Bachelor of Design (Architecture)
at The University of Newcastle, New South Wales.
A three-year architecture degree at Callaghan and the first step toward registration via the Master of Architecture. No prerequisites; recommended studies are English, any 2 units of history and one or more of Design and Technology, Industrial Technology or Visual Arts.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the UoN Bachelor of Design (Architecture) for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 73.55 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 54.50 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 65.15 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Study areas include the architectural site as landscape, construction and detailing of buildings, construction technology and ecology, digital and parametric design processes, and sustainable design practices. Students complete 140 hours of placement or work-integrated activities through the course Work Integrated Learning in the Built Environment, and work on live projects and public exhibitions.
Placement and industry experience
Students complete 140 hours of placement experiences or activities through the course ARBE3030 Work Integrated Learning in the Built Environment, alongside live projects and public exhibitions of their work.
Career outcomes
- Graduates typically progress to the two-year Master of Architecture at the University of Newcastle to qualify as a registered architect with the NSW Architects Registration Board.
- First roles after the bachelor include architectural assistant positions in Newcastle, Hunter and Sydney practices, model-making and 3D visualisation work.
- Some graduates move into related fields such as urban design, property development, building design and sustainability consulting.
Professional accreditation
- Validated by the Board of Architects Malaysia (Part I exemption)
Typical first jobs
- Architectural assistant at design and architectural practices
- Junior BIM modeller and Revit specialist
- Continuing directly into Master of Architecture
- Interior designer (with appropriate stream)
- Urban design assistant at councils and planning consultancies
- Construction project assistant at builders and developers
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: qilt.edu.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
To register as an architect in Australia, graduates complete an accredited Master of Architecture and practical experience. The program is also validated by the Board of Architects Malaysia as exempt from its Part I examination.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with a creative-design mindset and visual problem-solving skills
- Those willing to spend 25 to 40 hours weekly in independent studio work
- People comfortable presenting and defending work in juries
- Students prepared for the five-year combined pathway
- Those happy to learn software tools (Revit, Rhino, AutoCAD) intensively
It is probably not for you if
- Students who dislike studio-style portfolio assessment
- Those unprepared for the full five-year sequence (BDes plus M.Arch)
- Anyone uncomfortable with intensive group critiques and public reviews
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the University of Newcastle website and on UAC before applying.