Course details

Summary

Get prepared to work as a professional architect. Hone your skills as a designer, develop your ability to think visually and in three dimensions and learn how to best meet your clients' needs through practical, real-life experiences.

Learn through a combination of taught courses and a written thesis or research portfolio that involves self-directed, design-led research. You'll graduate with a range of design projects that demonstrate mastery in your area of interest.

Professional accreditation

Your MArch(Prof) from Victoria will be recognised by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) as fulfilling the academic requirements for registration to practise as an architect. You'll need to spend two to three years gaining practical experience before you can apply to register. The Board will then assess your professional competence.

The MArch(Prof) is also accepted by the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) as fulfilling their academic requirements for membership and registration. However, you will have to meet some other requirements such as evidence of coursework and practical experience.

You'll also meet the academic requirements for professional registration as a practising architect with the industry organisation, the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA).

Careers

You'll graduate ready for a career in mainstream architecture in a private practice or a government organisation.

However, your broad range of skills will be adaptable to many related careers so you will also find opportunities outside the mainstream profession. These might include urban planner or urban designer, interior designer, stage or movie set designer, property developer, project manager, teacher or researcher or work in construction law.

Returning to study

Many students pick up postgraduate study after several years away. If it's been a while since you've studied, our liaison officers can help you get back into university life.

What you'll study

In your first year, or Part 1, you'll do seven taught courses. Study advanced architectural design and advanced construction theory and practice including the integration of technology. You'll explore contemporary architectural theories and learn about professional practice. You'll also study advanced research techniques, including historical and theoretical approaches.

Research

During the second year, or Part 2, you'll complete a research portfolio or thesis under supervision from academic staff in the School.

Current research areas and topics include:

• architecture and dystopia
• housing and public infrastructure
• parametric design and digital agency
• contextual shifts
• responsive environments and robotics
• people and designed environments
• corporate spheres and community spaces
• public ecologies
• settling regional landscapes
• indigenous materials
• history and theory.

You'll be part of a strong culture of research and work with experienced staff who have published a variety of scholarly articles, books and conference papers.

Entry criteria

To be accepted into this programme you'll need:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, or an approved alternative, with a B average.

Other English Language requirements:

• IELTS: minimum overall score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0
• TOEFL: minimum score of 90 for the internet-based test with a minimum of 20 in writing
• Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58)
• EPP: minimum final scores of 4,4,5,5