Top 200 worldwide for architecture and built environment
#1 in Melbourne for architecture facilities
Deakin sets the standard for employability
Why choose design (architecture) at Deakin
Deakin’s Bachelor of Design (Architecture) is a path of discovery. Explore the creative possibilities of architectural design and its potential to make a positive impact on the built environment. Discover architectural ideas through cutting-edge content and develop your creativity. Gain a practical understanding of the built environment and its relationship with the community through meaningful and sustainable design, from houses to high-rise projects.
You will develop practical skills by studying real-world projects in a studio environment, while fostering your ability to generate, analyse and communicate your ideas. You will learn to balance creative thinking with technical necessities as you develop the tools to understand and influence the spaces we inhabit. Gain work-ready skills in computer-aided design, drawing and digital fabrication at the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment.
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Unbeatable employability
Join graduates working across the UK, Berlin, Oslo, China, Dubai and the USA, with pathways to professional architecture registration. Validated and recognised by the Board of Architects Malaysia (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia).
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Practical industry experience
Gain practical skills through project-based learning, collaboration with construction management students, placements, site visits and engagement with architects and industry-leading firms.
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Global design opportunities
As part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, Deakin connects you to an international design community, enabling collaboration and cross-cultural experience.
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Work in world-class studios
Develop your projects in our open-plan studio and purpose-built workshop, using industry-grade 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers and traditional tools.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build the creative, technical and digital skills to shape the spaces where people live, work and connect. Graduate ready to pursue opportunities across architectural design, modelling and the built environment, with a pathway to professional registration.
Architect
Design buildings and spaces that balance creativity, functionality and sustainability. Develop concepts and detailed plans, collaborate with clients and construction professionals, and guide projects from initial design through to completion.
- $100k
Typical salary in Australia
- 3.6/5
Job satisfaction in Australia
Architectural designer
Develop creative and practical design solutions for buildings and spaces. Produce concepts, drawings and digital models while considering functionality, sustainability, materials and the needs of people and communities.
- $93k
Typical salary in Australia
- 4.1/5
Job satisfaction in Australia
Other jobs
- 3D architectural modeller
- Architectural consultant
- Design coordinator
FAQs
Deakin's campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool are set in vibrant, multicultural communities where it is easy to connect and feel at home. As the #1 university in Australia for international student happiness and student satisfaction, you will be supported at every step of your journey. You can join clubs and societies through the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA), attend social events, go on trips and live on campus to meet people from around the world. Each campus has fitness centres, cafes and 24-hour security, as well as prayer rooms and multifaith chaplains.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
As an international student at Deakin, you can work part time according to the conditions of your visa. On a Student Visa (Subclass 500), you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during trimesters. When you are on a trimester break you can work as much as you want. Compulsory work experience that forms part of your degree does not count toward this limit. Find part-time roles and internships through DeakinTALENT and learn more about working in Australia.
Most students studying full time at Deakin need a Student Visa (Subclass 500). You can apply for this visa after you accept your offer and receive your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). To apply, you will need a valid passport, your CoE, proof of Overseas Student Health Cover and any other documents required by the Department of Home Affairs. Apply as early as possible, but do not book travel until your visa has been granted. Find out more about student visas.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in an undergraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin is the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. Our degrees are developed with industry insight, so you will gain career-ready skills from the beginning. Each Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities including placements, internships and projects with well-known industry partners. Our dedicated international student career support program helps you learn about the Australian workforce, make connections and build your network through placements. You will get support with your resume, help looking for an internship or a job after graduation and even advice about your career options overseas.
There is more than one way to study at Deakin. If you do not meet the academic requirements, Deakin College offers a guaranteed pathway to Deakin with small, supportive classes on campus. If you meet the academic requirements but not the English requirements, you can enrol in a Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) English pathway program and progress to your chosen Deakin degree upon successful completion. Deakin also has formal pathway agreements with partner institutions in countries like China, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the United States, so you can start your studies locally before transferring to Australia to complete your degree.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Design (Architecture)?
This degree builds your expertise from foundational design principles to advanced architectural practice, preparing you to create thoughtful, sustainable spaces shaped by people and place.
Foundations of architectural thinking
Explore design fundamentals
Develop creative, reflective and representational skills in studio, learning how to generate and communicate architectural ideas.
Understand materials and structures
Discover how building materials perform and how structural systems work for simple buildings, with a focus on sustainability.
Build technical skills
Practice drawing, modelling and digital tools to bring your ideas to life in hands-on studio projects.
Designing for place and sustainability
Design for sustainability and place
Create environmentally responsive projects that respond to site, climate, cultural context and community.
Explore architecture in context
Study architecture from Australian, Pacific and Southeast Asian societies to understand diverse influences.
Advance construction and technical understanding
Build knowledge of structural systems and building services for larger, more complex projects.
Advanced design and professional practice
Capstone design projects
Apply everything you have learned to tackle complex, high-rise and hybrid architectural challenges.
Refine technical documentation
Develop detailed construction drawings and understand building services for multi-storey projects.
Prepare for professional practice
Apply your design, technical and analytical skills to architectural scenarios.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Design (Architecture), you must pass 24 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
You are required to complete 18 core units (these are essential units for this degree).
In your first trimester you must also complete two 0-credit point units which are compulsory for this degree.
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Year 2 - Trimester 1
plus one open elective unit (one credit point)
Year 2 - Trimester 2
Year 3 - Trimester 1
Year 3 - Trimester 2
plus one open elective unit (one credit point)
Choose two open elective units from across the University, including from a completely different study area (subject to meeting unit prerequisites).
Professional recognition
Undergoing regular and rigorous review processes carried out by external professional bodies means that this course maintains its quality and industry relevance.
This course also forms step one of a five-year program comprising the three-year Bachelor of Design (Architecture) followed by the two-year Master of Architecture.
When the five-year program has been successfully completed, you will have an Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) accredited academic qualification and be on your way to becoming a registered architect via any state registration boards, such as the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV).
Validated and recognised by the Board of Architects Malaysia (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia), this course is included on the List of Recognised Architectural Programs, giving you eligibility to register as a Graduate Architect with the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia.
What to expect while studying
The learning experiences and assessment activities within this course require students to engage with a number of production methods, such as drawing, large format printing, model making, and digital fabrication (laser cutting + 3D printing). Students will be required to purchase minor equipment such as drawing media, paperstock, sketchbooks, and model making tools, however many of these will be usable within different units. As such, there might be a higher upfront cost as students enter in the course. Each unit will outline the specific requirements at the commencement of the unit. Where possible, students are encouraged to reuse, recycle or think creatively about model materials. The indicative cost of this equipment and material (over time) can vary depending on quality or execution, but can be expected to be up to $750 over the course duration.
Students are also recommended to have access to a personal computer (laptop or desktop) in order to engage digital communications methods (drawing, CAD and presentations). Advice on this is presented to students in first year, so it is not imperative to have this before commencing the course as Deakin has dedicated Computer Labs to get started with. Where possible, all required software (Autodesk, Adobe) is provided to students under free academic licencing and does not require additional cost.
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
You can expect to engage in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, workshops, site visits and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a discipline-specific industry placement as part of your course. Explore the SEBE WIL program.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Synthesise knowledge of architecture history, theory, technology and practice to design, develop and manage architecture projects, demonstrating initiative and judgement for professional practice. Apply technical and theoretical knowledge of architectural design to propose diverse, authentic, alternative, and well-rounded responses that are conceptually and physically sustainable to problems in the contemporary built environment. Integrate the knowledge of language of architecture, its meanings, capacities and implications to demonstrate ability and responsibility as reflective practitioners, in making decisions to define the human landscape. |
| Communicate clearly, professionally and responsibly in a variety of contexts using oral, visual, digital, graphic and interpersonal communication modes to inform, motivate and persuade specialist and non-specialist audiences about architectural ideas and designs. Imagine, conceive and represent ideas using the language of architecture, its codes and conventions to reflect on possibilities, the implications of hypothetical designs and its applications. |
| Apply knowledge of relevant technological tools, methodologies and techniques to locate, collect, analyse, interpret and synthesise complex information. Use architecture theory and practice to analyse, evaluate, produce and disseminate design responses using techniques and technology ethically and responsibly in a digital world. |
| Use critical thinking to analyse and provide a rational, reflective and socially responsible response to architectural problems at different scales and complexities in a variety of contexts. Examine causes and consequences of different morphologies to appreciate their capacities and opportunities in order to reproduce, manipulate, and identify conventional and alternative solutions to architectural problems. |
| Investigate and identify ill-defined real world environmental, cultural, physical and social architectural problems, explain its significance, causes and consequences, and use a methodical approach to formulate a solution. Make appropriate choices to solve problems in complex and contradictory situations based on knowledge of social, economic, environmental and cultural aspects of architectural design to evolve human landscape. |
| Work independently and collaboratively to produce architectural designs and responses in an ethical, responsible and professional manner. Use initiative and judgement to reflect on knowledge and skills, to demonstrate autonomy and capacity to identify opportunities for improving practice. |
| Work as a team to analyse and evaluate complex problems, and share critical, analytical and creative approaches to select best responses to architectural problems. |
| Integrate subjective and objective stakeholder perspectives in the process of formulating architectural and design responses taking into account economic, cultural, social and ethical values inherent in human landscape. Engage with global trends in contemporary architectural design and urbanism in order to recognise cultural diversity, the need for equity in outcomes and implement high ethical and professional standards. |
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Design (Architecture)
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400415023 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
- Deakin code
- S342
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 001835D Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$43,800
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Apply through VTAC
If you are an international student completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas, you must submit an application through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). In addition, you may also apply directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's international student application service.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.