University Of The Witwatersrand Architecture, The Architecture Programme at Wits University aims to become a centre for the study of architecture in the developing world. In addition to its historical status as a leading school in South Africa, it is transforming to foster the study of the architecture of the multi-cultural, multi-lingual African continent and to interrogate its rapidly urbanising post colonial, globalising context. Here the city of Johannesburg is its laboratory.
Currently this programme is being directed by Associate Professor Ariane Janse van Rensburg for Undergraduate Studies and Adjunct Professor Hilton Judin for Postgraduate Studies.
The following degrees are offered:
- Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) is a three year undergraduate degree fulfilling the academic requirements for registration as an Architectural Technologist with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP).
- Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Honours, BAS (Hons) is a one year honours level exit degree and a prerequisite for admission to the M.Arch (Professional) degree.
- Master of Architecture (Professional) is a one year masters by coursework degree fulfilling the academic requirements for registration as a Professional Architect with the South African Council for the Architecture Profession.
- Master of Architecture (MArch) by research. Is a full-time or part time Masters requiring in-depth research and written thesis. The School of Architecture and Planning is equipped to supervise Masters and PhD by research with expertise in the area of architectural, urban and planning theory and sustainable development.
Validation of architecture degrees offered by Wits
The 2016 accreditation visit by the South African Council for the Architectural Professions (SACAP) and the Commonwealth Association of Architects resulted in full continuing and unconditional validation of all architecture degrees offered at Wits.
Architectural Studies
Architecture is the art, science and business of building. The Bachelor of Architectural Studies focuses on aesthetic, theoretical and practical concerns in the built environment. It involves social, cultural, developmental, contextual, environmental, technical, and financial issues.
Programme overview
Architecture is part of the social and cultural heritage we leave for future generations. An architect is responsible for the design of buildings and their environment. Through the design of spaces, structures, materials and their organisation, an architect makes places that enhance human lives and experiences, an architect makes places for human beings to use, enjoy and which extends their perception of the world.
The Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) curriculum extends over three years. Acceptance into the course is subject to a competitive selection process for applicants who meet the required minimum standards, as a limited number of students can be accepted each year.
Architectural Design and Theory forms the main component of the degree together with Theory and Practice of Construction and Histories and Theories of Architecture. These courses are presented through lectures and seminars, but the core learning takes place in the studios, around which all activities revolve. Much time is spent here doing projects under guidance of staff members. In this degree, all subjects inform and are integrated into Architectural Design and Theory and many projects run across the courses.
Practicing architects and international guests visit the School and participate both in seminars and juries during which students’ work is critically examined.
After completing the BAS programme, a student is required to spend a year away from University working for 12 months in an architectural practice.
In terms of the new legislation, the award of a BAS qualifies the student for registration with the South African Council for the Architectural Professions as an Architectural Technologist.
Becoming an Architect
To become an architect students need to complete postgraduate level programmes. The BAS(Hons) qualification extends over one year of full-time study, followed by the the Master of Architecture (Professional), which extends over a year of full-time study.
The Master of Architecture (Professional) qualifies the graduate for registration as a Candidate Professional Architect. After two years of work in the offices of a registered architect the Candidate Professional Architect may qualify for registration as an architect.
Our professionally qualifying architecture degrees are accredited by the South African Council of Architects and validated by the Commonwealth Association of Architects
Career Opportunities
- Architect
- Urban planner/studies
- Researcher
- Architectural technologist
- Landscape designer
- Lecturer
- Interior designer
- Draughtsperson
Entry Requirements
Engineering and the Built Environment |
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| Programme | Minimum Admission Requirements | Selection procedures | |
| APS | Subjects & achieved scale | ||
| Bachelor of Science in Engineering BSc (Eng) (4 years) | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 Physical Science – 5 | Note: Due to the limited number of places available, admission is not guaranteed. Selection will be based on final NSC results. Generally students who achieve at least 70% in Mathematics, Physical Science and English stand a greater chance of being accepted. | |
|
40+ | ||
|
42+ | ||
|
36+ | ||
|
36+ | ||
|
40+ | ||
|
40+ | ||
|
42+ | ||
|
40+ | ||
| Bachelor of Engineering Science in the field of Digital Arts (3 years) |
42+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 Physical Science – 5 |
Applicants will be required to complete additional selection criteria, e.g. workshop, interview. |
| Bachelor of Engineering Science in Biomedical Engineering BEngSc (BME) (3 years) |
42+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 Physical Science – 5 |
|
| Bachelor of Architectural StudiesBAS (3 years) |
34+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 4 Mathematics – 4 |
Acceptance is dependent on departmental selection procedures. Applicants are required to complete a written and graphic exercise and may be required to attend an interview. Applicants with a Wits APS of 34 and above may be accepted on this basis. Applicants with a Wits APS of between 29 and 33 may only be considered on the basis of exceptional exercise scores. The selection process for the BAS is conducted by a panel of senior academics from the School of Architecture and Planning, monitored by the Assistant Dean. Selection is based predominantly on performance against the selection exercise, interview and academic performance, although demographic balance is taken into consideration where a choice needs to be made between applicants scoring within the same range. |
| Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies BSc (CS) (3 years) Bachelor of Science in Property Studies BSc (PS) (4 years) |
36+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 |
Provided that Mathematics and English pass at NSC Scale of Achievement Level 5. |
| Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning BSc (URP) (3 years) |
36+ | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 |
Provided that Mathematics and English pass at NSC Scale of Achievement Level 5. |
Application Process
Your application
- You may apply for three programmes (degrees).
- Applications to Wits must enclose a non-refundable application fee of R100 (for international applicants, R700).
Documentation / Checklist
- Submit your Grade 11 report which must be signed and stamped by your school principal.
- If you have already matriculated, attach a copy of your matric certificate.
Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
Apply now
Closing Dates
30 June 2018
Faculty of Health Sciences (All programmes)
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Audiology
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology
30 September 2018
All other University programmes
Residence applications
Online applications
- Complete an online application to study at Wits
Course Costs
The average course costs for local students range from R34 000 to R62 000, depending on the course and the number of years of study.
Tuition fees are payable for each course for which a student is registered.
School of Architecture and Planning
The School of Architecture and Planning’s core activity is the provision of an excellent learning environment towards accredited professional degrees in
- architecture
- planning
- postgraduate qualification in related fields, namely Urban Design, Sustainable Energy Efficient Cities, Housing and Human Settlements, Urban Politics and Governance, Urban Management, and Urban Research.
The School also supports research degrees at masters and PhD level. Two research entities are located with the School:
- Centre for Urbanism and Built Environment Studies (CUBES)
- NRF SARChI Chair programme in Spatial Analysis and City Planning.
Through its teaching, research, creative work, community engagement and public debate, the School of Architecture & Planning has a large and positive influence on our society. For over 80 years, it has responded to the changing cities, communities and built environment in South Africa and to the rapidly globalizing, and urbanised world.
Young students who are serious about a career in architecture and planning will do well to study with us. Those seeking to build on their existing degrees and careers will find opportunities for specialization as well as research enquiry within our degree offering.
Our location in the heart of metropolitan Johannesburg gives our students and researchers an ‘urban laboratory’ for
- exploration and analysis
- problem solving and innovation
- creative engagement and design
- reflection and theorizing and
- critical engagement and debate.
Many of our graduates have progressed to become esteemed professionals while others are leading academics at universities across the globe.
Architects and planners as well as people with the interdisciplinary specialisations we offer are essential in our 21st century world as we work hard to develop living and working environments
- in which all are included,
- of which all people can be proud,
- in which they can move around with ease, and
- from which they can access the opportunities cities have to offer.
The Architecture degrees (BAS, BAS (Hon) and MArch (Prof)) are together validated by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), and through SACAP they are validated by the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA). The Planning Degrees (BSc (URP) and MSc (DP)) are each accredited by the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN). The School is currently exploring accreditation with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the only agency that currently undertakes some form of international accreditation.
Through the School of Architecture and Planning (as well as the Global Change Institute – GCI), Wits University is networked with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA).
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