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Graduate Diploma in Architecture

Program overview

Develop architectural skills to meet a global outlook with Bond’s Graduate Diploma in Architecture.  

Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding of Architecture including design, history, construction technology, communications, and urban sustainability.  The Graduate Diploma is an entry pathway to an accredited Master of Architecture for students who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than Architecture.  

The program is delivered in the open-plan studio-based environment of the Abedian School of Architecture. You will have your own assigned desk and workspace, and 24/7 unrivalled access to the computing and fabrication laboratories, a digital robotics laboratory, traditional workshops and an impressive events and exhibition space.  

A focus on practical real-world designing will see you using 3D printers, large format laser cutters, CNC routers and industrial robot arms to create scale models, prototypes, and installations. You will collaborate with colleagues from the bachelor and master’s programs to develop blue-sky designs for public spaces. And, in Bond’s small group classes, you’ll be mentored by internationally acclaimed designers, award-winning architects and globally connected academic-practitioners.  

The two-semester Graduate Diploma in Architecture articulates into the four semester Master of Architecture and industry registration preparing you to acquire the status of ‘Architect’ in Australia or internationally.   

Applicants to the Graduate Diploma in Architecture need to demonstrate creative ability through a portfolio submission, such as drawing, photography, 3d computer visualisation, sculpture, carpentry, and other media.

Program code: SD-93046

CRICOS code: 0101412

Program overview

Develop architectural skills to meet a global outlook with Bond’s Graduate Diploma in Architecture.  

Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding of Architecture including design, history, construction technology, communications, and urban sustainability.  The Graduate Diploma is an entry pathway to an accredited Master of Architecture for students who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than Architecture.  

The program is delivered in the open-plan studio-based environment of the Abedian School of Architecture. You will have your own assigned desk and workspace, and 24/7 unrivalled access to the computing and fabrication laboratories, a digital robotics laboratory, traditional workshops and an impressive events and exhibition space.  

A focus on practical real-world designing will see you using 3D printers, large format laser cutters, CNC routers and industrial robot arms to create scale models, prototypes, and installations. You will collaborate with colleagues from the bachelor and master’s programs to develop blue-sky designs for public spaces. And, in Bond’s small group classes, you’ll be mentored by internationally acclaimed designers, award-winning architects and globally connected academic-practitioners.  

The two-semester Graduate Diploma in Architecture articulates into the four semester Master of Architecture and industry registration preparing you to acquire the status of ‘Architect’ in Australia or internationally.   

Applicants to the Graduate Diploma in Architecture need to demonstrate creative ability through a portfolio submission, such as drawing, photography, 3d computer visualisation, sculpture, carpentry, and other media.

Program code: SD-93046

CRICOS code: 0101412

About this program

The Graduate Diploma in Architecture is a pathway qualification for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree in a field other than architecture. Students study for 2 semesters full time to acquire foundation knowledge in design, history, construction technology, communications, and urban sustainability. After completion of the Graduate Diploma in Architecture, approved students may then continue on to the accredited Master of Architecture (SD-93017) four-semester professional program. Students may commence the program in either January or May.

The Graduate Diploma is delivered 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 fundamentals of architectural design including materiality, landscape, and/or spatial atmospheres. Graduates will display foundation skills in architectural design that are creative, critical, analytical, and spatial, as well as basic historical, theoretical, climate/environmental, technical and disciplinary knowledge from core studies. Both digital and by-hand skills in drawing, physical making, and rapid prototyping are introduced in workshops, seminars, and studios.

This program is intended for students who have creative design ability and wish to ultimately pursue a career in architecture or related field. Students will come from a diverse range of backgrounds, making the experience of the Graduate Diploma of Architecture one that is highly interdisciplinary and diverse in terms of the age, background, and experience levels of the student cohort. 

What you'll be studying

  • Study overview

    The Graduate Diploma in Architecture program is made up of eight foundation subjects (80 credit points). Taking a full-time study load of 4 subjects per semester, you can complete your Graduate Diploma in eight months (two semesters).

Program features

  • Be inspired

    The Abedian School of Architecture offers an exceptional learning experience. As the centrepiece of Bond’s dedicated Built Environment precinct, it has been purpose-built to inspire creativity and collaboration, combined with the real-world simulation of working in a professional design studio.  

    You’ll be allocated your own workspace for the duration of your studies where you’ll spend most of your time working on practical projects.

  • Learn by doing

    You will have access to the computing, fabrication and robotics laboratories, and traditional workshops which houses tools and gadgets.

    Bond’s Abedian School of Architecture is one of only a handful of architectural schools worldwide where students have access to robotics for learning, with our inventory including three ABB industrial robot arms, the largest of which moves along a 4.2m track.

    Our FabLab houses 3D printers, CO2 laser cutters, a high-end CNC router and vacuum forming machines.

  • Only at Bond experiences

    Other stand-out experiences include the annual all-school Design Charrette – a unique and immersive learning experience sees you working with a professional architect / guest lecturer to create design ideas for a piece of local public infrastructure; off-campus study tours (including international study opportunities); an international guest lecture series; and a bi-annual student exhibition and publication.

  • Learn from industry

    In our small class groups, you will be personally mentored by people who don’t just work in the industry but are leaders in their field – people like Lindsay and Kerry Clare, Architects-In-Residence and Queensland’s only currently practicing AIA Gold Medallists. The Clares are the designers of GoMA in Brisbane and the Docklands Library in Melbourne. Additionally, our academic staff includes Brian Toyota who worked on the masterplan for award-winning residential/resort Sanctuary Cove, Australian House of the Year 2020 architect Matthew Eagle, noted Jorn Utzon scholar Dr Adrian Carter, and bio-materials expert Dr Daniela Ottmann.

  • Low student-staff ratio

    The Abedian School of Architecture features one of the lowest student-to-staff ratio of any architectural program offered in Australia, ensuring unrivalled access to state of the art equipment, as well as personalised attention and mentoring.

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Hear from our Bondies

  • "Architecture is one of those degrees that paves a way for so many careers in the design field. The Abedian School of Architecture has helped enhance my passion for design through the classes, guest lecturers and using the workshop equipment whenever desired. I’ve learned to express my ideas in so many ways, through collages, drawing, model making and more. The practical approach at the School has enabled me to gain so many distinctive skills that I wouldn’t have been able to learn anywhere else."

    Sarah Kukkiriza Ndagire - Master of Architecture alumna
  • Abedian School of Architecture

    “Students at the Abedian School learn to become strong, individual designers and effective team-players by learning in our dedicated studio environment that fosters experimentation and collaboration. Having one of the lowest student-to-staff ratios of any architectural program offered in Australia or world-wide, the architecture program ensures that students are personally known and mentored by a teaching staff who have tremendous professional experience.”

    Professor Chris Knapp - Honorary Professor
PreviousNext

Hear from our Bondies

  • Abedian School of Architecture

    “Students at the Abedian School learn to become strong, individual designers and effective team-players by learning in our dedicated studio environment that fosters experimentation and collaboration. Having one of the lowest student-to-staff ratios of any architectural program offered in Australia or world-wide, the architecture program ensures that students are personally known and mentored by a teaching staff who have tremendous professional experience.”

    Professor Chris Knapp - Honorary Professor
  • "Architecture is one of those degrees that paves a way for so many careers in the design field. The Abedian School of Architecture has helped enhance my passion for design through the classes, guest lecturers and using the workshop equipment whenever desired. I’ve learned to express my ideas in so many ways, through collages, drawing, model making and more. The practical approach at the School has enabled me to gain so many distinctive skills that I wouldn’t have been able to learn anywhere else."

    Sarah Kukkiriza Ndagire - Master of Architecture alumna
PreviousNext

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