Master of Architecture
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Architecture |
| Deakin course code | S700 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment |
| Campus | Offered at Waterfront (Geelong) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025:
Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS course code | 059382E Waterfront (Geelong) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Other learning experiences
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Expand your knowledge in architecture, design and innovative strategies through creativity. You will develop sought-after skills through the exploration of critical architectural studies, environmental resiliency, sustainable design, technological advancement and social and theoretical issues, preparing you for contemporary professional practice. You will have access to our impressive a+b studio – an inspiring open plan space where you can work collaboratively and develop your projects.
Throughout this course you will undertake studies of ethical, evaluative and research frameworks which underpin the field of architecture. You will also fabricate models in our state-of-the-art architecture workshop and experiment with technology, materials and processes. The workshop is fully equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers and traditional tools and machinery.
Want to gain advanced practical skills through real-world projects?
During your studies you will work closely with construction management students, creating a multidisciplinary learning experience that stands out to potential employers. As a graduate you may find employment in private architectural practices, government organisations and private companies in property development, building and design.
The Master of Architecture is an important step towards becoming a registered architect. After you graduate, you will need to complete two years of work experience under the supervision of a registered architect. Then you will be eligible to present for registration with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV).
Based at our Waterfront (Geelong) campus, you will be immersed in a unique environment to explore urban and regional issues at multiple scales of projects, while learning how to effectively connect the city to regional Victoria. Plus, through your learning experiences and research, you will have opportunities to examine community sustainability and resiliency through design-based investigations.
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, workshops, site visits and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Professional recognition
The Master of Architecture is an Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) accredited academic qualification and sets you on the way to becoming a registered architect via any state registration board, such as the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV).
Validated and recognised by the Board of Architects Malaysia (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia) this course is included on their List of Recognised Architectural Programmes, giving you eligibility to register as a graduate architect with the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia.
Career opportunities
Graduates who wish to pursue a career as a practicing architect will be required to complete an additional two years of work experience under the supervision of a registered architect. Then, you will be eligible to present for registration with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) and the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA).
You can then pursue a career as a practising architect and work in a private architectural practice, government organisations, property development or other building and design fields.
Participation requirements
Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Architectural Design (S541) |
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Create an architectural design through the exercise of knowledge, imagination and judgement in the context of economic, social, cultural and environmental responsibility. Plan and execute a substantial research project to show capacity for specialised knowledge in architectural contexts and thereby demonstrate the ability to continue professional development and/or scholarship. Use initiative to integrate well-developed knowledge of architectural history, theory, technology and practice to design, develop and manage architecture projects from project brief to architectural resolution and thereby demonstrate professionalism as an architectural graduate. |
| Communication | Communicate clearly, professionally and responsibly in a variety of interpersonal contexts using oral, written and visual communication modes to inform, motivate and persuade specialist and non-specialist audiences about architectural ideas, decisions and predicted built outcomes. Imagine, conceive and represent ideas using the language of architecture, its codes and conventions to reflect on possibilities, and progress and resolve solutions within a design process. Demonstrate the capacity to listen, learn and engage with a variety of participants and contributing influences in architectural projects to mediate and collaboratively resolve issues and negotiate design complexity. |
| Digital literacy | Apply well-developed research, ideation and technical information literacy skills to independently locate, interpret and evaluate information content in a digital world. Disseminate creative and logical proposals using appropriate digital technologies relevant to architecture practice. |
| Critical thinking | Selectively use linear, critical, logical and/or lateral mechanisms to analyse different forms of information; manipulate and transform information to propose possible solutions and thereby demonstrate the capacity for reflection in action for professional practice in architecture. Use reflection and judgement supported by a body of knowledge in order to efficiently formulate a strategy or argument appropriate to a theoretical, contextual, creative and/or technical architectural situation. Apply independent thought and capacity for analysis and synthesis of a particular area of discipline knowledge through coherent and focussed research practice. |
| Problem solving | Effectively research and identify theoretical, cultural, social, technical and environmental architectural problems to establish a sound basis for project inception in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Use a well-developed body of knowledge to justify, argue and persuade the significance, causes and consequences of architectural problems, and use a methodical approach to formulate potential solutions. |
| Self-management | Accumulate and document specialist knowledge of architecture theories, processes and practice using the frameworks of methodical research, creative activity and capacity for reflection on action to demonstrate responsibility for professional learning. |
| Teamwork | Apply interpersonal skills to interact, contribute and collaborate in team learning activities and to enhance project potential through shared individual and collective knowledge and creative capacity to optimise complex problem resolution. |
| Global citizenship | Formulate architectural responses through concern for economic, cultural, social and ethical values inherent in human landscape while consciously integrating quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Engage with global traditions and current trends in architectural practice in order to appreciate diversity, seek equity in outcomes and adopt ethical and professional standards. |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Architecture students must pass 16 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
The 16 credit point structure includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- SRA710 Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 13 credit points of core units
- 3 credit points of course elective units
For students who articulate from Deakin's D364 Bachelor of Design (Architecture)/Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) or D307 Bachelor of Design (Architecture)/ Bachelor of Property and Real Estate) must pass 12 credit points.
For students articulating from D364 or D307, the 12 credit point structure includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- SRA710 Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 10 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of course elective units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Course structure
Core
16 credit point structure
Year 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| SRA710 | Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| SRD753 | Architecture Design: Graduate Studio ^ |
| SRC724 | Architecture Communication: Advanced ^ |
| SRL733 | Indigenous Narratives and Design Processes |
| SRT751 | Environmentally Sustainable Design and Technology |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| SRD754 | Architecture Design: Comprehensive Studio (2 credit points) |
| SRA743 | Critical Futures ^ |
1 level 7 SR coded elective (1 credit point)
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| SRD765 | Architectural Design and Resolution (2 credit points) |
| SRD755 | Architecture Research: Masterclass Preparation |
1 level 7 SR coded elective (1 credit point)
Year 2 - Trimester 2
| SRD766 | Architecture Masterclass Design Research Studio (2 credit points) |
| SRM750 | Built Environment Professional Practice |
1 level 7 SR coded elective (1 credit point)
^ Students entering the 12 credit point course structure are exempt from units SRD753, SRC724 and SRA743, and 1 course elective unit.
12 credit point structure (D364 and D307 Articulating students only)
Year 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| SRA710 | Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| SRD765 | Architectural Design and Resolution (2 credit points) |
| SRL733 | Indigenous Narratives and Design Processes |
| SRT751 | Environmentally Sustainable Design and Technology |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| SRD754 | Architecture Design: Comprehensive Studio (2 credit points) |
| SRD755 | Architecture Research: Masterclass Preparation |
1 level 7 SR coded elective (1 credit point)
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| SRD766 | Architecture Masterclass Design Research Studio (2 credit points) |
| SRM750 | Built Environment Professional Practice |
1 level 7 SR coded elective (1 credit point)
Course Elective units:
Students entering the 16 credit point course structure - 3 level 7 electives (3 credit points)
OR
Students entering the 12 credit point course structure - 2 level 7 electives (2 credit points).
Students may select elective units from the list below or from any level 7 SR coded unit [An alternative elective may be undertaken and will require approval by the S700 Master of Architecture Course Director].
| SRD760 | Geo-Planning and Design |
| SRM776 | Introduction to Construction Management |
| SRM751 | Principles of Building Information Modelling |
| SRM777 | Construction Management Practice ^ |
| SRQ762 | Cost Planning |
| SRQ774 | Construction Measurement and Estimating |
| SRQ780 | Strategic Construction Procurement |
| SRR711 | Thesis (2 credit points)* |
| SRR767 | Built Environment Study Tour |
| SRR722 | Built Environment Project |
| SRT757 | Building Systems and Environment |
| SRV799 | Integrated Project Management |
*Students intending to apply for entry into Higher Degree by Research may be required to completed SRD755 Architecture Research: Masterclass Preparation and SRR711 Thesis (2cp).
^ Completion of STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit) as a pre-requisite
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Other learning experiences
You may choose to use one of your elective units to participate in a study tour to enhance your global architectural awareness and experience. You will also have an opportunity to contribute to the student led, designed and managed end of year curated exhibition.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.