Best Study Abroad Australia Universities for Architecture
If ‘Study Abroad Australia’ is at the top of your list when considering an architecture degree, you’re at the right place. Australia is one of the hubs of architecture of the modern world. Iconic landmarks the likes of the Sydney Opera House are instantly recognizable the world over. In Australia’s many metropolises, there are countless more examples of architectural feats combining science and design in creative, practical structures. As such, Australia is also one of the top destinations to study architecture.
Eight out of the top 100 architecture universities in the world are in Australia. These universities are a center for the highest level of architectural knowledge taught by some of Australia’s best architects. Australian architecture degrees hold global accreditations, opening up work opportunities not just in the country but worldwide. Let’s have a look at what sets Australian universities apart in the field of architecture.
All You Need to Know About an Australian Architecture Degree
An architecture degree in Australia covers a 3-year course at the undergraduate level. Most architecture schools offer postgraduate courses of 2 years. To qualify as an architect in Australia, you need to complete a collective 5 years of architecture education – adding up your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
Every architecture program provider in Australia needs to complete an accreditation process to maintain a high standard of education. Among these accrediting authorities is the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), who ensure that your program meets the national standards for education in the field and the professional competency of graduates.
These accreditations have global recognition as well and many accreditation groups have agreements with other global groups, including in North America and Asia. In other words, by opting for the Study Abroad Australia option for your architecture program, you graduate with a degree that has global recognition.
Industry Networks & Hands-On Experience
Networking within the architecture industry is a very essential part of the profession. Architecture universities in Australia encourage industry connections to help students grow their careers. These industry connections may even include work placements and internship opportunities with professional architects and architecture firms.
As an applicant, it is important to consider which university gives you the best opportunities for networking and hands-on experience with the architecture industry. You can leverage both this practical experience and your professional networks for your future career opportunities.
Labs and Studios
Labs and studios are an important part of architecture education. Architecture programs involve a lot of hands-on learning and application, and therefore a lot of time spent in studios and computer labs. Assessing the lab and studio facilities of your university is a good place to start when considering your Study Abroad Australia options for architecture. State-of-the-art facilities, expert faculty, etc. are important considerations to look for when comparing architecture schools in Australia.
Specializations
Architecture schools offer a base undergraduate course as a bachelor's degree in architecture. However, many universities offer other specialized courses as well. These specialized courses focus on more specific parts of architecture. Choosing to take one of the specialist courses in architecture can set you on the track to building a career in these sectors. A specialist subject increases your expertise and sets you a foot in front of others in an industry sub-sector. Some undergraduate specializations to consider include:
● Interior Architecture
● Landscape Architecture
● Urban Design
Top Architecture Universities in Australia
Australia ranks some of the best universities in the world for architecture. Studying for an architecture degree at one of these universities can set you up for a successful career in the field both in Australia and beyond. Some of the best Australian universities to consider for architecture are:
| University | QS World Universities Ranking Among Architecture Universities |
| RMIT University | 18 |
| University of New South Wales | 35 |
| University of Technology Sydney | 51-100 |
| Monash University | 101-150 |
| University of South Australia | 101-150 |
RMIT University
RMIT ranks as the #1 architecture university in Australia according to QS World University Rankings by Subject. It is also in the top 20 global universities for architecture!
RMIT is one of the top universities to consider for your Study Abroad Australia plans, ranking among the top 200 best universities in the world. This QS 5+ university promises to engage students in designing from day one in their award-winning urban design laboratory. The university is also the proud recipient of the Victorian Architecture Medal.
As undergraduate courses for those who want to study abroad after 12th grade, RMIT offers degrees in:
● Architecture
● Interior Architecture
● Landscape Architecture
● Urban Design
Several course options are available in each field. Postgraduate courses and PhDs are also available. RMIT also offers professional certificate courses for specialist fields.
Programs at RMIT let you experience learning and teaching under industry specialists and experts, including award-winning professionals in the architecture field. You also access exciting hands-on opportunities in real-world projects, such as the current landscape architecture students working on the Heide Museum of Modern Art’s renewal master plan.
University of New South Wales
UNSW is among the top 20 universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. Among one of the Group of Eight (Go8) institutes, UNSW’s reputation precedes it. For the fifth year in a row, UNSW received the title of “AFR Most Employable University” in 2024 at the Top100 Future Leaders Awards.
The UNSW Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture maintains this incredible academic standard. The university’s School of Built Environment offers programs that land UNSW among the global top 40 best architecture universities. At this university, you will learn under some of the leading professionals in the architectural field, including award-winning experts with global recognition.
UNSW’s Design Futures Lab offer cutting-edge technology and resources for students to train in advanced design and fabrication tools. The university also received a grant from the Australian Research Council to establish the ARC Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing Center. This nearly AUD 5 million center aims to harness innovation in digitizing the architectural industry.
UNSW offers undergraduate degrees in the following fields:
● Architecture
● Interior Architecture
● Landscape Architecture
Alongside these, the university offers the option to take a 1-year honors course with their bachelor’s program in architecture. UNSW also offers Master of Architecture programs in four specialist streams:
● High-Performance Technology
● Housing
● Urban Conditions
● Social Agency
University of Technology Sydney
UTS is one of the best universities for architecture and design in Australia. The faculty of Design, Architecture and Built Environment at UTS is one of the most accomplished in terms of its faculty experts. The UTS School of Architecture approaches learning with the motto of “giving imagination space.”
At UTS, you hit the ground running with exciting projects, such as the first-year “Amphitheater Design & Build” project. First-year students participate in the design, fabrication, and construction of a full-scale architectural project as part of the Introduction to Construction and Structural Synthesis subject.
Study Abroad Australia degrees you can explore for architecture at UTS include bachelor’s, bachelor’s (honors), combined, and combined honors degrees in:
● Architecture
● Interior Architecture
● Landscape Architecture
Monash University
Monash University ranks as the global #52 institution for architecture, according to Times Higher Education World Rankings. This makes it THE’s third-best pick of architecture universities in Australia as well as in the top 1% globally for Art, Design, and Architecture!
The university’s faculty includes experts with international acclaim and valuable experience to enhance your learning. Monash University takes an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to architecture, looking at the bigger picture of architecture, urban planning, and urban design as components of a greater whole.
Monash University also leads practice-focused research on real-world projects with a focus on urban sustainability and the planet.
Degree programs to consider for your Study Abroad Australia options for architecture include:
● Bachelor of Architectural Design
● Master of Architecture
● Master of Urban Planning and Design
The university also offers the following double degrees:
● Bachelor of Architectural Design and Master of Architecture
● Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) and Bachelor of Architectural Design
University of South Australia
The University of South Australia is the #1 university in South Australia for architecture. The university also nabs the #1 spot as South Australia’s top university for graduate careers in Architecture and graduate skills in Architecture. UniSA is home to Australia’s only internationally-recognized Architecture Museum, a repository of architectural records and research archiving South Australia’s history in architecture and built environments.
Among the university’s program offerings is its award-winning Design and Construct program. Here, you get hands-on experience with designing and building real-world projects. This happens to be the longest-running and largest experiential learning program of its kind in Australia!
Architectural programs at UniSA include bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as combined degrees, in:
● Architectural Studies
● Interior Architecture
Applying to Universities for Architecture
Architecture is a technically challenging field, and with the high standards of excellence, Australian architecture schools are a little competitive. You will have to meet the eligibility criteria set by these universities (and their respective programs) to qualify for Study Abroad Australia programs in architecture.
Academic Qualifications
The main assessment when it comes to your academic qualifications at the undergraduate level is the completion of an Australian year 12. For international students, this would be your secondary school leaving qualification. These could be both international qualifications like A levels or your country’s secondary school level state qualifications.
Architecture programs might ask for specific subjects as part of your academic background to qualify for entry. For example, some programs may favor some background education in mathematics, physics, art, etc.
At the postgraduate level, you would qualify with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture with a strong GPA.
English Proficiency Requirements
English proficiency requirements for most architecture schools tally around 6.5 IELTS band score or equivalent. In certain universities, specific score requirements are set for the individual subsections of the IELTS test. UTS, for example, has a minimum requirement of a 6.0 IELTS score for the Writing section.
Work and Life Experience
Due to the competitive, challenging, and creative nature of the subject, many architecture schools ask for any relevant experience in the field to gauge your suitability for their programs. This is especially important if you have a gap of two years or more after completion of high school education. You can demonstrate work and life experiences with a resume, personal statement, referral letters from employers, etc. The work and life experience you can share includes any internships, jobs or educational activities relevant to the architectural field.
Design Portfolio
A design portfolio is an important component of your application as a postgraduate student in architecture. The portfolio demonstrates to admissions officers your experience, skill, knowledge, passion, specialist focus, etc. and more as a budding professional in the field of architecture. Some universities ask for an optional design portfolio when applying to undergraduate architecture programs. However, in most cases, this is necessary only for postgraduate applicants.
Cost of Studying
The cost of studying in Australia depends on a variety of factors. One of the most substantial components of the cost is tuition fees. In Australia, tuition for architecture degrees ranges between AUD 30,000 to AUD 60,000 per year for international students. Every academic year consists of 48 credit points at most universities, determining the tuition fees on the basis of cost per credit point. Tuition fees can be higher in comparison to other program fields due to the technical nature of the course, involving the use of high-tech labs, studios, and practical workshops. Other factors that influence tuition fees include the study level, size and prestige of the university, the university’s location, etc.
| University | Average tuition per year for undergraduate architecture programs (AUD) |
| RMIT University | 48,960 |
| University of New South Wales | 47,000 |
| University of Technology Sydney | 41,460 |
| Monash University | 48,400 |
| University of South Australia | 37,100 |
Career Prospects
Study Abroad Australia options in architecture open doors for career prospects in and out of the country. You can easily pursue a career as an architect in Australia after completion of your degrees. If your university has an accredited course by the AACA, you can apply for registration as an architect in Australia. In many cases, your career success will depend on your portfolio and the industry connections you develop during your studies in Australia. An Australian degree can jumpstart your professional life in the architecture field as you graduate job-ready with the skills in demand in the sector.
Roles in Architecture
Popular and high-demand roles in the field of architecture in Australia include:
• Interior Designer
• Urban Planner
• Architect
• Project Manager
• Landscape Architect
• Architectural, Building, and Surveying Technicians
Scholarship Opportunities
Architecture can be an expensive subject to study anywhere in the world. The tuition is generally on the higher end for international students. However, Australian universities offer a number of scholarships that make studying architecture in Australia easier on the pocket. If you are planning to study abroad after 12th with scholarship in Australia, some scholarships unique to architecture programs for international students are:
| Scholarship | Amount (AUD) | Eligibility |
| RMIT Irana Turynska Scholarship | 5000 | Female architecture students |
| UniSA Art, Architecture and Design Higher Degree Research National Travel Grant | 1000 | Research students |
| UNSW Berk Family Award | 2000 | Master’s students |
| UniSA Desmond Tan Grant in Architectural History | 1000 | Research students |
These architecture student scholarships are not your only options to study in Australia with financial support either. Australian universities set aside millions of dollars in scholarships everywhere for international students, and these are always worth exploring.
Rounding Up
If you are planning to study architecture, looking through your Study Abroad Australia options is a great decision. The country has global recognition for its architecture programs, with award-winning faculties and experts with international acclaim. Architecture programs in Australia align their curricula with industry demand. Alongside the job-readiness this helps you develop by the time you graduate, architecture is also one of the high-demand sectors the Australian government is keen to address skill shortages in.
