Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honours

Architects design, plan and decorate buildings, with a view to utility, durability, convenience and aesthetic appeal. They use their knowledge of construction materials and methods, and architectural techniques, to design and oversee the construction of safe, functional and attractive buildings.

Applicants must have graduated with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) Degree and have attaned a minimum grade of 60% for Design. Students who complete the BAS degree at Nelson Mandela University are assessed and graded for the design mark as a matter of course during the portfolio review process at the end of the BAS degree year.

Applicants from other institutions must have attained the equivalent undergraduate degree as the BAS and attained the 60% minimum requirements for the subject: Design.

An application should then be submitted to the University on the prescribed NMMU form, by the date stipulated. In addition, all such applicants must prepare a portfolio of their work for submission to the Department of Architecture.

This portfolio will be assessed during the department’s BAS portfolio exam at the end of each year by the panel of examiners present at the review. Selection is then at the discretion of the Department of Architecture Admissions Committee on the basis of grade requirements having been fulfilled, the recommendations from examiners who assess the portfolio and depending on the number of places available.

The process for applicants who have achieved recognition of prior learning acknowledged by SACAP to be commensurate with NQF Level 7 and having attained relevant expertise in the stated subject area, design, is the same as applicants from other institutions, discussed above, with a portfolio required to be submitted for evaluation.