What is Architecture?

Are you interested in shaping the sustainability, inclusivity, and connectivity of future cities? Join us at UNSW School of Built Environment and launch a meaningful career in architecture.

Sharpen your focus on how architectural design impacts people, building performance and professional practice. Learn how to deliver architectural services that improve the human experience. With three billion new homes needed globally by 2030, ensure your building designs benefit the people who inhabit them. At UNSW, you’ll lead the fight against climate change with architectural design that boosts environmental performance and sustainability. Understand low-carbon architecture and help the industry achieve its goal of Net Zero new builds by 2030. Recognise your practical, ethical and moral responsibilities – lead the way in a rapidly changing profession. 

What is Architecture? 

Architecture is the design of space, materials, environment, and human experience to create places. When you study Architecture at UNSW, you'll draw on your creativity to shape the culture of cities and communities. Build spatial and environmental knowledge, specialised skills and ways of thinking to drive change across the industry. Learn how to design buildings and spaces that improve social outcomes, favour sustainability, and benefit the economy. 

For many, it’s an art form that allows us to create private and public spaces that are equally beautiful and functional. Throughout history, architectural trends have evolved as different cultures spread across the continents. We owe much of modern architecture to the foundations that were set by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Today, however, architectural design is a multidisciplinary practice that involves the consideration of science, sustainability, socioeconomics and more.

Types of Architecture

At UNSW, you’ll be encouraged to cast a wide net during your studies. You’ll explore the history of architecture, from ancient greek architectural principles to the emergence of gothic architecture, and how modern architecture continues to evolve as we increasingly consider the science of buildings to inform our designs. This rich historical understanding will provide the framework to dip into various types of architecture used around the world today.

With a career-focused approach, architecture courses at UNSW prepare you to confidently enter the workforce and contribute meaningfully to the profession right after graduation. You’ll get a taste of residential, commercial and landscape architecture, along with interior design, urban design and industrial architecture.

Who should study Architecture?

If you’re inspired by famous architects like Glenn Murcutt (who happens to be on our teaching staff), Phillip Cox (responsible for some of Australia’s greatest sporting stadiums) and Brit Andresen (the first female recipient of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal) – a career in architecture might be calling your name.

If you find yourself marvelling at the architecture as you explore a new city or have a knack for design, it’s worth exploring architecture as a career path. You’ll directly influence the look, feel and functionality of our future cities and whether you design skyscrapers or residential homes, you’ll make an impact on the people who use them every day.

Why study Architecture at UNSW?

Top 40 worldwide
Become a global leader in your architectural career and practice. When you study our UNSW Bachelor and Masters Architecture degrees, your qualifications are internationally recognised. UNSW is ranked in the top 40 in the world for Architecture and Built Environment (QS World University Rankings, 2024).

Exclusive industry partnerships
Build your global portfolio with the opportunity to study abroad in our international partner studios in Japan, Vienna or Cambodia. Take an exchange opportunity with one of our university partners around the globe. Plus, gain exposure to our international industry links, such as our Seidler Chairs, Richard Hassell and Wong Mun Summ (WOHA, Singapore).

Learn from world-class teachers and practitioners
Our staff are renowned, award-winning architects. At UNSW School fo Built Environment, you’ll learn from Pritzker Prize winner Glenn Murcutt and Rachel Neeson, a recipient of The Marion Mahony Griffin Prize by Australian Institute of Architects. Professor David Sanderson is the Inaugural Judith Neilson Chair in Architecture. Richard Hassell and Wong Mun Summ (WOHA, Singapore) are the Seidler Chairs in the Practice of Architecture.

Solve tomorrow’s problems
Navigate the industry's most pressing challenges in first-class research facilities. UNSW was awarded an Australian Research Council grant to establish the ARC Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing Centre. Learn how advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will improve the industry’s productivity, performance and sustainability. Become trained in advanced design and fabrication tools such as 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC routing and more in our Design Futures Lab.

Design with and for Country
UNSW has appointed two Professors of Practice, Indigenous, Gillian Barlow and Bernadette Hardy who are running a new studio in our UNSW Master of Architecture. Learn how to design with and for Indigenous communities, and how to elevate Indigenous knowledge across the industry. 

Be recognised
Join our community of award-winning students. Our students have been recognised in the 2023 Institute of Architects awards. Plus, our digital student exhibition Luminocity was recognised in the Red Dot Awards and awarded Dezeen website of the year.

Embrace flexibility 
Study full-time or part-time, with the flexibility of trimester loading to suit your lifestyle and goals. Choose from a broad range of disciplines with electives from across the school of Built Environment including property, landscape and computational design.

Drive change
UNSW won the Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable Student Award in 2023. Grow the skills and experience to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. Craft the career you want and become an agent of change in the industry – pushing the boundaries in a rapidly changing profession. 

Careers in Architecture 

As cities continue to expand and transform globally, demand for architects is projected to grow 35% over the next ten years (Labour Market Insights, March 2023). The UNSW Bachelor of Architectural Studies, combined with the UNSW Master of Architecture gives you the qualification to practice as a registered architect in Australia and a number of other countries including the United Kingdom, Singapore, Canada, the USA, and New Zealand.

Our graduates work across a range of architectural design disciplines. You can specialise in designing housing or commercial buildings, or in a number of related architectural professions, such as interior design architecture, urban planning and property development.

Careers in Architecture 

• Working as an architect in a small, medium or large-sized practice 
• Starting your own architectural design practice 
• Specialist architect in heritage, high-performance architectural technology or humanitarian architecture 
• Expert consultant in government, policy or environment
• Architectural design critic, journalist or historian
• Architectural teacher, researcher or academic
• Building scientist or environmental designer

Study