Design is an activity that requires creativity, critical thinking and the ability to understand and respond to the needs and aspirations of people and the possibilities of our environment. Design in the Bachelor of Design Studies degree focuses on the way humans create places through architecture, landscape architecture and urban design.

The three-year Bachelor of Design Studies degree can be taken alone or as the first part of the professionally accredited academic programs of Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture.  Alternatively, the Bachelor of Design Studies program provides a study pathway for students who wish to undertake the the Master of Planning or the Master of Planning (Urban Design)

The program involves the arts and the sciences, writing and graphics, design and analysis, management and engineering, together with architecture, landscape architecture and urban design.

In addition to the core design component in the Design Studies program, students can take electives from a wide range of areas such as digital design media (CAD), history and cultural contexts of landscapes and buildings, or environmental studies, as well as other electives from the humanities and sciences. All courses taught in the School are of one-semester length that allows for greater flexibility in planning a program of study.

Students will find themselves involved in practical aspects of the program, such as designing, making models, visiting building sites, landscapes and gardens, visiting art galleries and exhibitions, and absorbing aspects of the society in which people live and formulating proposals for improving the environment.

The multi-disciplinary core and broad range of elective courses in the Bachelor of Design Studies foster intellectual development, critical thinking and creative action. The program is intended as a framework within which to develop these skills for those individuals who have an interest in the environment and design and who wish to enhance buildings and human modified places with creative environmental design solutions.

The program involves the arts and sciences, writing and graphics, design and analysis, management and engineering, together with architecture, landscape architecture and urban design. Although most graduates continue in one of the Architecture and/or Landscape Architecture, Planning or Urban Design, some follow careers in information technology, environmental design, media and publications, arts or other fields.

Students can also apply for entry to an additional Honours year. The Honours program allows students to research a particular area from a wide range of topics such as digital design media (CAD), history of landscapes and buildings, cross-cultural architectural studies, and environmental studies. The Honours program opens the possibility for students to continue their studies into the Post-graduate (by Research) program, either in a Masters or PhD level.

B.Des.St. (Architectural Studies Major)

An architectural studies major is taken by students wishing to study in the field of architecture and the built environment, particularly if they intend to complete the Bachelor of Design Studies and Master of Architecture academic programs and become a professional architect.

 B.Des.St. (Landscape Studies Major)

A landscape studies major is taken by students wishing to study in the field of landscape architecture, particularly those wishing to complete the Bachelor of Design Studies and Master of Landscape Architecture academic programs and become a professional landscape architect.

 B.Des.St. (Architectural and Landscape Studies Major)

An architectural and landscape studies major is taken by students wishing to study in both fields of architecture and landscape architecture, particularly if they intend to complete the Bachelor of Design Studies with the Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture double-degree academic program and become a professional architect and landscape architect.  

 B.Des.St. Without a Major

Students may choose to complete the Bachelor of Design Studies with no major if they do not intend to pursue their education to the professional degrees of Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture. If in the future graduates from this degree (without a major) wish to enrol in the Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture, they would be required to enrol in, and pass, Architecture Design Studio or Landscape Architecture Design Studio and Natural and Landscape Systems.

Students who follow this pathway may have the opportunity to continue onto the Master of Planning or Master of Planning (Urban Design)

Many students who also follow this pathway continue their studies into the Master of Design in Digital Media. For those students wishing to choose this option it is highly recommended that they successfully complete the digital media elective courses at the second and third year levels in the B.Des.St.

What is the pathway to becoming an architect or landscape architect?

The career paths of architects and landscape architects are many and varied. High levels of skill and flexibility are needed in professions that are responding to global and local needs. To prepare for these exciting possibilities this School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Adelaide delivers one undergraduate Bachelor of Design Studies program that leads to two professional graduate degrees – Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture. Alternatively, the Bachelor of Design Studies program provides a study pathway for students who wish to undertake the School’s graduate Master of Planning or Master of Planning (Urban Design) programs.

The Bachelor of Design Studies followed by the Master of Architecture is recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects and accredited by the Architects Board of South Australia. These two programs can be completed in 5 years of study.  A total of two years practical experience, at least one of which must be taken after graduation, and an examination by the Architects Registration Board are prerequisites to registration as an Architect.   

A similar pathway applies for aspiring Landscape Architects, with the Master of Landscape Architecture being recognised by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and examined by the Registered Landscape Architects Board for registration.

It is important to note that while many B.Des.St. graduates continue in either Architecture and/or Landscape Architecture others follow a variety of career directions.  The B.Des.St. leads to careers which require skills in analysing and interpreting situations, the use of creative decision making approaches, and the formulation of proposals for change or conservation.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Design Studies are well equipped to continue on to a broad spectrum of future studies in other fields because of the program's emphasis on critical thinking, creative action, communication skills and digital technologies. These pathways could include teaching, health sciences, environmental law, international development, urban and regional planning, marketing and business.

School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Postgraduate Program Graduate Attributes

To practice as an Architect, Landscape Architect, Town Planner or Urban Designer, candidates must have completed a professionally accredited degree in the relevant program.

The Bachelor of Design Studies followed by the Master of Architecture is recognised by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) and accredited by the Architects Board of South Australia.

The Bachelor of Design Studies followed by the Master of Landscape Architecture being recognised by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and examined by the Registered Landscape Architects Board for registration.

The Bachelor of Design Studies followed by the Master of Planning or Master of Planning (Urban Design) are accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).

School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design

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• School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design
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