Facts & figures
- Top 20 in the world QS World University Rankings 2024
Postgraduate courses in architecture, design and planning
Advance your expertise in the built environment
We live in an urban age, marked by unique global challenges. Our postgraduate degrees will equip you with the creative thinking and specialist skills to develop sustainable, future-focused solutions to contemporary concerns facing the built environment sector.
Our flagship Master of Architecture – open to graduates of the Bachelor of Design in Architecture, or a Bachelor of Architecture and Environments – provides a pathway to becoming a registered architect.
Or you may choose to explore the creative technologies, from design thinking and user experience design, to architectural science and urbanism.
Postgraduate courses
- Master of Architecture
- Master of Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics)
- Master of Architectural Science (High Performance Buildings)
- Master of Architectural Science (Illumination Design)
- Master of Architectural Science (Sustainable Design)
- Master of Building Performance and Sustainable Design
- Master of Design (Design Innovation) (Strategic Design)
- Master of Design (Design Innovation)
- Master of Design (Strategic Design)
- Master of Heritage Conservation
- Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts
- Master of Transport
- Master of Urban Design
- Master of Urban and Regional Planning
- Master of Urbanism (Heritage Conservation)
- Master of Urbanism (Urban Design)
- Master of Urbanism (Urban and Regional Planning)
Other study options
- Master of Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics) (High Performance Buildings)
- Master of Architectural Science (High Performance Buildings) (Audio and Acoustics)
- Master of Architectural Science (High Performance Buildings) (Illumination Design)
- Master of Architectural Science (High Performance Buildings) (Sustainable Design)
- Master of Architectural Science (Sustainable Design) (Audio and Acoustics)
- Master of Architectural Science (Sustainable Design) (High Performance Buildings)
- Master of Architectural Science (Sustainable Design) (Illumination Design)
Certificate
- Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design and Electronic Arts
- Graduate Certificate in Urban Design
- Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning
- Graduate Certificate in Heritage Conservation
- Graduate Certificate in Building Performance and Sustainable Design
- Graduate Certificate in Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics)
- Graduate Certificate in Architectural Science (High Performance Buildings)
- Graduate Certificate in Architectural Science (Illumination Design)
- Graduate Certificate in Architectural Science (Sustainable Design)
Diploma
- Graduate Diploma in Design
- Graduate Diploma in Interaction Design and Electronic Arts
- Graduate Diploma in Urban Design
- Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning
- Graduate Diploma in Heritage Conservation
- Graduate Diploma in Building Performance and Sustainable Design
- Graduate Diploma in Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics)
- Graduate Diploma in Architectural Science (High Performance Buildings
- Graduate Diploma in Architectural Science (Illumination Design
- Graduate Diploma in Architectural Science (Sustainable Design)
Why study architecture, design and planning at Sydney?
Our coursework and research degrees offer far more than knowledge. You’ll join leading thinkers to challenge the known and explore the unknown, in a stimulating environment that encourages both learning and networking. To support research and teaching excellence, we are investing in the latest innovative technology and exceptional facilities.
Graduates from the University of Sydney are among the world’s most sought-after employees, and The University of Sydney's ranking in the top 20 universities worldwide reflects our outstanding reputation.*
* QS World University Rankings 2024
When you study with us, you will benefit from the latest facilities – the only indoor environmental quality (IEQ) laboratory in the southern hemisphere, an extensive research lighting laboratory and outstanding audio and acoustics facilities, including an anechoic chamber and recording studio.
The Wilkinson Building has one of the best-equipped design, modelling and fabrication labs in Australia and provides dedicated studio space for students.
During your studies you can take advantage of exchange programs with leading universities and international elective units of study, to visit destinations across North and South America, Scandinavia, China, Indonesia, Japan and the United Kingdom.
The School of Architecture, Design and Planning is large enough to attract world-renowned researchers and teachers, yet small enough to provide a distinct, collegiate environment.
We have an active events and alumni program that sees visiting scholars and architects speaking in lectures, symposiums and debates, while our Tin Sheds Gallery provides a calendar of stimulating, provocative exhibitions to advance our research.
We are committed to providing you with an education that promotes architecture, design and planning as ways of improving environmental and social outcomes.
Inspired by the work of renowned architect, activist and University of Sydney academic – the late Col James – with his work in the Aboriginal community of Redfern in the 1960s and ’70s, the school recently sent 16 Master of Architecture students to the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah, North Queensland to work on designs for affordable housing.
The school offers a broad range of scholarships and prizes to support and reward talented students. Read about our specific scholarships for architecture, design and planning students.
Expand your personal, academic and professional experience through a wide range of international travel opportunities available when you study with us.
From 2014-16, more than 300 students visited 17 countries including Japan, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and the United States. In 2016, 15 students from the Master of Architecture program exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale as part of their studies.
In July 2017, a group of architecture students and tutors travelled to Port Vila, Vanuatu, to begin the process of designing and building a new school for the Ohlen Freswind Community.
The ongoing project will engage students in cultural and community consultation, and disaster resistant building techniques.
Whether you are an undergraduate, postgraduate or research student there is a broad range of international studios, exchange programs and travel for research purposes on offer each year.
Exchange program
Participating in an exchange program is available to students in most of our degrees. Our International Exchange Program enables you to graduate with a truly global perspective while having your studies overseas credited towards your degree at Sydney.
International studios
There are many opportunities for you to travel as part of your study, and we regularly create new options. For example, you can count International Studio units of study as credit towards your degree.
To ensure you graduate with relevant professional insights, you will have the opportunity to engage with partners across the built environment and interactive design industries.
Many of our staff have roles in leading industry organisations, including the Australian Institute of Architects, NSW Architects Registration Board, Planning Institute of Australia, and national accreditation panels. Our adjunct academics bring their expertise to teaching and offer opportunities for engagement and employment.
As a student here you will be able to participate in real-life industry projects driven by innovation and focusing on elements such as architectural design, prefabrication, manufacturing, advanced building technologies, computational prototyping, robotics and more.
Collaborate with leading organisations and practices such as Arup, Lendlease, Bates Smart, the NSW Government Architect, Neeson Murcutt, Gehl, BVN, Atlassian, Cox Architecture, FJMT and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer.
We also host visiting international scholars for symposiums, exhibitions, workshops and lectures.
There is an Internship Elective available in every Architecture, Design and Planning degree, meaning you get the opportunity to gain real world experience while completing your studies.
The internship is tailored to suit you as well as the host organisation. The placement is for 120 hours which can be completed full time or part time, during semester or during summer/winter break.
Internships provide valuable opportunities to utilise your skills in a practical workplace setting. You’re able to enhance your studies by integrating course theory with current best practice, and this will have a positive influence on future employability.
In the past, students have interned with:
- KPMG
- City of Sydney
- Foxtel
- AMP
- The Creative Studio
- Springday
- Cali Press
- Taronga Conservation Society
- Nikkon Lighting
- SAP