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. You can find out what you need to get into your preferred qualification by going to the course description page.

The good news is, when you study through Open Universities Australia, we can point you to a number of pathways into architecture that don't have any entry requirements. Contact us to learn more about your options.

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 read the page for course that you're 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

Enrolling online is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Find your course

• Browse the options on this page.

• Use our comparison tool to explore the different choices.

• Need help? Book a free phone consultation with a student advisor for personalised guidance.

2. Start your enrolment

• When you’re ready, click ‘Start studying now’ on the course page.

• Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment.

• You’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as:

  • Proof of identity

  • Your tax file number

  • A Unique Student Identifier (USI)

3. Wait for confirmation

Your chosen university will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.

Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course listing page.

For more details, check our online self-service enrolment guide. And if you need help at any stage, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.