Architecture explores the design of buildings, places and spaces and considers how they fit into the world around them.
Subject overview
Architecture is a mix of creative and technical thinking. You can analyse real-world issues as well as speculate on future design possibilities.
You will be introduced to:
- Architectural design
- Architectural media, including drawing and making, both by hand and digitally
- Architectural technology
- Architectural history and theory
- Professional practice studies
- Environmental design, including sustainable design
- Research methods
The School of Architecture and Planning is New Zealand’s leading tertiary educator in the architecture/built environment field.* Our studio-based learning environment, fully-equipped workshop and digital resources help you to bring your ideas to life.
Where can Architecture take you?
Becoming a practising architect is a common outcome for those who study architecture and go on to complete registration requirements. However, an Architecture graduate can contribute to the industry as a designer or project manager, or work in client liaison. University of Auckland graduates have found employment in private firms, consultancies and public institutions locally and internationally.
Graduates have also been known to utilise their creative thinking and digital skills in other fields, such as film or web design.
Find out about the architecture programmes offered by the School of Architecture and Planning:
- Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS)
- Master of Architecture (Professional) (MArch(Prof))
- Master of Architecture (MArch)
- Master of Heritage Conservation (MHerCons)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture (PGDipArch)
- Graduate Diploma in Architectural Studies (GradDipAS)
Urban Planning
A broad range of urban planning subjects are available including urban design, land use economics, urban planning law, policy-making and implementation, community and economic development, housing issues, Māori perspectives, cultural and heritage planning, infrastructure provision and urban ecology. With a University of Auckland planning qualification, you will be well equipped for a range of career opportunities, both in New Zealand and overseas.
Career options in urban planning include working in central and local government, community groups, Iwi authorities, NGOs and private practice. Auckland graduates are currently employed throughout New Zealand, Asia, the Pacific, the UK, Europe, Australia and North America.
Find out about the urban planning programmes offered by the School of Architecture and Planning:
- Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) (BUrbPlan(Hons))
- Master of Urban Planning (MUrbPlan)
- Master of Urban Planning (Professional) (MUrbPlan(Prof))
Urban Design
Urban designers are highly sought after all over the world. The Master of Urban Design (MUrbDes), the only such degree in New Zealand, will equip you with knowledge and skills in urban design theory, principles and practices, sustainable development futures, the role of physical and social infrastructure in cities, and the economic context of urban investment and development.
Career options include: urban designer; city, strategic, regional or transportation planner; resource consent planner; property development manager; business development adviser; environmental planner; iwi planning officer and policy analyst.
Find out about the urban design programmes offered by the School of Architecture and Planning:
- Master of Urban Design (MUrbDes)
Combined Masters
The built environment disciplines of architecture, urban planning, urban design and heritage conservation all operate collaboratively. People work in teams, and the teams are often multidisciplinary. More than this, once in the workforce, individuals often progress beyond the discipline in which they trained. For example, architecture graduates find work not only as practising architects, but also as urban designers, project managers, interior or landscape designers, digital specialists and heritage consultants.
Our five combined Masters degrees prepare you for the multidisciplinary nature of the workforce and employment opportunities, effectively giving you the learning from two Masters degrees, but in less time than it would take to complete the two separately.
Find out about the combined Masters programmes offered by the School of Architecture and Planning:
- Master of Architecture (Professional) and Heritage Conservation (MArch(Prof)HerCons)
- Master of Architecture (Professional) and Urban Design (MArch(Prof)UrbDes)
- Master of Architecture (Professional) and Urban Planning (Professional) (MArch(Prof)UrbPlan(Prof))
- Master of Urban Planning (Professional) and Heritage Conservation (MUrbPlan(Prof)HerCons)
- Master of Urban Planning (Professional) and Urban Design (MUrbPlan(Prof)UrbDes)
Doctoral study
The School of Architecture and Planning offers advanced research qualifications in architecture, urban design and planning.
To learn about the types of study and available supervisors, visit Doctoral study in the School of Architecture and Planning.
Job options
University of Auckland graduates have found employment in leading firms around the country such as Jasmax, Cheshire, Moller, Architectus, Warren & Mahoney and Mitchell and Stout, as well as in smaller boutique firms.
Our graduates also find jobs overseas, with alumni employed in the People’s Republic of China, the Cook Islands, Hong Kong, Australia, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and throughout Europe.
There are several career directions you can go in architecture, including:
- Architect
- Architecture firm founder
- Architectural historian
- Building technologist
- Computer aided design specialist
- Interior designer
- Furniture designer
- Heritage conservationist
- Urban designer
- Project manager
- Tertiary educator