Is the Master of Architecture for you?

The problem based learning and inclusive approach to studio teaching is one of the strengths of the architecture program at Newcastle. Read more...

What you will study

From the beginning of the program, courses are delivered using a mixture of problem based learning, design studio tutoring, design critique and lectures. Read more...

Our facilities

Our facilities are considered to be among the finest in Australia providing 24 hour access for students to the Architectural Design Studio, state-of-the-art Architectural Design Workshop and cutting edge Digital Design Studio. Read more...

Your future

There is a diverse range of career opportunities for architecture graduates. As well as a career in private architectural practice, opportunities include careers in construction, project management, property development, overseas aid, research, journalism, criticism and conservation. Read more...

Is the Master of Architecture for you?

The problem based learning and inclusive approach to studio teaching is one of the strengths of the architecture program at Newcastle. In the first year architectural projects focus on the design of a high rise building typically in Sydney, an urban design project that involves the developed design of a selected building and a mixed use project. Other conceptually based projects also run throughout the year. These design projects emphasise creative, social, cultural and ecological issues relating to urbanism, landscape and the built environment. To provide flexibility within the program the first year also incorporates a self-directed research project that can be undertaken off campus.

The final year of the program provides students with the opportunity to develop their own elective project over the course of the year, applying in-depth research and resolution to a selected design problem. The final year design project is developed within a creative and innovative learning environment, explores the complexities of making buildings for the future of the built environment. The comprehensive way that each stage of the architectural design process is articulated, critiqued and developed provides the student with a portfolio of work that reflects the making of buildings in the real world. Projects undertaken by students often have real world clients and reflect the challenging environment that architects work within.

The program is supported by our practicing professors and other leading architects through the Open Lecture Series

The program is flexible allowing the student to plan and manage their studies on a full-time or part-time basis.

What you will study

From the beginning of the program, courses are delivered using a mixture of problem based learning, design studio tutoring, design critique and lectures. Architectural design courses are based around design problems that reflect real design problems met by architects in practice, and they are used to develop the knowledge and competence required of a graduate entering the profession. Working in small design groups with tutors, students learn to creatively integrate the contributions of various disciplines to the effective practice of architecture. Students will also undertake courses in the areas of construction technology, construction ecology, architectural management, architectural practice and research in the built environment. Within the architectural management and practice courses students develop real world management skills including time and budget management, project management, negotiation, stakeholder management, team management and leadership.

More about the full range of courses

The Open Lecture Series

As part of the Master of Architecture Lecture Series a number of prominent architects from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and England are regularly invited to critique and tutor students within the program and deliver lectures about their current work with an emphasis on how the work is undertaken and produced within the office.

Why study with us

The University of Newcastle's Masters of Architecture program continues to be highly ranked by accreditation authorities and receives enthusiastic endorsement from graduate surveys. Our graduates are sought after by architectural practices and find themselves in positions of leadership throughout the world that includes architecture, project management and academia. Architecture at the University of Newcastle is committed to providing inclusive and practice oriented programs that are well-grounded, rigorous and celebrate the lateral response to a changing environment, it specifically provides opportunities for:

• personal development into a creative professional capable of operating in a global context
• studying a consistent and comprehensive curriculum that prepares you for professional practice
• studying in a multi-disciplinary, studio-centred collegial environment
• broad based scholarship and focused research
• engagement with professional, industry and regional communities.

Who will be teaching you

The School of Architecture and Built Environment is world-class and draws from a wide range of countries whose professional teaching and research interests have been recognised internationally.

• Professor Kerry Clare
• Professor Lindsay Clare
• Professor Richard Leplastrier
• Professor Laurence Nield
• Professor Peter Stutchbury
• Mr Chris Tucker
• Dr Michael Chapman

The program is also regularly supported by visiting architects who are leaders in the profession.

Our facilities

Our facilities are considered to be among the finest in Australia providing 24 hour access for students to the Architectural Design Studio, state-of-the-art Architectural Design Workshop and cutting edge Digital Design Studio.

Architectural Design Studio

From the beginning students work on projects that reflect real design problems met by architects in practice and use them to develop the knowledge and competence required of a graduate entering the profession. Working usually in small groups with tutors, as in a design office, students learn to creatively integrate the contributions of various disciplines to the effective practice of architecture. The Architecture Design Studio provides students with personal-work-stations, computer network connections and 24-hour access to allow participation in the synergy of a shared learning experience.

Architectural Design Workshop

2010 saw the opening of our brand-new 840m2 workshop located only metres away from the Architecture Design Studio building. Once inducted, students have the opportunity to combine high-end technologies with traditional workshop tools to realise their design projects. The School of Architecture has invested in the latest prototyping technologies including 3D Printers, a 10-tool CNC router, a fully-automated vacuum former and a large-format laser cutter (that can cut up to 25mm acrylic) to provide the best opportunity to create the highest quality of models.

The workshop includes a teaching classroom, student storage area, dedicated spray booth and a specialty room to use advanced materials such as carbon-fibre, kevlar and mylar. Computing facilities are also available within the building.

Our team of experienced workshop technicians have extensive knowledge and expertise across a wide-range of materials and processes to assist you in creating the professional-standard model you've always wanted to produce.

Digital Design Studio

The Digital Design Studio was established in 2009 and has been equipped with world leading computational design technologies including haptic modelling devices, 3D scanning devices and interactive graphic interfaces. High-end computer software such as free-form modelling applications, parametric design applications and BIM have been installed in all student computers within the School. These advanced tools will contribute to the newly developed computational design strength of the School, preparing designers for the digital era.

International architectural study tour

In 2010, 37 students attended a three week architectural study tour of Greece and Italy - a chronological study tour of the history of classical architecture. Rather than following a line on a map, the tour moved chronologically, from pre-historical to Classical Greece, then on to ancient and early Christian Roman architecture, followed by Renaissance and Baroque period buildings in Florence and Rome. Students experienced first hand the manner in which the classical style as we know it came into being, and impressed that style's rules and intricacies upon their own design sensibilities through the time honored process of sketching, not as an end in itself, but as a step toward later designing legible works of their own when they are practicing architects. Similar tours will be run on an annual basis.

Design as research: Canton Beach Affordable Housing Project

Three students from the Master of Architecture program together with academic staff are undertaking a design and construction project with Compass Housing. The project is to develop two affordable dwellings on a site at Canton Beach and will shortly be presented to Wyong City Council in a briefing session. This collaboration between a significant provider of affordable housing within NSW and the University of Newcastle will allow the masters program to be engaged with the research, design and construction outcomes surrounding this important social issue.

Prizes in architecture

There are a number of prizes available to architecture students.

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Your future

There is a diverse range of career opportunities for architecture graduates. As well as a career in private architectural practice, opportunities include careers in construction, project management, property development, overseas aid, research, journalism, criticism and conservation. The program has an excellent record of receiving high rates of graduate satisfaction in preparing students for employment by architecture practices within Australia and throughout the world.

Be recognised

The Master of Architecture program is accredited by the State Boards of Architects through the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects as the professional prerequisite degree for registration. Completion of the Master of Architecture program together with a minimum of two years professional experience and the professional practice exam (conducted by the State boards of architects) leads to registration as an architect in Australia and many other countries through reciprocal agreements.

Our graduates do well

Our students continue to win state and national awards for the architectural design projects they complete as part of their coursework.

In 2010 Lachlan Seegers received a commendation in the highly competitive 2010 Student Biennale (from all work produced in all architecture schools in Australia over a two year period) and also took out the AIA NSW Design Medal - the most prestigious award for a graduating architectural student in NSW.

Romi McPherson received an AIA NSW Design Medal commendation

Two of the five graduates were selected for the Australian Institute of Architects 2010 Dulux Study Tour were Michael McPherson and David Sutherland.

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