FAQs

As the pathway to UTS, the Diploma of Design & Architecture is developed in collaboration with UTS Faculty of Design, Architecture & Building, which has the same first-year outcomes as first-year UTS students. The main difference though, is support. When you’re studying at UTS College, you get extra support to prepare you for university study and the transition to UTS Bachelor of Design.

When you complete your diploma, you will receive a Grade Point Average (GPA). Students who meet the minimum GPA for their desired course at UTS will receive a guaranteed place. GPA requirements for each UTS degree can be found here:

Articulation requirements can be found here.

Unlike first year uni, when you graduate from UTS College, you also receive a higher education diploma. That’s why when you successfully complete a UTS College diploma, you’ll receive guaranteed entry to your UTS Bachelor of Design.

The Diploma of Design & Architecture is available to study across three programs:

Accelerated: 8 months.

Our Accelerated program is the fastest way to get into the UTS Bachelor of Design, but it’s not for everyone. The workload is intense and you’ll need to be dedicated to your studies to succeed.

Standard: 12 months.

This is the course length most of our students select. Standard covers the same content as accelerated, but is spread out across 12 months and ideal for studying at a steady pace.

Extended: 16 months.

Do you want to build your English language skills while you study? Our Extended program offers the same subjects as the standard program, PLUS Academic English or Academic Communication. This is ideal if you want a confidence boost before taking the next step to a UTS degree.

If you are a Domestic student, you won’t be assessed on your ATAR. Entry is based on your HSC subject average which must include English and your top three board-developed subjects. Below are the minimum HSC subject averages needed for entry to our diplomas:

• 75% for the Accelerated (eight month) diploma
• 67% for the Standard (12 month) diploma
• 63% for Extended (16 month) diploma

No. The diploma is split into two study streams so you will study either design or architecture.

No. If you successfully complete an accelerated or standard Diploma of Design & Architecture at UTS College, you won’t need to start uni from the very beginning. You will receive 36 credit points towards your UTS Bachelor of Design degree.

Firstly, a “credit point” (cp) is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. A typical UTS Bachelor of Design subject contains 6 credit points, with project-based subjects usually accounting for 12 credit points.

Studying a UTS College Diploma of Design gives you 36 credit points towards your UTS Bachelor of Design for most majors, except the Visual Communication major which gives you 48 credit points. Putting these credit points towards your UTS degree gives you the advantage of a reduced workload throughout your Bachelor of Design.

DESIGN STREAM subject exemptions

Fashion and Textiles major – by completing your UTS Diploma of Design & Architecture, you will not need to complete the following subjects (up to 36cp) in your UTS Bachelor of Design:

• Researching Design Histories (6cp)
• Thinking Through Design (6cp)
• Design Futuring (6cp)
• Social Media Cultures (6cp)
• Any of these elective subjects (up to and including 12cp)

 

Product Design major – by completing your UTS Diploma of Design & Architecture, you will not need to complete the following subjects (up to 36cp) in your UTS Bachelor of Design:

• Researching Design Histories (first year UTS degree)
• Thinking Through Design (first year UTS degree)
• Design Futuring (second year UTS degree)
• Social Media Cultures (third year UTS degree)
• Any of these elective subjects (up to and including 12cp)

 

Visual Communication major – by completing your UTS Diploma of Design & Architecture, you will not need to complete the following subjects (up to 48cp) in your UTS Bachelor of Design:

• VC Design Studio: The Politics of Image and Text (12cp)
• VC Design Theory: Critical Approaches to Visual Culture (6cp)
• Thinking Through Design (6cp)
• VC Design Studio: The Ethics of Image and Text (12cp)
• VC Design Project: Symbols, Systems and Visual Play (6cp)
• Researching Design Histories (6cp)

 

ARCHITECTURE STREAM subject exemptions

Architecture major – by completing your UTS Diploma of Design & Architecture, you will not need to complete the following subjects (up to 36cp) in your UTS Bachelor of Design:

• Architectural History and Theory: Orientations (6cp)
• Spatial Communications 1 (6cp)
• Architectural Studio 1 (12cp)
• Any of these elective subjects (up to and including 12cp)

 

Landscape Architecture major – by completing your UTS Diploma of Design & Architecture, you will not need to complete the following subjects (up to 36cp) in your UTS Bachelor of Design:

• Landscape Architecture Studio 1 (12cp)
• Communications 1 (6cp)
• Landscape History and Theory 2 (6cp)
• Any of these elective subjects (up to and including 12cp)

 

Interior Architecture major – by completing your UTS Diploma of Design & Architecture, you will not need to complete the following subjects (up to 36cp) in your UTS Bachelor of Design:

• Communication and Construction: Generative Methods (6cp)
• History and Theory 1 (6cp)
• Any of these elective subjects (up to and including 24cp)

 

cp” = credit point/s

Generally, yes. The course content in the UTS Diploma of Design & Architecture covers the same course material in subjects studied in a Bachelor of Design. This is how you can put credit points towards your UTS degree.

Studio and lab work is conducted on-campus. Other classes, resources and materials are Live Online. The UTS College campus is only a short walk from the UTS campus and UTS College students also have access to facilities like the UTS Library and ActivateUTS.

You’ll get the best of both worlds with a mix of on-campus and Live Online classes.

UTS College Design & Architecture students have access to the latest design and architecture software, along with UTS College’s Live Online learning management system. Students use a broad range of software from the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, for instance, InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Those studying Architecture will also use CAD software such as Rhinoceros 3D.

You’ll need the following minimum hardware to conduct your studies.

The Diploma of Design & Architecture provides guaranteed entry* to your UTS degree:

• Bachelor of Design in Architecture (Spring intake only)
• Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles
• Bachelor of Design in Interior Architecture
• Bachelor of Design in Product Design
• Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication

There is no portfolio required for entry into the Diploma of Design and Architecture program.

Yes. The Diploma of Design & Architecture uses a practice-based approach, providing students with opportunities to showcase their work and build a portfolio to use for career opportunities.

UTS College’s Live Online is a leading learning management system where students can work in small online classes, get 1:1 support in-class or outside of hours, submit work for feedback and collaborate with fellow students or consult with teachers and advisors for support. You can ask teachers questions via live video chat, messages, calls or email. Live Online means students are well-equipped for their studies, whether they’re on-campus or online.

Yes. Access to UTS Design, Architecture and Building (DAB) fabrication facilities are arranged by teachers as part of subject-specific activities. Access to non-subject-specific study spaces in DAB can be freely booked by students via the UTS Library website.

Articulation requirements can be found here.

Check with one of our Study Success Advisors to discuss your options.

Our teachers are often working in industry concurrent to their teaching, and all have had extensive involvement in design and architecture projects, collaborations, and research.

Completion of the Diploma of Design and Architecture will give you enough skill and knowledge to work in junior positions within design and architecture firms that involve use of industry-specific software and technical drawing tasks.

Yes! You will complete your Diploma of Design or Diploma of Architecture with an end-of-program exhibit showcasing your final works and highlighting your skills. This will involve collaborating in teams to curate and install the exhibition to provide the best sensory experience for attendees.

Your final work, individual and group contributions to the exhibit will be judged by our design experts. It’s a great opportunity for students to enhance your knowledge of the industry, have a hands-on role in creating an exhibit, as well as opportunities to develop a work-ready portfolio for potential employers.

Entry requirements for domestic non-recent school leavers or mature students
 
Domestic non-recent school leavers or mature students are not assessed on ATAR.
 
You are eligible for entry to a UTS College diploma if you meet one of the following conditions:

1. Your HSC subject average of English plus your best three board-developed subjects is 67% or higher <click here for subject average criteria and example>, OR
2. You completed Year 11 or 12, along with additional study recognised by UTS College. Additional study may include, but is not limited to:
   • TAFE Certificate IV or higher
   • Other tertiary studies

Please provide all transcripts and completion certificates to be considered as part of your application assessment.
 
You may also include any work experience you consider to be relevant to your application.
 
Please call 1800 896 994 or email courses@utscollege.edu.au for more information.