University of Auckland

What you'll study

The BAS combines design studios with courses in architectural history and theory, building technologies, structures and environmental design. Studio work forms the core of the programme and emphasises conceptual design, representation and iterative development of architectural projects at a variety of scales.

• Design studio: project-based studios that develop skills in conceptual thinking, spatial design, model-making and visual communication.
• Architectural history & theory: critical study of architectural movements, theory and context, from local and global perspectives.
• Building technology and structures: fundamentals of construction, materials, structural behaviour and detailing relevant to architectural design.
• Environmental design: passive design strategies, sustainability, comfort, and the integration of services to achieve energy-efficient buildings.
• Digital representation and computation: drawing, CAD, 3D modelling and digital fabrication techniques, with increasing emphasis on BIM workflows.
• Professional practice and research methods: introductory courses covering contract and regulatory frameworks, ethics, and research skills for architectural enquiry.
• Electives and inter-disciplinary options: opportunities to take related papers in urban planning, engineering, heritage or Māori and Pacific architecture themes.

The degree is structured to build design capability progressively across levels, preparing students who wish to continue to a professional Master of Architecture or to pursue other roles in the built environment.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold University Entrance or an equivalent secondary school qualification. The programme looks for strong academic achievement and evidence of creative or design potential. Specific entry processes and criteria differ for domestic and international applicants; some applicants may be asked to provide a portfolio or other examples of creative work as part of the selection process.

Applicants with relevant tertiary study, vocational qualifications or professional experience can be considered through alternative admission pathways. English-language requirements apply for applicants whose first language is not English.

Career prospects

Graduates of the BAS gain broad skills that apply across the built environment. Common career paths include:

• Progression to a professional Master of Architecture (or equivalent) and eventual registration as an architect.
• Roles in architectural practice such as architectural assistant, technical designer or project coordinator.
• Careers in related fields: urban design, landscape architecture, heritage conservation, construction and project management, building science, and BIM coordination.
• Positions in public sector planning, housing and community design organisations, specialist consultancies, research and teaching.

The degree emphasises transferable skills — design thinking, technical literacy, project management and visual communication — that are valued across many professions in the construction and design industries.

Why study at University of Auckland

The University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning offers a studio-focused curriculum located within New Zealand’s largest university, providing access to interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, planning and design disciplines. Students benefit from dedicated design studios, workshops and digital fabrication facilities, and from connections with Auckland’s professional architectural community.

Teaching combines theory, technology and practice with opportunities for fieldwork and engagement with contemporary local and Pacific contexts. The BAS provides a recognised pathway to professional qualifications and prepares students for a range of roles in the national and international built environment sector.