Q: How long does it take to become an architect?

It takes a minimum of seven years to become an architect . You’ll need to complete: 3 years of undergraduate study 2 years of postgraduate study 2 years of supervised experience with an architectural firm You will also need to pass the Architectural Practice Examination and register with your local state or territory’s Architects Registration Board. If you choose to study online through Open Universities Australia, you can complete your qualifications at your own pace. You have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take at once, and scale them up and down as it suits you. This is a fantastic way to work towards your dream of becoming an architect, while balancing other commitments like full-time work, family and friends.

Question 1

What ATAR do you need for architecture?

Accepted Answer

You will need an ATAR between 70 and 89 to be eligible for a Bachelor of Architecture or Bachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science). Other prerequisites can include:

a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE)
assumed knowledge in English and/or maths
basic freehand drawing ability
computer skills

It’s important to check the entry requirements for your chosen course before you apply to avoid disappointment.

However, an ATAR isn’t the only way to start studying architecture. If you don’t meet these entry requirements, Open Universities Australia can help you get into an undergraduate architecture degree through pathway subjects that are open to everyone. Chat to our student advisors to find out more about this.

Question 2

How long does it take to become an architect?

Accepted Answer

It takes a minimum of seven years to become an architect. You’ll need to complete:

3 years of undergraduate study
2 years of postgraduate study
2 years of supervised experience with an architectural firm

You will also need to pass the Architectural Practice Examination and register with your local state or territory’s Architects Registration Board.

If you choose to study online through Open Universities Australia, you can complete your qualifications at your own pace. You have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take at once, and scale them up and down as it suits you. This is a fantastic way to work towards your dream of becoming an architect, while balancing other commitments like full-time work, family and friends.

Question 3

How do I enrol?

Accepted Answer

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

Question 4

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Accepted Answer

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

Question 5

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

Accepted Answer

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
We’ll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.

Architecture courses

Introduction to Architecture