

Architecture at USYD, no doubt, takes a lot of physical and mental strength, but it’s a matter of preparing you for the difficulties you may face in the industry with meeting the needs of clients and short deadlines.

Did you know that architecture is in the top 10 lowest successful graduate outcomes for employability? Find out why here!

Any regrets? 

I wish I studied the different computer programs and softwares prior to third year, because before assignments I was struggling to use the software.

“I’m good at art, so I just hand-drew my designs. But in third year, you have to be professional and know how to use these programs,” Winnie said. 

Although it’s really important to know how to hand draw, sketch and construct physical designs and models, with the technological advancements in the industry, it’s vital that you become proficient in a range of design and modelling softwares. 

What do you wish you had known before starting Architecture at USYD?

You have to be a good communicator with tutors and group mates — it’s so important! Sometimes people who choose Architecture can be really introverted and although their handwork skills are really good, they can’t communicate,” Winnie told us.

Often a career as an architect can be seen as an independent job that requires you to work on designs and projects.

However, the nature of the workforce is incredibly collaborative, and so Architecture at USYD involves a lot of group projects that require you to work with peers. Therefore, be prepared to voice ideas and bounce projects off one another. 

What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities? 

Firstly, being a Bachelor of Design in Architecture, the degree focusses on creating good designs that are functional and aesthetic. The degree is driven by creativity, which is then conveyed through the use of different design techniques, softwares, models and programs. 

“To become a good architect, what matters is your design concept, so USYD aims to make us better designers,” Winnie said.

USYD also has a range of largely experienced and knowledgeable lecturers in the faculty who can be traditional in their approaches to teaching Architecture. 

Winnie said, “The lecturers encourage hand-drawing and actual model making. These traditional methods they teach make us better architects and designers.”

At the end of the day, there are a wide range of rendering programs you can use to create a realistic design, however a simple hand-drawn sketch could have a better design idea. 

What inspired you to choose Architecture at USYD?

Winnie said, “Since I was very young, I always loved art. I thought about studying Fine Arts, but I wasn’t sure about it as a profession.

But Architecture is a good balance of art and technical skills — it’s like compromising my artistic needs with a job and career.”

What are the possible career paths? 

Architecture USYD - Careers

On that note, there are a range of careers you can pursue from studying a Bachelor of Design in Architecture at USYD! These include:

  • Architect
  • Project manager
  • Property developer
  • Urban planner
  • Design manager
  • Real estate developer
  • Restoration architect
  • Landscape architect
  • Industrial designer
  • Product designer
  • Graphic designer

The opportunities are vast with a degree in Architecture, and the design skills that you develop could lead you into a number of different industries! 


Nandini Dhir is a Content Writer at Art of Smart and is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Marketing) and a Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), as a Dalyell Scholar, at Sydney University. She enjoys covering local issues in her area and writing about current events in the media. Nandini has had one of her pieces published in an article with the Sydney Morning Herald. In her free time, Nandini loves doing calligraphy, ballet, and sewing, or is otherwise found coddling her cats.  

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