Bachelor of Architectural Design (Honours)

This is a one-year Bachelor of Architectural Design (Honours) at Adelaide University, taken after a three-year undergraduate degree in architectural design or a closely related field. It sits at AQF level 8, the same level as a bachelor honours degree, and it's the standard route into a master's in architecture if you want to register as an architect later. The year is built around a supervised research or design thesis, plus advanced coursework in architectural history, theory, technology and professional practice. You'll spend most of your time on the thesis, working with a supervisor, developing a question, testing it through drawings, models and written argument, then presenting it to a panel.

How the year is structured

Australian honours years are usually two semesters, sometimes three trimesters. You'll enrol in a set of units of study, each with a credit point value, and the thesis is normally the largest single unit. Assessment is a mix of studio crits, written work and a final exhibition or defence. There's no separate placement requirement in this degree, but many students do studio work with practising architects or contribute to research groups within the school. Credit for prior study is assessed unit by unit, and you should confirm the exact structure, unit list and credit points on the official Adelaide University page.

What you actually learn

You'll get better at framing an architectural problem, gathering evidence, and arguing a position through drawings and text. Studio culture is central: you'll pin up work, take criticism, and revise. You'll also sharpen technical skills, digital modelling, documentation, maybe fabrication, and learn how research in architecture is done, which matters if you go on to a master's or a PhD. The honours year is where a lot of students work out whether they want to practise, teach, or research.

Who it suits

This suits someone who has finished a bachelor degree in architectural design and wants a research-led year before moving into a Master of Architecture, or who wants to test an idea in depth before committing to practice. It also suits international students who want an Australian qualification at honours level and are thinking about the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream afterwards. If you're an international student, note that while you study you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. English proficiency is required, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for this level, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 117902A, and you should confirm fees, entry requirements and unit details on the official page before applying.

• Architectural graduate or design assistant in private practice, working on residential, commercial or public projects while completing the supervised experience needed for registration.
• Urban design or planning support officer in local government or consultancies, helping prepare development assessments and design frameworks.
• Research assistant in a university school of architecture, contributing to funded projects on housing, sustainability or heritage.
• Exhibition, set or spatial designer in cultural institutions, film and theatre, or event production.
• Building information modelling (BIM) or documentation officer in architecture and construction firms.
• Heritage or conservation consultant working with councils, heritage bodies or specialist practices.
• Further study, most graduates go on to a Master of Architecture to meet the academic requirements for registration as an architect in Australia.