Diploma of Architecture
Design and build the future.
What is a Diploma?
A UNSW College Diploma of Architecture is your pathway to UNSW Sydney, Australia’s most employable university*, and a future in the built environment.
In just 12 months, you’ll gain the design thinking, technical skills, and creative confidence to step into the second year of a UNSW Architecture degree. Whether your passion lies in architectural studies, interior architecture or landscape architecture, this Diploma prepares you with practical knowledge and studio-based experience to bring your ideas to life.
Shape the spaces we live in and start building your future — one design at a time.
*Most employable students for five years in a row – AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
2025 Intakes
August
Duration
12 months (3 terms)
Weekly class time
Approximately 20-25 hours
Delivery mode
On-campus
Progression
Second Year at UNSW Sydney Bachelor of Architectural Studies Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours) Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours)
Your journey with a Diploma program
- Overview
- Progress to UNSW Sydney
- Program structure
- Entry requirements
- Key dates
- Fees & payment options
Who is this program for?
Our Diplomas are specially designed for students who narrowly missed direct entry to UNSW Sydney, offering a supportive and focused pathway to academic success and university life, with:
- First-year equivalence: Your Diploma mirrors UNSW’s first-year degree curriculum. It’s developed in collaboration with UNSW, with access to the same world-renowned facilities and resources as undergraduate students.
- Personalised attention: Small class sizes (around 20 students) and up to 20% more teaching time than first year at UNSW mean more focused support.
- Tailored support: Access to weekly tutor sessions, interactive study clubs, leadership development opportunities, and wellbeing programs - all designed to provide a strong foundation for success and help you thrive.
With an innovative first year equivalent curriculum, you will gain the introductory knowledge you need for further study in Architecture, and a career in Built Environment.
Why study Architecture at UNSW Sydney?
Architecture is about exploring and redefining what place means to people. As an emerging architect at UNSW, you will focus on the physical form of design, and the elevated thinking that supports it. You will learn how to design buildings and settings that will influence and benefit the future of individuals and communities within them. You will also learn how to address every angle in this process, taking wider sustainability, cultural and economic needs into consideration.
Our teaching staff include experienced academics in an inclusive, collaborative learning environment. With their guidance, you will develop the design skills and technical knowledge to establish impactful careers and influence the industry’s future.
Career opportunities
- Landscape Architect
- Architect
- Architectural Technician
- Interior and Spatial Designer
- Building Surveyor
- Town Planner
- Production Designer
Your future at UNSW Sydney
Once you successfully complete a Diploma (and meet the entry requirements), you will progress directly to second year of your chosen degree at UNSW Sydney.
The Diploma of Architecture is designed to provide you with a pathway to second year of your chosen bachelor's degree, where you will have the option to choose a degree from the following:
- Bachelor of Architectural Studies
- Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours)
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours)
Note: Diploma of Architecture students must achieve a Satisfactory Grade for the Communication and Academic Literacy course and a minimum pass for all other subjects to progress to the second year of the relevant degree program at UNSW.
Ranked #23
globally for architecture & built environment
QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025.
Most
Employable Graduates
AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020 - 2025
1st
for research in Architecture in the world
The Australian Annual Research Magazine, 2025
Program structure
Diploma students learn the fundamentals required for their future studies in courses that are equivalent to first year undergraduate courses at UNSW Sydney.
With first-year equivalent subject content and equal learning outcomes, you will be fully prepared to enter second year of your UNSW Sydney degree, where you will choose your major.
For more information on each major, see below.
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What is architectural studies?
A broad overview of the discipline, Architectural Studies covers the bases of both theory and practice. Providing a strong foundation in architectural design and related technical knowledge, this stream also offers a background in history and theory, science and technology, construction and structures, and design.
Architectural Studies Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your Diploma of Architecture at UNSW College below.
- Practical Design Studio 1
- Communication in the Built Environment
- Design History and Theory 1
- Practical Design Studio 2
- Architectural Composition & Modelling
- Building Environments and Technics 1
- Communication & Academic Literacy
- Architectural Science & Building Environment 1
- Practical Design Studio 1
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What is interior architecture?
This design discipline focuses on interior environments as integral parts of our cities, including all aspects of their spatial, social and material assembly. Interior architecture covers the manipulation of spatial elements such as walls, floors and staircases (as opposed to interior design, which focuses on the planning and detail of individual rooms).
Interior architecture Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your Diploma of Architecture at UNSW College below.
- Practical Design Studio 1
- Communication in the Built Environment
- Design History and Theory 1
- Practical Design Studio 2
- Architectural Composition & Modelling
- Building Environments and Technics 1
- Communication & Academic Literacy
- Interior Architecture Critical Perspectives
- Practical Design Studio 1
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What is landscape architecture?
As a landscape architect, you’ll become a creative problem solver, combining art and science to plan, design and manage environments that conserve and celebrate ecology, cultural values and symbolic associations. Landscape architecture involves the designing of open spaces of the future in response to issues such as urbanisation, migration, sustainability and climate change.
Landscape architecture Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your Diploma of Architecture at UNSW College below.
- Practical Design Studio 1
- Communication in the Built Environment
- Design History and Theory 1
- Practical Design Studio 2
- Architectural Composition & Modelling
- Building Environments and Technics 1
- Communication & Academic Literacy
- Introduction to Landscape Architecture & Analysis
- Practical Design Studio 1
Entry requirements
Diploma of Architecture – Architectural Studies
Australian Year 12
ATAR 70
Diploma of Architecture – Landscape Architecture / Interior Architecture
Australian Year 12
ATAR 65
Academic calendars
The academic calendar consists of important dates throughout your study period such as Orientation, census dates, study weeks, exam weeks and breaks for your program or course of study.
| Orientation | Start of Week One | Payment due date | Census | Finish | Start at UNSW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28-Aug-25 | 1-Sep-25 | 12-Sep-2025 | 26-Sep-25 | 28-Aug-26 | Term 3 - 14 Sep 2026 |
2025 tuition fees
A$38,016
Diploma of Architecture
Total Units of Credit: 48
Courses to complete: 8
Core courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Units of Credit | EFTSL | Fee |
| AELC1304 | Communication and Academic Literacy 4 | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
| ARCT1301 | Practical Design Studio 1 | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
| ARCT1302 | Communication in the Built Environment | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
| ARCT1303 | Design History and Theory 1 | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
| ARCT1304 | Practical Design Studio 2 | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
| ARCT1305 | Architectural Composition and Modelling | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
| ARCT1306 | Building Environments and Technics 1 | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
Choose one elective from the following list depending on specialisation
| Course Code | Course Name | Units of Credit | EFTSL | Fee |
| ARCT1307 | Architectural Science & Building Environment 1 | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
| ARCT1308 | Interior Architecture Critical Perspectives | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
| ARCT1310 | Introduction to Landscape Architecture & Analysis | 6 | 0.125 | $4,752.00 |
Financial assistance in the form of FEE-HELP may be available. FEE-HELP is a loan from the Australian Government that helps eligible students defer repayments for all or part of their tuition fee. For more information, refer to FEE-HELP.
Please note: This information is provided as a general guide and applies to full-fee paying domestic students.
If you are a domestic student who received a slipback offer to study a UNSW Diploma under the Gateway Admissions Pathway, these fees do not apply. Please refer to this page for more information: 
Gateway Admissions Pathway | UNSW College.
Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF)
The Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF) is payable when you enrol in a Diploma Program. The fee covers non-academic services including counselling, career and financial advice, health and food services, sports activities and more.
Full-time: $121.66/term
Part-time: $87.75/term
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The program tuition fee that is quoted on your Letter of Offer is indicative and takes into account a range of factors such as:
- The calendar year in which you undertake your study in the course. For example, you may have commenced your Diploma in 2024, however you may undertake courses in 2025.
- Studying elective courses outside of your main program area. For example you may be enrolled in the Diploma of Business however you may have undertaken an elective unit from the Diploma of Media and Communication.
- Potential course variations to your Diploma studies.
Fees are reviewed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed, so it’s important to remember that indicative tuition fees shown above are not guaranteed. Any update to fees is effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are for tuition only – other fees and charges are not included.
When you enrol into new courses in your subsequent study terms at UNSW College, a fee statement will be generated in myUNSW indicating the precise tuition fee amount that you will need to pay.
Why study with UNSW College?
Be part of a global top 20 university
Successfully complete a Diploma and progress directly to the second year of your dream degree at UNSW Sydney, like 90% of our diploma graduates.
Your proven pathway to success
With over 50 years of experience, UNSW College has guided 40,000+ graduates to university and beyond.
Unmatched support
Full 360° wrap-around support across academics, accommodation, health and wellbeing, welfare and disability, and more.
"UNSW College gave me the chance to pursue my goals when I didn’t get the marks I expected. The support from teachers and the smaller classes made all the difference, helping me feel confident and well-prepared."
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Diploma & Foundation Studies
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