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.

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

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.

​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.

​Application Materials

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

​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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