The University of Sydney (USYD)

 

The University of Sydney (USYD), established in 1850, is a world-renowned top research university located in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, Australia. The University of Sydney is the oldest university in Australia, a prestigious academic institution in the Southern Hemisphere, and a globally renowned higher education institution, accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.

The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning at USYD is the first university in Australia to offer a program in architecture. It is highly praised for its continuous innovation in teaching and discipline development, as well as its long-standing history.

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Related Program List​

​The architecture-related programs at USYD cover various fields, including architectural design, heritage conservation, urban design, and urban planning. These programs are offered through the School of Architecture, Design and Planning.​

Programs frequently applied for by architecture students:​

Master of Architecture - Duration: 2 years​

Master of Urban Design (Full-time) - Duration: 1.5 years​

The application deadlines for these programs are as follows:​

Semester 1: January 31 of the commencing year

Semester 2: June 30 of the commencing year​

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Admission Requirements​

​1. Master of Architecture (MArch)

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Architecture, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Design in Architecture, a Bachelor of Architecture and Environments, or an equivalent degree from another university.​

  • Students who have completed the Bachelor of Design in Architecture at the University of Sydney must have completed the prerequisite unit of study BDES3025 (Architectural Professional Practice) and achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65.​
  • Students who have completed the Bachelor of Architecture and Environments at the University of Sydney must have completed the prerequisite unit BDES3025 (Architectural Professional Practice), achieved a WAM of 65, and must submit a portfolio.​
  • Students who have completed an equivalent undergraduate architecture degree at another university must have a credit average (65 percent or equivalent) over the final two years of their degree, and must submit a portfolio of work to the school and/or demonstrate practical experience.

 

2. Master of Urban Design (MUD)​

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Urban Design, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, town planning, urbanism, geography, or a related field, or have completed the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate with a WAM of at least 65.​

Based on the applicant's undergraduate performance, the Program Director may require a portfolio of work demonstrating relevant design interests and capabilities for admission to the Master of Urban Design. A portfolio should only be provided if requested by the Program Director.

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​Language Requirements:​

  1. TOEFL iBT
    A minimum overall score of 96, with at least:
    17 in Reading
    17 in Listening​
    17 in Speaking​
    19 in Writing​
  2. IELTS
    A minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 6.0 in each individual band.

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​Application Materials​

  • ​Degree Certificate
  • Graduation Certificate / Enrollment Proof
  • IELTS/TOEFL Scores
  • Transcripts
  • Portfolio
  • Application Fee

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​Common Questions about Application Materials:​

  1. ​MArch Portfolio Requirements​
    Portfolio submission
    Your portfolio should include the best projects created during your undergraduate degree (English translation, if required), to showcase your skills as a designer and your design communication abilities.
    Please submit a portfolio showcasing your academic work and/or work experience. If you have relevant work experience, you can include group projects, making sure to clearly outline your specific contributions and tasks.
  2. Portfolio guidelines:​
    Submit one portfolio for review and label the documents indicating their contents.​
    The portfolio should be no more than 15 digital A3 or A4 pages, saved as a PDF file with a maximum size of 10MB.​
    The file should be clearly labeled as "Portfolio," including your University of Sydney application number and full name.​
  3. Graduate Admission Requirements​
    For more details, refer to the official University of Sydney website: Graduate Admission Requirements
  4. Master of Architecture Admission Requirements
    For more details, refer to the official University of Sydney website:​ Master of Architecture Admission Requirements​
  5. Master of Urban Design Admission Requirements
    For more details, refer to the official University of Sydney website:​ Master of Urban Design Admission Requirements​

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