Architecture courses

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.

An architecture course will teach you about the philosophy, practice and science that underpins the architectural profession. Keep in mind that becoming a registered architect in Australia requires both an undergraduate and postgraduate degree.

In an undergraduate architecture degree, you’ll study topics such as:

• The relationship between the human, natural and built environment

• Building materials and how they impact structures

• Interior design philosophy and practice

• Architectural methods including 3D computer-aided design (CAD), technical drawing and model-making.

In a postgraduate degree, you’ll build on your previous learnings as well as:

• Take part in work-based projects

• Complete a dissertation in architectural design

If you would like an introduction to architecture, before committing to a full degree, there are many relevant short courses—as well as undergraduate certificates that often run for six months. These cover topics such as:

• The history of architecture

• Architectural movements

• Interior design

• Sustainability

The entry requirements to study architecture online vary from course to course. Make sure you have a look at the course pages of the specific online architectural degrees that you are interested in to check if there are any requirements.

The good news is, when you study through Open Universities Australia, it may be possible to get into your field of choice without needing to meet entry requirements. Feel free to chat with us more about this.

This depends on the online architecture course you choose. Some courses offer or require a work-based practicum placement, in which you’ll gain hands-on experience by working at an architectural firm.

It’s best to have a read of the course pages of the specific online architecture degrees that you are interested in to learn more about this.

Yes, absolutely. If you choose to study an online architecture degree through Open Universities Australia, you can complete your qualification at a pace of your choosing.

You have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take at once—and can scale up and down as it suits you. This is a fantastic way to work towards your dream of becoming an architect, while balancing other work and life commitments.

In Australia, it takes a minimum of seven years to become a registered architect. To do so, 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’re not yet sure that architecture is the field for you, you might like to explore these related study areas:

• Urban planning courses

• Engineering courses

• Environmental science courses

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.