Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2023: February, May, July

Duration: 
4 years
Location: 
Footscray Park
Fees: 

2023: A$18,800*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Apply

Overview

Always had an interest in building design? Launch your career as an architectural engineer with the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural Engineering) at Victoria University.

Gain the expertise you need to integrate structural systems into architects’ plans, meeting project design, safety and environmental goals.

Our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural Engineering) covers the processes behind constructing safe buildings, with an emphasis on sustainable design. It also encompasses elements of other engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical and fire protection.

VU’s College of Engineering and Science follows a teaching method of problem-based learning. Our students learn to approach engineering problems independently, coming up with creative and practical solutions.

Our work placements and industry projects give you the practical experience needed to confidently begin your career. Students are required to complete 12 weeks of industry placement. You will graduate job-ready for a career providing useful, relevant engineering solutions.

There are only two accredited architectural engineering programs in Australia, so demand for our graduates is high.

Areas of study include:

  • architectural history and design of buildings
  • air conditioning, lighting and electrical power distribution
  • water supply and distribution
  • fire and life safety systems
  • sustainable building systems design
  • building structures and building construction technology.

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Female engineers excel in solving problems of social significance, making a positive impact on society and the environment. Our Women in Science & Engineering program supports our current university students, and inspires women to choose engineering and science careers.

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What is Architectural Engineering? - Transcript

Careers

Architectural engineers work on new building projects and renovations of existing structures. They design the systems that make modern buildings safe and comfortable places to live and work.

With an increasing demand for sustainable building practices, demand for architectural engineers is high.

Graduates work closely with architects and can find careers within architecture, engineering and construction firms.

Job titles include:

  • design engineer
  • building services engineer
  • hydraulic engineer
  • estimator
  • structural engineer.

Salaries & job prospects

Find salaries and predicted job growth for engineering professionals on Labour Market Insights, the Australian government job-data site.

Job-ready from the start

Job-ready from the start

Engineering employer Thalia Abramzon praises VU graduates' fresh ideas, team work and job-readiness.

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Green leaders

Australia is a world leader in the green building industry, with over 12 million square metres of Green Star certified or registered green building space.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by Engineers Australia and graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership.

Student and graduate members can gain access to EA Connect to find more work placement opportunities in the engineering industry.

 

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural Engineering), students are required to complete 384 credit points consisting of:

  • 96 credit points of First Year Core studies, and;
  • 288 credit points of Professional Architectural Engineering studies

Students are required to produce documented evidence of the completion of 12 weeks professional experience.

Accreditation:
This program is accredited by Engineers Australia and graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership.

First Class Honours:
To be eligible for completion with First Class Honours, students must achieve:

  • A minimum weighted average of 60% over year levels 1 to 3;
  • A minimum weighted average of 80% in year level 4;
  • An average HD grade for the final year units, NEF4101 Research Project 1 and NEF4201 Research Project 2.

First Year Core Units:

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Integrate conceptual understanding of mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences with advanced specialist bodies of knowledge within the architectural engineering discipline;  
  2. Exhibit expertise and professional judgement in engineering design practice which acknowledges contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline;  
  3. Adapt theoretical knowledge applicable to the discipline and propose creative, innovative and sustainable engineering practices;  
  4. Critically evaluate both sources and validity of information and use established processes for information management;  
  5. Plan and execute a research project, professional project or piece of scholarship which demonstrates intellectual independence and contributes to the evidence base within the engineering discipline;  
  6. Discriminate and defend the application of established engineering methods and processes to promote systems which resolve existing and emerging complex engineering problems (including those that require cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills);  
  7. Present clear and coherent expositions of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences;  
  8. Exemplify the requisite characteristics for team leadership and membership appropriate to specific purposes, projects and contexts;  
  9. Apply professional ethics and accountabilities in their engineering practice and a commitment to ongoing professional development.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4 with a study score of 20 in Mathematics (any) (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Foundations at VU JYAC

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU (Extended) JQAH

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Bachelor of Civil Engineering

University of Faisalabad (TUF) Pakistan, Pakistan

You will be credited for up to 192 credit points of study.

Bachelor of Civil Engineering with Honours

SEGI University, Malaysia, Malaysia

You will be credited for up to 192 credit points of study.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

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How to apply

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.

Apply

If you have questions, please get in touch:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.