MSD FAQs

Applicants must meet the minimum entry requirements to be considered for admission to our Graduate Coursework programs. Domestic Applicants who have had their academic standing impacted by circumstances beyond their control can consider our special entry scheme Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM).

Applicants who don’t meet the 65% minimum WAM requirement (University of Melbourne equivalent) can investigate additional study in another program or institution for one or two semesters to lift their academic standing. When assessing students for admission, we will consider a student’s entire academic record. If, after completion of additional study, you have an overall WAM of 65%, you can re-apply for our courses.

You must be commencing your final year of study to apply. When making your application, you will need to provide a transcript with your academic results thus far in your study. Upon completion of your study, you can upload your final results to your online application. If you are made an offer prior to completing your study, you will be issued a Conditional Offer. Your offer will only be made Unconditional when you supply your final results and a statement of completion or testamur.

No, the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are not pathway programs into our Master’s programs. The academic requirement of 65% is the same across all our graduate coursework programs. Completion of one of these programs will not satisfy the requirement for a completed Bachelor degree in a cognate area for entry into our 2 year Master’s programs.

Both our Master of Architecture 300-point program and Master of Architectural Engineering require applicants to have studied specific prerequisite subjects.

The University’s Community Access Program allows you to undertake single subject study without being enrolled in a course. You can complete prerequisite subjects that you need to qualify for entry via the Community Access Program and then apply for the course.

For detailed information regarding the subjects we offer to satisfy the requirements please visit the course webpages:

• Master of Architecture
• Master of Architectural Engineering

If you have already completed subjects or you would like further advice around what subjects you should enrol in please get in touch with our team.

You will be automatically considered for multiple MSD Scholarships upon application to a course. You will not need to submit a separate application. Other scholarships, grants and bursaries may require a separate application depending on the specific eligibility requirements and application process. These can be explored via the University Scholarships database.

You can find your course code in the handbook. Please type your course name in the search box, the course code will be listed in smaller case next to the course name, in the example listed below the course code will be MC-ARCH.

Master of Architecture MC-ARCH

Applications for graduate programs are accepted via our online application portal throughout the year. A step-by-step guide to applying online can be found here.

International Applicants:

Semester 1 (commences February) application due date: 31 October

Semester 2 (commences July) application due date: 30 April

Late applications may be considered subject to availability. Please note that late applications cannot be accepted for the following courses; Master of Architecture (300 point)

Domestic Applicants:

Semester 1 (commences February) application due date: 30 November

Semester 2 (commences July) application due date: 31 May

Late applications may be considered subject to availability. Please note that late applications cannot be accepted for the following courses; Master of Architecture (300 point)

Applicants can find course-specific English language requirements, including the scores required for English language tests on the English language requirement’s course-specific requirements webpage.

You will need a portfolio for:

• Master of Architecture (2-year and 3-year streams)
• Master of Architectural Engineering
• Master Landscape Architecture (2-year and 3-year* stream)
• Master of Urban Design
• All double master’s programs including any of the above courses

*Applicable only to students who have completed tertiary study in a design discipline (any) where 25% of study was design studio/project related.

You can refer to our online resources for help when preparing your portfolio for submission. Our MSD Design Portfolio Requirements resources include a Portfolio Guide, Assessment Matrix, Portfolio Video and Personal Statement Guide.

Yes, the 20-page portfolio limit includes all pages in your submission including a title page and contents page.

No, you will need to submit one PDF document of maximum size 10MB as your portfolio submission.

No, you will not be able to re-apply for the same intake. Please ensure that your portfolio is your final submission and refer to the MSD Design Portfolio webpage for information on how to prepare your portfolio.

One of our MSD Student Ambassadors has suggested the following software for portfolio preparation:

• Adobe Suite (especially Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop),
• Self-learning platforms such as Archistar and Lynda
• Rhinoceros,
• Grasshopper,
• Maya

In the first instance, you can try to compress the file with Adobe InDesign software. If your file is still not small enough you can compress the size of each of your images, not just the file size of the entire document. You may also need to look into how your images are saved e.g. JPEG, PNG, GIF as different types of images work best when saved in a particular compression format. Ensure that the link images are not excessively large and convert vector-based graphics to pixel-based images.

Referees are required as part of your SlideRoom submission to confirm the authorship of work presented in your portfolio. Please refer to the MSD Design Portfolio page for more information on how to provide your referees and who they should be.

Most of our graduate coursework programs require a personal statement (see individual course requirements for more information).

Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words, be clear, concise, well-structured and written in English.

Your personal statement should address your understanding of the program, why you want to study it and how you think this program will help you to achieve your career aspirations. Applicants applying for one of our double masters should be sure to address their interest in both of the courses they are applying for in their personal statement.

For more detailed information please see our personal statement guide.

Advanced Standing (credit for prior study) is assessed upon application to the course. Our Academic Committee for Selection will examine your transcript for subject equivalency whilst assessing your application for admission. If your course application is successful, you will be notified of the credit you are eligible to receive in your offer letter.

No, we are unable to grant Advanced Standing (credit for prior study) based on prior or current work experience. Work experience comes in many different forms in such a way that we are unable to formally equate work experience to a specific subject offered within our courses. Moreover, we are also unable to equitably formalise work experience equivalency between applicants. We are therefore only able to award Advanced Standing based on prior tertiary education.

Formsite is a supplementary application form that is required for Master of Construction Management applicants with a cognate background in Construction, Architecture or Engineering. Subject syllabi must be provided to explain subject equivalency for prior study. If you wish to receive credit towards your degree, you will need to provide your subject syllabi in Formsite. You will be prompted to visit Formsite during the online course application.

If applications are complete and all supporting documents are submitted, most graduate coursework applicants will receive an outcome within 8 weeks. Graduate Research applications take 8-12 weeks to assess. If your application is put on-hold due to missing information or documents, these indicative turnaround times will no longer apply.

The Master of Architecture 3-year (300pt) stream holds a Selection Round in December to determine the intake for the next year. A Selection Round occurs after all applications are received for the course. Our Academic Committee for Selection review all applications and portfolio to then select successful applicants.

Courses such as the Master of Architecture, Master of Architectural Engineering*, Master of Construction Management, Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Property award Advanced Standing (credit for prior study) to applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline. Your offer letter will list the ‘Standard Course Duration’ but also include a table detailing the credit awarded. There will be a note further into the offer letter under ‘Additional Information’ to confirm your reduced course duration.

*Standard course duration is 4.5 years

Congratulations on receiving an offer to study with us! You can accept or defer your offer online.

After you have accepted your offer, the team at Stop 1 will be able to assist you with further enquiries around enrolment and course planning. There are some useful guides and an appointment booking system available online.

We are not able to provide assistance with your visa application. You will need to consult a trained migration agent for tailored advice. The University has compiled some general information online.

If you have already accepted your offer and you are ready to get planning you can book in a time to discuss your study goals with our course advice team. You can try the online planner tool, read some advice on how to complete your enrolment and book an appointment if you still need further assistance.

You will also find some useful sample course plans on the MSD current student course planning page.

All courses but the Master of Architecture 3-year (300pt) program are available for deferral. You can submit your request to defer online.

You can defer up to 12 months from the original offer intake. Additional deferral is possible after a 12 month deferral period only in extenuating circumstances and require additional documentation.

Yes, you undertake internship subjects here at MSD which can be credited toward your studies. This is referred to as Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and is a great way to gain industry experience whilst progressing through your degree.

The University has an array of careers resources you can make use of such as the CareersOnline jobs board as well as one-on-one appointments and workshops. You can also keep up to date with MSD-specific internship opportunities by visiting our Internships and Vocational Placement website.

Yes, we absolutely support travel as a part of your studies. Overseas study can provide you with a global perspective on what you are learning here in Australia. Our MSD Travelling Studio subjects are held annually in different cities such as Gothenburg, Sweden or Los Angeles, USA. You can also explore the AA Visiting School's short-term programs if you are an Architecture student. University of Melbourne students are also able to explore overseas study through semester or year-long exchange, short-term programs and University of Melbourne overseas subjects.

Double degrees allow students to complete two Masters degrees in complimentary areas.

Having two Masters degrees means you will graduate into the jobs market with a competitive advantage, and with increased flexibility and choice in terms of what roles you may seek after graduation. We understand that the new generation of students don't necessarily stay in one job for life. Instead they move from job to job, and may work in multiple different disciplines or areas during the course of their lives. The double degree increases mobility by opening up flexibility across career options and industries.  Double Masters give a competitive edge in the employment market, as students with the skills and knowledge to talk "across disciplines" are highly sought after in industry.

Double Masters degrees will allow the next generation of students to expand their knowledge, and will offer you more options in your career path. We know that the current generation of students have careers that are highly mobile, and may choose to change career direction at multiple points in their lives. Having two Masters degrees in complimentary Built Environments disciplines doesn't just broaden your knowledge and skills, it makes you more employable in more contexts, so you can work at a high level across disciplines.

That depends on the double degree you want to undertake, and what major/s you completed at undergraduate level. Most double Masters degrees require between 300 and 400 points of study. Students who have completed a relevant double major will normally gain additional credit, as will most students who completed an approved minor in their undergraduate degree.

Check individual course planning pages and the handbook for more information on the duration of your preferred double Masters.

In most instances, you will need a major in one of the two areas you're interested in. Undertaking a relevant double major at undergraduate level can shorted the duration of the degree by one year.

No, the double masters don't require you to complete any more than the usual 50 points per semester, though the duration of the double degree will be longer than a single degree. The shorter nature of the double Masters degree is achieved by lessening the amount of electives students are required to take, while ensuring that all core content for the Masters programs remains covered.

In order to gain entry to a double Masters degree, you must meet the double degree entry requirements. Individual course pages will have further information on the entry requirements for each double degree.

If you decide to drop one component of your double Masters after commencing your studies, you will need to make a new application for the single Masters program you wish to study. The double Masters are set up with their own unique course codes and study plans, so you will be unable to drop one of the programs. You will need to apply to join the single Masters program in the next available semester. Credits will be carried across where applicable, and you will need to complete all requirements of the single degree prior to graduating.

Once you have applied for your single Masters program please email the admissions team at msd-info@unimelb.edu.au so our team can assist you further.

Please see the double masters course page for more information or submit your question through our enquiry form.