Undergraduate Certificate in Architectural Design

VU course code: NUAD | Level of study: Undergraduate

ATAR

Not required

Duration

0.5 years full time

Delivery mode

In person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

Footscray Park

Applications closed

Overview

Launch a creative career in building design with the Undergraduate Certificate in Architectural Design from Victoria University.

This course gives you a recognised qualification within six months – providing a fast track towards a new career.

You’ll gain a strong foundation in architectural design, architectural history and theory, building design documentation and building construction.

After graduating, you will be able to:

evaluate construction systems and materials
prepare working drawings to industry best practice
analyse key world architectural works, their theoretical and cultural context and their relevance to design.

If you decide to keep studying to aim for higher roles, you may progress to the Bachelor of Building Design or Bachelor of Architectural Design.

: Undergraduate certificates are a recent addition to our courses. They let you graduate with a recognised qualification in as little as half a year.
Take advantage of the new certificates to begin an entry-level career sooner, or to take your first step towards further study and a bachelor degree.
: Study this course via our award-winning VU Block Model®, where you complete one subject at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several at once.
Learning in workshop-style classes, you’ll develop strong connections with your peers and practical skills for your future career.
You’ll also get fast feedback on your assignments, helping you to improve quickly as you progress through your course.
Learn more about the VU Block Model®
: Achieve your full potential with The Learning Hub, which help you develop your confidence, academic ability, and study skills.
Benefit from in-person mentoring and study sessions, along with a range of digital learning modules that you can access anytime.
Get help from our online, 24/7 support service to polish your assignments before you submit, and receive guidance on writing, referencing, maths and more.
Read more about The Learning Hub

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Evaluate construction systems and materials;

Prepare working drawings to industry best practice and as determined by the project brief;

Analyse key world architectural works, their theoretical and cultural context and their relevance to design; and

Work individually and with others, and communicate effectively with others orally and in writings on a range of architectural-related topics.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

No minimum ATAR required

This course does not have a minimum ATAR requirement for entry. Read the entry criteria for this course below.

Why ATAR is not applicable

You do not need an ATAR score to apply for this course. Instead, you need to have successfully completed secondary school and to meet any requirements outlined below. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their ATAR, age, education or socioeconomic background.

Entry criteria

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:

Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)

an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE

an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies in Construction, Environmental Sustainability or similar.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Construction, Environmental Sustainability or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

VU Early Entry

If you're currently in Year 11 or 12, our exclusive VU Early Entry program comes with a Conditional Offer to the course of your choosing*, a personalised course plan, special events, exclusive discounts and access to one-on-one course advice.

*Conditions apply.

Learn more about VU Early Entry

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Undergraduate Certificate in Architectural Design students will be required to complete:

48 credit points Core units

Units

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

Graduates of this course can pursue careers in a number of related fields. You might choose to work with:

registered building practitioners
architects
builders and building designers
surveying bodies
greening bodies
other design professionals.

To aim for a higher role, you can continue studying towards your bachelor degree. Graduates of this course are guaranteed a place in the Bachelor of Building Design and will be credited for 48 credit points of study, reducing the time it takes to complete the Bachelor.

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