Program Overview

The Master of Architecture is the accredited professional degree for a career in architecture, complying with the competency requirements of the Board of Architects Queensland and the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia. The Master of Architecture provides a tailored architectural education in a creative studio-based environment focusing heavily upon design through hands-on and digital making with state-of-the-art tools. Project-based design studios focus upon real-world scenarios with specific attention to urbanism, the future of global cities, and the role of architecture and the architect in addressing urban, environmental, social, and technological change. Graduates will display mastery of architectural design abilities that are creative, critical, analytical, and spatial and based in advanced historical, theoretical, technical and disciplinary knowledge. All graduates will complete a design thesis as the cumulative result of the Masters course that demonstrates independent, self-directed critical thinking and sophisticated design capability. Through the program offerings at the Abedian School of Architecture, issues of pressing international and national concern form the core content of the studio curriculum. Among the most prominent of these are the challenges posed by our contemporary condition globally, one characterised by rapid urbanisation, environmental change, technological emergence, and increasing socioeconomic inequity. The Master of Architecture will prepare students for globally-relevant employment through development of a sophisticated set of disciplinary competencies and acquired knowledge, providing the ability to synthesise diverse information in the resolution of complex creative-design challenges using a globally-applicable skillset that is deployed locally.     Established as a highly-flexible and student-focused degree program, students in the Master of Architecture will study for 4 semesters full time, domestic students may also chose to study part-time. Studies include content from the disciplines of architecture, digital media, construction, city planning, urban design, and university electives. Key highlights of the program include an annual all-school “charrette”, several off-campus study tours (including a paid international studio trip for eligble* students), a monthly international guest-lecture series, study with distinguished guest faculty and Architects-In-Residence, a bi-annual student exhibition and publication, and an internationally and nationally recognised academic staff of scholars and practitioner-teachers. Students undertake the Master of Architecture in a unique setting: the national and international award-winning Abedian School of Architecture. This facility and its associated Fabrication and Robotics Lab are dedicated for student use, creating an environment to support creative activity that is accessible 24/7 throughout the year. Students enjoy their own studio-based desk in the School provided for the duration of their studies, which becomes the point of personalised contact with program staff for an individualised, highly supported education. The limited student cohort size of the School is maintained to ensure all students have unique access to workshop facilities and program staff that is unparalleled almost anywhere globally. The Master of Architecture is the terminal award allowing graduates to gain registration as an Architect in Australia and other jurisdictions that recognise the award. Upon completion and to earn registered status, graduates must complete a period of supervised employment experience (minimum 2 years) and pass a registration exam for recognition in Australia. The Master of Architecture provides knowledge, skill, and application (where required) of core competencies including design and documentation, practice management, project management, and understanding of contract law and project procurement. *Student participation in the International study tour is subject to VISA approval, alternative teaching activities will be organised for students not able to travel.