Bachelor of Design (Architecture)

This degree begins the study of architecture, and most of the learning happens in design studios.

Compare 3 providers

How long it takes: 3 years; full time
Entry ATAR: From 56.6; Lowest offered at Swinburne University of Technology, 2026
How you can study: On campus
Leads on to: Architect; $120,000 median pay
Taught by: 3 providers; NSW, VIC

Is this course right for you?

What the Bachelor of Design (Architecture) asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

an interest in how buildings and spaces are designed
a habit of looking closely at the built environment
some skill in drawing or visual thinking
willingness to work through design problems patiently

Before you start

Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.

Where this course can take you

The study that can follow this course.

Jobs you can do with it

Architect
Architects design buildings and the spaces around them, turning a site, a brief and a budget into something that can actually be built.
A step towards this job. What else you need
Median pay$120,000

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.

Where you can study this course

There are 3 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

Deakin University
Geelong Waterfront, VIC
More about Deakin University
4.4from 2,192 Google reviews
ATAR
60.6 lowest
(70.6 median, 2026)
How you study
On campus
(full or part time)
Next intake
Feb 2027
Website for Deakin University (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Lecturers are approachable, supportive and knowledgeable
- Support services are helpful for students
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
Swinburne University of Technology
Hawthorn, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
ATAR
56.6 lowest
(71.45 median, 2026)
How you study
On campus
(full or part time)
Next intake
Feb 2027
The University of Newcastle
Newcastle - Callaghan, NSW
4.2from 494 Google reviews
ATAR
65.25 lowest
(54.5 median, 2024)
How you study
On campus
(full or part time)
Website for The University of Newcastle (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Friendly and supportive staff and students
- Welcoming and diverse community
What to weigh up
- Replies can be slow
- Admin processes can be slow
- Support services can be hard to access