Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS)
Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2013 academic year unless otherwise specified.
On this page:
Contact
Faculty Office Architecture and Design
Student Adviser
Phone: 04 463 6200
Email: address
Website: www.victoria.ac.nz/architecture
General Course Advice
Phone: 04 463 5374
0800 VICTORIA (842 864)
Email: address
About
The Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) is a three-year undergraduate degree. Students studying for a BAS can study one of four specialisations:
The cross-disciplinary nature of the BAS degree means that you share some of the same courses across these specialisations and gain exposure to a variety of subjects, including theory and applications, construction, structures, Pacific architecture, urban design and an introduction to practice and management.
The degree will provide you with the skills, practical knowledge and theoretical approaches required in the designed environment professions. Depending on your specialisation, you will gain a thorough grounding in a range of subjects across design, technologies, management, history, environmental science, theory and urban design. This will make you well-equipped for a range of careers related to the design or building industries, or for continued study and research at postgraduate level.
The BAS leads into two-year Master's-level qualifications for students wanting an accredited professional degree in Architecture or Landscape Architecture, or a professionally recognised degree in Interior Architecture.
Students specialising in Architecture History and Theory may continue their studies with a Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture History and Theory, which leads into the one-year Master of Architecture thesis programme.
BAS Specialisations
A specialisation is a focus area within a degree, made up of a set of prescribed courses. Each specialisation has a number of core courses in each year of study. Normally you must successfully complete the core courses at each year level before moving to the next level.
There are four specialisations within the BAS degree:
Architecture explores the essence of the built world as an expression of culture. Studying Architecture is about gaining a breadth of knowledge and developing the skills to creatively apply that knowledge to architectural design situations.
Interior Architecture investigates human interaction with spaces - outside, inside and in-between. The intimate connection and concern with people and their physical, cultural and emotional environments is fundamental. Graduates of Victoria design social, commercial, residential and institutional spaces.
Landscape Architecture brings together diverse disciplines to create landscapes that are culturally, socially, economically and environmentally responsive. Design studios enable students to explore and synthesise the roles of technology, communication, history and theory. Students will develop an understanding of issues relating to place, scale, landscape processes, time, strategy and synthesis.
Architecture History and Theory is a new theory-based specialisation that looks wider than the professionally-orientated practical Architecture specialisation. It focuses on the historical, social, political and critical contexts of how we design buildings and spaces.
Please refer to the Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Architecture History and Theory subject pages for more information about each specialisation and the requirements of the BAS.
Admission Requirements
To enrol in a BAS you must have a University Entrance qualification and have met the Guaranteed Entry Score requirements. For more information, please visit admissions for New Zealand students and International students.
Useful background subjects are Mathematics with Calculus, Statistics and Modelling, Physics, English, Technology, Art, Design and Graphics.
First-year requirements of the BAS
In the first year of the BAS in Architecture and Interior Architecture students are required to complete eight core courses (120 points). If you have a minimum of 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in each of two of Mathematics with Calculus, Statistics and Modelling and/or Physics you may substitute the core course SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers with a 100-level elective course.
Students wanting to pursue Landscape Architecture or Architecture History and Theory are also not required to include SARC 122.
A limited number of students are selected to progress to the second year of the BAS, based on their academic performance in the first year. Entry generally requires good grades in your first year.
Second-year requirements of the BAS
A limited number of students are selected to progress to the second year of the BAS, based on their academic performance in the first year. Entry generally requires good grades in your first year.
Students applying for part 2 will need to ensure that the online enrolment application form has been submitted no later than the 10th of December 2012.
As part of online enrolment you are required to select your second year course of study programme from the available specialisations within the School of Architecture. You need to rank the available specialisation in order of preference as you may not get your first choice due to the entry restrictions and course capacities.
Please refer to the Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Architecture History and Theory subject pages for more information about each specialisation and the requirements of the BAS.
Students applying for direct entry into second-year who are transferring from another University or Institute complete the enrolment process outlined above. Students are also required to submit a portfolio of work along with an official academic transcript and any relevant documents supporting their application into the degree programme. These must reach the student administration office by the 10th of December 2012. Portfolio requirement information (PDF, 97.8 KB).
Send applications to:
Student Adviser
Faculty of Architecture and Design Office
Victoria University of Wellington
School of Architecture
PO Box 600
Wellington
Degree Requirements
The BAS degree requires 360 points and involves three years of full time study or equivalent. Students must include:
- at least 270 points from courses in the BAS schedule*
- at least 210 points from 200- and 300-level courses, including 180 points from the BAS schedule
- at least 75 points from 300-level courses in the BAS schedule
Each course of study should meet the requirements of at least one specialisation. The BAS has specialisations in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Architecture History and Theory.
*Note: The BAS schedule consists of all courses from 100- to 300-level in the following subject codes:
- ARCI – Architecture courses
- INTA – Interior Architecture courses
- LAND – Landscape Architecture courses
SARC is the code for courses that are shared and common across more than one specialisation in the BAS.
Career Options
As well as leading into the professional Master's programmes in Architecture, Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture, the BAS produces graduates who are suited to a range of careers including project management, theatre design, curatorial work, construction consultancy, teaching and lecturing.
Professional Accreditation
Victoria's Architecture programme is recognised both nationally and internationally. A BAS in Architecture, along with a Master of Architecture (Professional) will fulfil the academic requirements needed to register as an Architect with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) and join the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA).
The BAS in Landscape Architecture, followed by a Master of Landscape Architecture, is recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) as fulfilling the academic requirements to become a professional Landscape Architect.
Fees
Fees are set each year and are worked out on a per point basis. There are compulsory fees for student services, student union membership and internet access. Some courses have additional charges for items such as study materials, equipment or field trips.
Information about fees for New Zealand students is available on the Fees web page.
International students can find more information about fees on the Victoria International website.
Further Study
The BAS leads into the following two-year Master's programmes:
- Master of Architecture (Professional)
- Master of Interior Architecture
- Master of Landscape Architecture
BAS graduates who wish to change to a different specialisation for their Master's degree may do so after completing a transition programme to provide the additional prerequisite knowledge necessary for their new discipline. This transition programme normally involves either a 120-point Graduate Diploma in Designed Environments (GDipDE) or a 60-point Graduate Certificate in Designed Environments (GCertDE).
Students who have completed the BAS in Architecture History and Theory may continue their studies with a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture History and Theory, which in turn leads into the one-year MArch thesis programme.
How to Find out More
More information is available on the following web pages:
For further advice contact the School of Architecture Student Administration Office or Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation office.
Degree Examples
- BAS specialising in Architecture
- BAS specialising in Interior Architecture
- BAS specialising in Landscape Architecture
- BAS specialising in Architecture History and Theory with courses in History
|
Year 1 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| SARC 111 Introduction to Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 112 Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 121 Introduction to Built Environment Technology | 15 |
| SARC 131 Introduction to Sustainability in the Designed Environment | 15 |
| SARC 151 Introduction to Design History and Theory | 15 |
| SARC 161 Introduction to Design Communication | 15 |
| SARC 162 Design Communication | 15 |
| SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers * | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
| *If you have a minimum of 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in each of two of Mathematics with Calculus, Statistics and Modelling and/or Physics you may replace SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers with an elective course. | |
|
Year 2 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| ARCI 211 Architecture Design | 15 |
| ARCI 212 Architecture Design Integration | 30 |
| ARCI 251 History and Theory of Architecture | 15 |
| SARC 221 Building Materials and Construction | 15 |
| SARC 222 Structural Systems | 15 |
| SARC 223 Human Environmental Science | 15 |
| One 15 point elective course | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
|
Year 3 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| ARCI 311 Architecture Design | 15 |
| ARCI 312 Architecture Design Integration | 30 |
| SARC 321 Construction | 15 |
| SARC 351 Urban Design Theory and Practice | 15 |
| SARC 352 Pacific Designed Environments | 15 |
| SARC 362 Introduction to Practice and Management | 15 |
| One 15 point elective course | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
Degree Example - Interior Architecture
|
Year 1 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| SARC 111 Introduction to Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 112 Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 121 Introduction to Built Environment Technology | 15 |
| SARC 131 Introduction to Sustainability in the Designed Environment | 15 |
| SARC 151 Introduction to Design History and Theory | 15 |
| SARC 161 Introduction to Design Communication | 15 |
| SARC 162 Design Communication | 15 |
| SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers * | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
| *If you have a minimum of 14 NCEA Level 3 credits in each of two of Mathematics with Calculus, Statistics and Modelling and/or Physics you may replace SARC 122 Introduction to Applied Physics, Numerical Methods and Statistics for Designers with an elective course. | |
|
Year 2 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| INTA 211 Interior Architecture Design | 15 |
| INTA 212 Interior Architecture Design Integration | 30 |
| INTA 251 History of Interior Architecture | 15 |
| INTA 261 Drawing and Modelling for Interior Architecture | 15 |
| SARC 222 Structural Systems | 15 |
| SARC 223 Human Environmental Science | 15 |
| One 15 point elective course | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
|
Year 3 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| INTA 311 Interior Architecture Design | 15 |
| INTA 312 Interior Architecture Design Integration | 30 |
| INTA 321 Interior Fit-out Technologies | 15 |
| SARC 323 Colour, Pattern, Light | 15 |
| SARC 352 Pacific Designed Environments | 15 |
| SARC 362 Introduction to Practice and Management | 15 |
| One 15 point elective course | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
Degree Example - Landscape Architecture
|
Year 1 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| SARC 111 Introduction to Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 112 Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 121 Introduction to Built Environment Technology | 15 |
| SARC 131 Introduction to Sustainability in the Designed Environment | 15 |
| SARC 151 Introduction to Design History and Theory | 15 |
| SARC 161 Introduction to Design Communication | 15 |
| SARC 162 Design Communication | 15 |
| One 15 point elective course | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
|
Year 2 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| LAND 211 Landscape Architecture Design | 15 |
| LAND 212 Landscape Architecture Design Integration | 30 |
| LAND 221 Landscape Architecture Sites and Systems | 15 |
| LAND 222 Landscape Architecture Application | 15 |
| LAND 251 Landscape Architecture History and Theory | 15 |
| LAND 261 Landscape Architecture Communication | 15 |
| One 15 point elective course | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
|
Year 3 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| LAND 311 Landscape Architecture Design | 15 |
| LAND 312 Landscape Architecture Design Integration | 30 |
| LAND 321 Landscape Architecture Construction | 15 |
| SARC 351 Urban Design Theory and Practice | 15 |
| SARC 352 Pacific Designed Environments | 15 |
| SARC 362 Introduction to Practice and Management | 15 |
| One 15 point elective course | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
Degree Example - Architecture History and Theory with courses in History
|
Year 1 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| SARC 111 Introduction to Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 112 Design Processes | 15 |
| SARC 121 Introduction to Built Environment Technology | 15 |
| SARC 131 Introduction to Sustainability in the Designed Environment | 15 |
| SARC 151 Introduction to Design History and Theory | 15 |
| SARC 161 Introduction to Design Communication | 15 |
| SARC 162 Design Communication | 15 |
| HIST 117 Empires and Peoples (elective course) | 15 |
| Total points | 120 |
|
Year 3 |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Points |
| SARC 351 Urban Design Theory and Practice | 15 |
| SARC 352 Pacific Designed Environments | 15 |
| SARC 353 History of Architecture | 15 |
| SARC 354 Interior Heritage Conservation | 15 |
| SARC 312 Furniture Design, Construction and Technologies | 15 |
| HIST 219 Pacific History | 20 |
| HIST 218 Historical Methods | 20 |
| Total points | 120 |