The Department of Architecture’s professional programme is structured as follows: a three-year Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies (BAS), followed by a one- year BAS (Honours) degree and a one-year MArch (Prof) degree in Architecture thereafter. Once you have completed your BAS degree, should you decide not to proceed further, and complying with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession’s (SACAP) practical training and exam requirements, you can register as an architectural technologist. Should you also complete your BAS (Honours) studies and comply with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession’s (SACAP) practical training and exam requirements, you can register as a senior architectural technologist. Only once you have completed the MArch (Professional) degree and have complied with SACAP’s practical training requirements and exam requirements, will you be able to register as a professional architect. The Architectural programmes are SACAP (South African Council for the Architectural Profession) and CAA (Commonwealth Association of Architects) accredited. Please note: Prospective students will only be notified by the admissions office of the outcome of their application once they have met with the department to discuss their portfolio and interviewed for a place in the BAS degree.

The programme aims to produce architectural technologists who will be competent to design at the basic level and, with the aid of the latest technological equipment, perform the technical aspects of architectural practice at the intermediate level. Construction technology, design and documentation are the main areas of focus. However, because architecture by its very nature is design-orientated and because technologists are allowed to practice independently, architectural design and design theory also forms part of the programme.

This design-focused course is aimed at students who wish to either transfer to the architectural programme by continuing with the one-year BAS Honours degree, and one-year MArch (Professional) degree, or who intend to (with some experience) practice independently as professional senior architectural technologists. The design component of the course is run concurrently with the BAS Design III class. Those who achieve the required 60% in Design may then register for the BAS Honours degree programme.

This qualification aims to produce senior architectural technologists who will be competent to design at the intermediate level, and with the aid of the latest electronic tools, perform and control the technical aspects of architectural practice at an advanced level. While design forms an integral part of the course the focus remains on the practical/ technological aspects of architectural practice. This includes an emphasis on “green design” and the particular needs of developmental communities.