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Undergraduate

Diploma of Architectural Technology

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This course is only available to Domestic students and your preference is currently set to International.

This course is only available to International students and your preference is currently set to Domestic.

Key details

Duration

1 year/s full-time
2 year/s part-time

Intake

Semester 1
Important Dates

Locations

CDU Waterfront Darwin, Online
Not available to international students.

Credit points required

80

Course code

YARCT1
SATAC codes
MyNextCourse

Overview

The Diploma of Architectural Technology is a one year course that develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes pertinent to the discipline and profession of architectural drafting and documentation.

With a particular focus on sustainability and passive design in the diverse climatic environments of the Northern Territory and the Asia-Pacific, you will learn how to communicate thoughtful, climate-responsive design solutions that meet the expectations of the client brief. Students also learn the practical skills of computer aided drawing for the preparation of architectural design drawings, documentation drawings and design detailing as well as how design firms operate, what professional standards are, and the processes of contracting, procurement, and project delivery.

Career opportunities

This course develops your knowledge and skills for the role of building technician in the architecture, design and construction industries. Students have the opportunity to continue study in the Bachelor of Architectural Design and, on successful completion, the Master of Architecture.

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

CDU students in a computer lab

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals, whether you study Indigenous governance and policy, creative and digital arts, communications, architectural design, or one of many other majors.

  • #2 in Australia for creative arts starting salaries (GUG 2024)
  • #4 in Australia for humanities employment outcomes (GUG 2024) 
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you

 

Creative arts student drawing in workshop

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #2 in Australia for creative arts starting salaries (GUG 2024)
  • #4 in Australia for humanities employment outcomes (GUG 2024) 
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
CDU students in a computer lab

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals, whether you study Indigenous governance and policy, creative and digital arts, communications, architectural design, or one of many other majors.

  • #2 in Australia for creative arts starting salaries (GUG 2024)
  • #4 in Australia for humanities employment outcomes (GUG 2024) 
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you

 

Creative arts student drawing in workshop

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #2 in Australia for creative arts starting salaries (GUG 2024)
  • #4 in Australia for humanities employment outcomes (GUG 2024) 
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives

What will I study?

The Diploma of Architectural Technology provides students with a solid foundation in essential architectural principles and practices. This program contains core studies in building technology, environmental design, architectural history, and architectural documentation.

Course structure

The first half of the course provides an introduction to core knowledge and skills in architectural technology. Students will develop essential skills in architectural communication, 3D modeling, and technical documentation. The second half of the course provides opportunities to further develop technical expertise in building technology and environmental design. Students may choose from a range of specialist elective units to tailor their studies to specific areas of interest.


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core Units
(5 units)
50cp

 Compulsory Core units totalling 50 credit points as detailed below. 

ARD161 Building Technology 1
ARD172 Environmental Building Design
ARD221 Architecture: History, Theory and Practice 1
ARD231 Architectural Documentation
ARD262 Building Technology 2

Specialist Elective Units
(3 units)
30cp

Choose 30cp from the following units within the complimentary disciplines:

ARD362 Building Technology 3
CRA123 Digital Image and Photography
IAS205 Environmental Justice, Waste and Society (not offered 2026)
MAN105 Introduction to Management
MAN204 Project Management

80cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

Study plan


STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time and part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge, pre-requisite, and co-requisite requirements.     
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective Unit

Full-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
ARD161 Building Technology 1COARD172 Environmental Building DesignCO
ARD221 Architecture: History Theory and Practice 1COARD262 Building Technology 2CO
ARD231 Architectural DocumentationCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
Specialist ElectiveSESpecialist ElectiveSE

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Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective Unit

Part-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
ARD161 Building Technology 1COARD172 Environmental Building DesignCO
ARD221 Architecture: History Theory and Practice 1COARD262 Building Technology 2CO
Year 2
ARD231 Architectural DocumentationCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
Specialist ElectiveSESpecialist ElectiveSE

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Special Elective Availabilities

Semester 1Semester 2
CRA123 Digital Image and Photography
MAN105 Introduction to Management
MAN204 Project Management
ARD362 Building Technology 3
Not Offered
IAS205 Environmental Justice, Waste and Society

_____________________________________

STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2

This course is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Admission requirements are met by one of the following:

  • Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
  • Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
  • Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
  • Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
  • Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
  • Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
  • Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
  • Australian Defence Force (ADF) members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:
    • Navy: Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman
    • Air Force: Aircraftmen/Aircraftwoman, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal
    • Army: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal
  • Current School Leaver Pathways:
    • Best of 3 Year 12 subject grades
    • School recommendation program

* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

DOMESTIC STUDENTS

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the standard English language proficiency requirements for Higher Education courses at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and provide evidence as part of their application.

You can meet the minimum English language requirement by providing evidence of one of following:

Previous study in English
  • Successful completion of Australian secondary schooling year 12.
  • Successful completion of secondary schooling from a recognised English-speaking country*.
  • Successful completion of a program equivalent to a Charles Darwin University enabling program, of at least six months duration full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE or 40 credit points (CP)).
  • Successful completion of a TAFE qualification at a recognised institution from a recognised English-speaking country* at a Certificate III level or higher.
  • Successful completion of six months full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE or 40 credit points (CP)) higher education study (HE Diploma level or higher) at a recognised institution from a recognised English-speaking country*.
AHPRA RegistrationCurrent registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
English Test^Completion of an approved English Test within two years of commencement, with the minimum scores shown below.
Primary language pathwayCompletion of six years of primary and/or secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country*, including at least two years between years 7-12.

Additional information about accepted tests and the evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.

^English tests - approved tests and minimum scores

Undergraduate and postgraduate pathway program requirementPostgraduate requirement (HDR and coursework)
CDU ELICOS - English for Academic PurposesSuccessful completion of EAP003Successful completion of EAP004
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic testOverall minimum: 6.0
No band below: 6.0
Overall minimum: 6.5
No band below 6.0
Pearson Test of English (PTE) AcademicOverall minimum: 50
No score below: 50
Overall minimum: 58
No score below: 50
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)Overall minimum: 60
Minimum writing score: 21
Overall minimum: 79
Minimum writing score: 21
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)Overall minimum: 169
No skill below: 169
Overall minimum: 176
No skill below: 169

Information about test validity, accepted combined test results, IELTS One Skill Retake and evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.

*Recognised English-speaking countries:

Standard ListAntigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Extended ListBermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe.

All previous studies must have been delivered in English (medium of instruction was English). Applicants who have studied at an institution from a coutnry on the extended list must provide confirmation that their study was completed within the last five years.

For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

ATAR profile


There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 5.

Student profile


There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Diploma of Architectural Technology
Faculty/College
Academy of the Arts
Sector
HE
Area of study
Arts, Engineering

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

MyNextCourse

Direct applications are available to students who have completed a CDU or BIITE course at a Certificate III level or higher. Most CDU and BIITE enabling programs are also accepted through this process.

If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
CDU Waterfront Darwin (CSP)
186071
Online (CSP)
186071
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

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