Course overview
- Description
The Master of Architecture is the professional degree in Architecture accredited in Australia by the Architects Board of Western Australia and qualifies students for a professional career in architecture or in an allied field, providing the knowledge and skills central to success in practice.
The course is characterised by a strong emphasis on design expertise; a significant focus on technical and environmental proficiency; grounding in cultural awareness; and the development of professionally relevant research skills. It comprises a core program in conceptual and detailed design, technology and professional practice. Students have the opportunity to choose option units from across critical studies, technical studies and design streams to increase their knowledge in a range of areas of architecture. Alternatively, students may choose to complete a specific Focus Area of study from amongst a list provided; or to undertake a Research Pathway.
- Course title
- Master of Architecture (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
- Award abbreviation
- MArch
- Course code
- 25520
- Course type
- Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
- Status
- Current / 2025
- Administered by
- UWA Design School
- CRICOS code
- 084738G
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year and mid-year
- Attendance type
- Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
- Credit points required
- 168
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 2 years (for students with an architectural background) full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 96 points of taught units and 72 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
- Maximum course duration
- 3.5 years (for graduates of other disciplines) full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 168 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
- Professional accreditation
- Master of Architecture (coursework or coursework and dissertation) is accredited by: AACA / Architects Board of Western Australia.
- Time limit
- 7 years
- Delivery mode
- Internal
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Dr Beth George
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.
Focus areas
FA-BDIMD Building Information Modelling
FA-LNDSN Landscape Design
FA-SIDSN Social Impact Design
FA-UBDSN Urban Design
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- N/A
- not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
For students in Course by Coursework without a Focus Area, take all Core units (60 points) and 36 points of Option units, consisting of up to 24 points from Option Group A, at least 6 points from Option Group B, and at least 6 points from Option Group C.
For students in Course by Coursework with a Focus Area, take all Core units (60 points), all required units from the selected Focus Area (24 points), and 12 points of Option units as specified by the Focus Area.
For students in Course by Coursework and Dissertation, take all Core units (60 points), all units from the Dissertation (24 points), and 12 points of Option units from Group A, B, or C.
Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Environmental Design with majors in Architecture or equivalent as recognised by the University, must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 72 points.
Take all units (54 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ARCT5601 | Architecture Studio 1 (12 points) |
| studio: up to 4 hours per week |
| S2 | ARCT5602 | Architecture Studio 2 (12 points) | studio: up to 4 hours per week | |
| N/A | ARCT5603 | Architecture Studio 3 (12 points) | studio: up to 4 hours per week | |
| S1 | ARCT5801 | Architectural Practice 1: Initiation | lectures: 12 hours; tutorials: 24 hours | |
| N/A | ARCT5802 | Architectural Practice 2: Technology & Documents | lectures: 12 hours; tutorials: 24 hours | |
| N/A | ARCT5803 | Architectural Practice 3: Realisation | lectures: 12 hours; tutorials: 24 hours |
Take one unit (6 credit points) from this group:
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ARCT4585 | Living Architecture | None | Seminars: up to 3 hours per week |
| S2 | ARCT5701 | Environmental Frameworks for Architecture |
| Seminars: up to 3 hours per week |
Students may complete units from Group A to a maximum value of 24 points.
Group A
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | ARCT5202 | Detailed Design Studio 2 (12 points) |
| studio: up to 4 hours per week |
| NS | ARCT5301 | Intensive Architecture Studio 1 (12 points) |
| studio: 12 hours per week |
| NS | ARCT5302 | Intensive Studio 2 (12 points) |
| studio: 12 hours per week |
| S1, S2 | ARCT5502 | Independent Design Research (12 points) |
| Generally one hour per week during the semester, through individual supervision. |
Students without a focus area or dissertation must complete units from Group B to the value of at least 6 points. For these students the total units completed from Groups A, B and C must equal 36 points.
Group B
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | ARCT5513 | Near Future Scenarios for a New Architectural Era | None | 3 hour seminar each week |
| S2 | ARCT5528 | Delivering Good Design | None | up to 3 hours per week for up to 12 weeks |
| N/A | ARCT5529 | Forensic Architecture | None | seminars: 3 hours per week for up to 12 weeks |
| S1 | ARCT5576 | Introduction to Architectural Conservation |
| Lectures: 24 hours; tutorials/site visits: 11 hours |
| S2 | ARCT5577 | Conservation in Cultural Landscapes, Historic Towns and Urban Precincts |
| Introductory lecture: 1 x 2 hours; lectures/field work exercises/seminars: 3 hours per week |
| N/A | ARCT5578 | Building Pictures | None | seminars: up to 3 hours a week for 12 weeks |
| N/A | ARCT5586 | Australian Architecture in a Global Setting | None | seminars: up to 3 hours per week |
| S2 | ARLA4506 | Research Strategies in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Architecture |
| 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial |
| S1 | LACH4505 | Critical Theory: 'isms and 'ologies in Landscape Architecture | None | Lectures and seminars: 3–4 hours per week |
| S1 | URBD5803 | Sustainability and Cities | None | 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial per week |
| S2 | URBD5805 | Contemporary Urbanism | None | 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial per week |
| S1 | URBD5807 | The Forces that Shape Cities |
| 1 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial per week |
Students without a focus area or dissertation must complete units from Group C to the value of at least 6 points. For these students the total units completed from Groups A, B and C must equal 36 points.
Group C
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | ARCT5510 | Housing | None | seminars: 2 hours per week for 11 weeks; lectures: 1 hour per week for 11 weeks |
| N/A | ARCT5518 | BIM Workflows | lectures: 1 hour per week; tutorials: 2 hours per week | |
| N/A | ARCT5520 | Drawing Resilience | None | Lectures and tutorials 36 hours: 3 hours per week for 12 weeks from week 1 |
| S1 | ARCT5521 | Empowering Communities Through Design | None | 3 hours per week |
| S2 | ARCT5536 | Photo Real Rendering | None | workshops: 3 hours per week |
| N/A | ARCT5575 | Practical Building Conservation |
| Introductory lecture: 1 x 2 hours; lectures/field work exercises/tutorials: 3 hours per week |
| N/A | ARCT5580 | Advanced Architectural Animation | None | 36 (workshops: 12 x 3 hours per week) |
| S1 | ARCT5589 | Furniture Design | None | lectures: 12 hours; seminars/workshops: 24 hours |
| NS, S2 | ARCT5590 | Architectural Studies | None | 36hrs lectures/seminars |
| S2 | ARCT5593 | Furniture: from prototype to production | None | lectures: 12 hours; seminars/workshops: 24 hours |
| N/A | ARCT5885 | Bio-Based Materials in Global Settings | None | lectures: 1 hour; workshop/practical classes; 2 hours for up to 12 weeks |
| S1 | BLDG5000 | BIM Authors |
| 3 hours per week. |
| S1 | BLDG5300 | BIM Sustainability |
| 3 hours per week. |
| N/A | LAWS5398 | Construction Law |
| This unit will run 25-27 September 2024. Please refer to the timetable website for session times and venues. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. |
| NS, S1, S2 | WILG5001 | Work Integrated Learning Internship Program |
| Industry experience: 100 hours Online sessions with Unit Coordinator: 1-2 hours |
For students completing the course by coursework and dissertation, take all units in this group (24 points) and select additional unit(s) from Groups A, B and/or C to the value of 12 points.
Dissertation
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | ARCT5010 | Independent Research Part 1 |
| meetings with supervisor: approx 1 hour per week; presentations: through semester |
| S1, S2 | ARCT5011 | Independent Research Part 2 (12 points) |
| meetings with supervisor: approx 1 hour per week; presentations: through semester |
| S2 | ARLA4506 | Research Strategies in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Architecture |
| 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial |
Building Information Modelling (focus area)
Take all units from this specialisation group (24 points) and select additional units to the value of (12 points) from Groups B and C with at least 1 unit from Group B (6 points).
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | BLDG5000 | BIM Authors |
| 3 hours per week. |
| S1 | BLDG5300 | BIM Sustainability |
| 3 hours per week. |
| S1, S2 | BLDG5800 | Major Project (12 points) |
| 3 hour studio per week |
Landscape Design (focus area)
Take units from this specialisation group (24 points) and select units to the value of 12 points from Group A, B or C.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | LACH4423 | Landscape and Urban Ecology | None | seminar (lectures: 1 hour per week and seminars: 3 hours per week) |
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | LACH4421 | Australian Landscapes | None | seminars: 3–4 hours per week |
| S1 | LACH4505 | Critical Theory: 'isms and 'ologies in Landscape Architecture | None | Lectures and seminars: 3–4 hours per week |
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | LACH5422 | Design Studio—Making (12 points) |
| up to 9 hours per week |
| S1 | LACH5424 | Design Studio—Complexity (12 points) |
| studio: up to 9 hours per week |
Social Impact Design (focus area)
Take all units from this group (6 points).
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ARCT5521 | Empowering Communities Through Design | None | 3 hours per week |
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ARCT4585 | Living Architecture | None | Seminars: up to 3 hours per week |
| N/A | ARCT5885 | Bio-Based Materials in Global Settings | None | lectures: 1 hour; workshop/practical classes; 2 hours for up to 12 weeks |
Take one unit from this group (12 points) to complete a studio with an approved Social Impact topic; and select additional units from Groups B and C to the value of 12 points, including at least 6 points from Group B.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | ARCT5102 | Architecture Studio 2 (12 points) |
| studio: up to 4 hours per week |
| S1, S2 | ARCT5202 | Detailed Design Studio 2 (12 points) |
| studio: up to 4 hours per week |
Urban Design (focus area)
Take all units from this specialisation group (24 points) and select additional units from Groups A, B and C to a value of 12 points.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | URBD5803 | Sustainability and Cities | None | 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial per week |
| S1 | URBD5804 | Urban Design Studio 1 (12 points) | None | 6 hours studio per week |
| S1 | URBD5807 | The Forces that Shape Cities |
| 1 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial per week |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.
Admission requirements
4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 60 per cent.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Articulations and exit awards
6. This course does not form part of an articulated sequence.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 168 points (maximum value) which includes conversion units to a value of 72 points, course core units and focus area units. The course comprises the following focus areas :
- FA-BDIMD Building Information Modelling
- FA-LNDSN Landscape Design
- FA-SIDSN Social Impact Design
- FA-UBDSN Urban Design
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
(3) Students who have completed a Bachelor of Arts with co-requisite majors in Architecture, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 72 points.
Satisfactory progress
8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.
(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—
(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';
(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';
(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).
Additional rules
Time limit
14.(1) Unless the University approves an extension, the time limit is seven years from the beginning of the semester in which the first unit is credited towards the course.
[Approved exception to University Policy]