Have you considered studying Architecture at university? Not sure which school of Architecture would suit you best?
We’ve gathered up the top five universities to study Architecture in Australia so you can see how they compare.
Take a look at which unis made the list!
#5. Curtin University
Image sourced from Curtin
Rankings
Curtin University in Perth comes in as the 5th best university for Architecture in Australia, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. The university is ranked number one in Western Australia for Architecture.
The university is also ranked in the top 100 globally for architecture by the QS Top Universities Rankings by Subject 2023.
According to QS World University Rankings 2023, Curtin is the 13th best university in Australia.
About
Despite being quite young, Curtin University is a reputable university that has become a space for innovation and high research standards.
A Bachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science) can be completed at this university over three years full-time. 2121 students were enrolled in this degree as of 2019.
Students studying architecture at Curtin University have benefited from valuable industry experiences, provided by organisations such as design company GHDWoodhead and government entity, Water Corporation.
A Bachelor of Architectural Studies at Curtin University is a pathway for the two-year accredited Master of Architecture qualification, which recognises students as registered architects.
Entry Requirements
The guaranteed ATAR for admission in 2023 into a Bachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science) is 70. Curtin University also requires all applicants to be proficient in English.
Those who have studied Architecture elsewhere will be required to sit an interview for folio review.
#4. The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Image sourced from CSM Office
Rankings
According to the QS Top Universities Rankings 2023, the University of New South Wales comes in 4th for Architecture in Australia.
UNSW is also ranked 40th globally for Architecture according to QS Top Universities Rankings by Subject 2023.
Nationally, UNSW is the 4th best overall university in Australia, so expect to have one of the best uni experiences!
About
A Bachelor of Architectural Studies can be undertaken at UNSW for three years full-time. After completing this degree, a Master of Architecture can be completed over two years, which recognises students as registered architects.
Students may also choose to study Interior Architecture (Honours) or Landscape Architecture (Honours) at this university. Both courses are three years full-time with an additional year to study honours.
As of 2019, there were 3346 students studying architecture and building at UNSW.
Entry Requirements
The ATAR cut-off for a Bachelor of Architectural Studies at UNSW is 90. To discover more about this degree.
Check out how student Celine felt about her time studying a Bachelor of Architectural Studies at UNSW.
For both Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture the guaranteed ATAR entry is 80.
If students do not have the marks to get into an architecture course at UNSW, they may wish to submit a portfolio of their creative work.
#3. The University of Sydney
Image sourced from Kerfoot
Rankings
According to the QS Top Universities Rankings by Subject 2023, the University of Sydney comes in 3rd for Architecture in Australia. The University of Sydney School of Architecture is 31st globally for Architecture.
USYD is the 3rd best university overall in Australia, according to QS Top Universities in 2023!
About
As one of the international leaders in architecture, design and planning, the University of Sydney School of Architecture boasts an impressive reputation.
The School of Architecture was established in 1918 with the Bachelor of Architecture degree commencing one year later.
As of 2019, The Sydney University School of Architecture had 2813 students. The school is located in the Wilkinson Building, right in the heart of Chippendale’s creative precinct.
Architecture degrees at the University of Sydney can be divided into three categories:
- Bachelor of Architecture and Environments
- Bachelor of Design in Architecture
- Bachelor of Design in Architecture (Honours)/Master of Architecture
On top of your three year-degree, an additional year of study can be completed as Honours for the Bachelor of Architecture and Environments and the Bachelor of Design in Architecture.
Read about how USYD student Alex found her experience studying a Bachelor of Design in Architecture.
Entry Requirements
As of 2023, the Bachelor of Design in Architecture at USYD has a guaranteed ATAR of 95, while the Bachelor of Architecture and Environments has a guaranteed ATAR of 85.
If you want to complete an Architecture program with a Masters component, the ATAR requirement is 97 for a Bachelor of Design in Architecture (Honours) and a Master of Architecture.
Domestic students are invited to submit a portfolio of work in support of their application.
If your ATAR is five or less points away from the entry requirement, check out the portfolio admissions pathway.
#2. RMIT University
Image sourced from RMIT
Rankings
RMIT University in Melbourne is ranked the 2nd best university for architecture in Australia, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023.
The university is also ranked 25th globally for architecture by the QS Top Universities Rankings by Subject 2023.
Additionally, RMIT is the 11th top university in Australia according to the QS Rankings for 2023.
About
A Bachelor of Architectural Design at RMIT is a three-year course that can be followed by a two-year Master of Architecture. At RMIT University, Architecture students have the benefit of studying in an environment similar to a cutting-edge architectural design firm.
As of 2019, RMIT’s School of Architecture and Urban Design had 4794 student enrolments and is led by Professor Martyn Hook.
There are three disciplines within the Bachelor of Architectural Design at RMIT:
Entry Requirements
There are three requirements to enrol in a Bachelor of Architectural Design at RMIT, they are:
- Completed Year 12
- A study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in any other English
- And submission of a portfolio
Your portfolio should include:
- 3-5 projects
- Explanation of each design process
- A maximum of 4 pages for each project
#1. The University of Melbourne
Image sourced from the University of Melbourne
Rankings
The University of Melbourne is the best university in Australia to study Architecture according to the 2023 QS Top Universities Rankings. This degree is studied through the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning within the Melbourne School of Design.
The university is ranked 23rd globally for Architecture according to QS Top Universities Rankings by Subject 2023.
The University of Melbourne is also ranked as the 2nd best university overall in Australia by QS Top Universities Rankings 2023.
About
Architecture is one of 12 majors that can be completed in the university’s Bachelor of Design. The Melbourne School of Design established one of the first Bachelor degrees in Architecture in 1927.
To get professional qualification under the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), students must study a Master in Architecture for an additional three years.
Additionally, a Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage will provide you a further year’s experience in Architectural History.
Architecture students and staff at the University of Melbourne have come from over 50 countries and as of 2019, 4254 students were enrolled in Architecture. There are also scholarships available.
Did you know Architecture is in the Top 10 lowest employable degrees? Read more here!
Entry Requirements
As of 2023, the lowest ATAR selection rank for the Bachelor of Design at UniMelb is 88.
Is this your dream degree? Check out how to identify the marks you need to reach your ATAR goal so you’re not stressing to get 100% every time.
Admission will also be considered for non-recent school leavers who have completed or partially studied a tertiary degree or have life/work experience in this field.
To be admitted into a Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage or Master in Architecture, you must have:
- A WAM of 65% or higher
- A brief personal statement
- A design portfolio
Note: these are just the bare minimum for entry as both Masters are highly competitive!
So you have an ATAR goal…now what? Check out the top Single-Sex and Co-ed Schools in Brisbane or Most Affordable Brisbane Schools based on ATAR results to see where your school has ranked in prior years!
Kellie Maloney is a driven and passionate writer who likes to flex her creative muscle on the daily. Currently, she also works as a Junior Content Writer at ClassBento, a rapidly growing startup that she is super proud to be a part of. When she is not writing for ClassBento or Art of Smart Education, Kellie can be found writing trashy poetry, cooking (barely) edible food or watching YouTube videos.
