Bachelor of Architectural Studies - BAS

Summary

The Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) undergraduate degree gives you the knowledge and practical skills you need to start your journey towards a career in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture or interior architecture.

Study alongside Building Science students in the first year, giving you a basic understanding of the principles and theory behind the built environment.

Gain a solid grounding in a range of subjects from design, technologies, architectural history, to environmental science, theory and urban design.

The insights you gain will help you make an informed choice when it’s time to pick your major at the end of the year. You can choose between Architecture, Architecture History and Theory, Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

Useful secondary school subjects

Mathematics with Calculus, Statistics and Modelling, Physics, English, Technology, Art, Design and Graphics.

First year

Your first year will give you a solid understanding of the built environment both in New Zealand, and globally.

You'll study eight core introductory courses. Some will introduce you to the concepts, history and theory of design, as well as how design is communicated. Other courses focus on the technology used in creating the built environment in a sustainable way.

By the end of your first year you'll have a strong grasp of the main ideas, vocabulary and technology of architecture. You'll also have a good idea of where you want to go from there.

Second year

This is the year you begin to focus on your chosen major Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Architecture History and Theory.

You'll look closely at specific areas like building technologies, culture and heritage, design communication and site systems and ecology.

Third year

In your third year in your Bachelor of Architectural Studies you'll delve even further into your chosen subject and apply what you've learned to large-scale projects and research assignments.

Get a Master's degree:

You'll need a Master's degree to be formally recognised by the professional bodies of architecture and landscape architecture.