university of cape town architecture

university of cape town architecture

Program Description

The Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) programme at University of Cape Town (UCT) offers a stand-alone exit degree which also provides for entry into a professional architectural programme or postgraduate programmes in city and regional planning, urban design and landscape architecture.The degree also allows successful graduates to explore diverse career possibilities, such as construction and property economics.
The Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree has stature in its own right for entry into the job market in architectural and other design and planning offices, interior design, landscape architecture, property development and in the building industry. Graduating students can also apply for professional registration as a senior architectural technician.

Bachelor of Architectural Studies Overview

The first year of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies programme covers familiarisation with precedent, elementary design exercises and later the design of more sophisticated places, sites, buildings and complexes. Other major study topics are building technology (construction, environmental control, structures, etc.), representation (manual and digital), communication (written and verbal) and history and theory of architecture and related disciplines.
Approximately half of student time and energy is taken up by studio programmes, and many subsidiary courses or projects are closely linked. Studios at University of Cape Town have formal lectures, informal talks and theory of design seminars.
Each student in the Bachelor of Architectural Studies programme at UCT is granted a work station in the studio. All students are required to work in the studios during Design Studio classes, and may elect to work in the studios after-hours. All students must provide their own books and drawing equipment.

Bachelor of Architectural Studies Courses

First Year:

  • Technology I
  • History & Theory of Architecture I
  • History & Theory of Architecture II
  • Academic Development Class
  • Design & Theory Studio I
  • Representation I

Second Year:

  • History & Theory of Architecture III
  • History & Theory of Architecture IV
  • Theory of Structures III
  • Theory of Structures IV
  • Technology II
  • Design & Theory Studio II
  • Representation III
  • Environment &Services II
  • Work Experience

Third Year:

  • History & Theory of Architecture V
  • History & Theory of Architecture VI
  • Theory of Structures V
  • Theory of Structures VI
  • Technology III
  • Design & Theory Studio III
  • Management Practice Law III
  • Independent Research
  • Environment & Services III

Admission requirements

To be considered for admission to the University of Cape Town, applicants must qualify for a matriculation exemption from the Matriculation Board, and must meet certain minimum faculty entry requirements.The entry requirements vary depending on which area of study the student wishes to enter. Please fill out the Information Request Form for more information.
English is used both for teaching and for examinations at UCT. All applicants must show evidence of proficiency in English and must submit evidence of this as part of their application to study at UCT. International applicants whose home language is not English must submit, as part of their application to study, one of the following:

  • A recent score (obtained within 3-5 years before application for admission) of at least 570 (for the paper-based test) or at least 230 (for the computer-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL);
  • A recent overall band score of 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no individual element of the test scoring below 6.0;
  • A score of 65% or more for the Academic Literacy component of the National Benchmark Test.