Architecture courses
Help me choose a courseIntroduction to Architecture
If you've got a knack for design and a passion for the spaces we inhabit, then an architecture course may lead you into a career you'll love. Discover why studying architecture in Australia could be the pathway for you. We’re here to help you explore online courses available with leading universities.
Explore architecture coursesDiscover architecture courses
Online architecture subjects and short courses
Sustainability and Structures in Architecture
Undergraduate
CUR-BAS120- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 25 Nov 2024, 02 Jun 2025, 01 Dec 2025
Enrolments open until 28 Nov
Introduction to Sustainable Design for Houses
Undergraduate
TAS-KDA101- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 24 Feb 2025, 21 Jul 2025
Architectural Science in Context
Undergraduate
CUR-BAS150- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 03 Mar 2025, 01 Sep 2025
Construction Environmental Science
Undergraduate
USA-CIVE2015- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 07 Apr 2025, 22 Sep 2025
Online architecture degrees
Bachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science)
Undergraduate
CUR-BAS-DEGLay the foundations for a career as an architect
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Available majors
- Construction Management Specialisation,
- Interior Architecture Specialisation,
- Animation and Game Architecture Design Specialisation,
- Planning and Geography Specialisation
Undergraduate Certificate in Architecture
Undergraduate
CUR-HAR-CTFTake your first steps in architecture
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Postgraduate
CUR-MAA-MASThe world's first online accredited Master of Architecture
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Bachelor of Architectural Technology
Undergraduate
TUA-ART-DEGDesign modern buildings using advanced digital tools
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
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Architecture study FAQs
What ATAR do you need for architecture?
You will need an ATAR between 70 and 89 to be eligible for a Bachelor of Architecture or Bachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science). Other prerequisites can include:
- a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE)
- assumed knowledge in English and/or maths
- basic freehand drawing ability
- computer skills
It’s important to check the entry requirements for your chosen course before you apply to avoid disappointment.
However, an ATAR isn’t the only way to start studying architecture. If you don’t meet these entry requirements, Open Universities Australia can help you get into an undergraduate architecture degree through pathway subjects that are open to everyone. Chat to our student advisors to find out more about this.
How long does it take to become an architect?
It takes a minimum of seven years to become an architect. You’ll need to complete:
- 3 years of undergraduate study
- 2 years of postgraduate study
- 2 years of supervised experience with an architectural firm
You will also need to pass the Architectural Practice Examination and register with your local state or territory’s Architects Registration Board.
If you choose to study online through Open Universities Australia, you can complete your qualifications at your own pace. You have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take at once, and scale them up and down as it suits you. This is a fantastic way to work towards your dream of becoming an architect, while balancing other commitments like full-time work, family and friends.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.
For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.
Chat with us to find out more.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
- You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there. - You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you. - You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students. - We’ll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
What you'll learn in an architecture course
Since becoming an architect requires both an undergraduate and postgraduate architecture degree, what you learn will really depend on where you are in your study journey.
For an introduction to architecture, there are short courses available that cover topics such as:
- The history of architecture, from the ancient world until today
- Different architectural movements
- Sustainable design
When you take the next step into an undergraduate degree, you’ll learn:
- The broad discipline of architecture and ways of thinking
- How to conduct appropriate scholarly and professional research
- The art behind architectural methods including 3D computer-aided design and modelling, technical drawing and model making
In a postgraduate degree, you’ll build on the above learnings through work-based projects, before writing an individual dissertation in architectural design.
Why should you study architecture?
The world of architecture is constantly changing because of new design trends, building practices and environmental conditions. If you’re a creative problem solver who wants to influence how our towns and cities look long into the future, then it couldn’t be a better industry to get into.
As our population booms, the need for architects and architectural design is set to increase—making it a profession that offers plenty of job security.
An architect earns well, too. The fully-fledged architect has an average salary of $133,761, with senior architects earning up to $180,000 per year.
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