What is architecture and the built environment

What is architecture?

Architecture is the design of buildings and spaces which are functional, beautiful, sustainable, and meaningful.

As an architecture student, you are constantly developing ideas, drawing inspiration from architecture around the world, and putting your creativity into practice through sketches, drawings, models, 3D renderings and more.

What is the built environment?

The built environment is the dynamic infrastructure that supports our growing population.

From developing buildings to planning cities and managing construction projects, you’ll always have your eyes on the future as a student in this field. You’ll use next generation technology to construct future-focused spaces and cityscapes that are responsive to our rapidly changing world and society.

What are my career options?

Explore your career options in architecture and built environment at QUT.

Architect

Combine art with engineering to plan, design and oversee the construction of buildings that are functional, beautiful and meaningful.

Interior designer

Design indoor spaces that are functional, safe and enjoyable.

Landscape architect

Transform outdoor spaces into functional natural environments such as parks, gardens, playgrounds and residential buildings.

Construction manager

Manage construction projects of all scales. Oversee staff, operations, materials and sustainable practice on a construction site.

Quantity surveying and cost engineering

Manage all contractual and financial aspects of a construction project from concept design to completion.

Urban and regional planning

Balance environmental and developmental needs across building design, climate change, and policy to create thriving cities and communities.

New vertical degree

Accelerate your career with a Bachelor of Built Environment/Master of Project Management by completing a bachelor degree and master degree in five years. You will gain a combination of skills and expertise that's in high demand by employers globally, positioning yourself to lead large and complex projects in diverse work settings.

Tailor this vertical double degree option with any of our built environment undergraduate majors:

  • construction management and quantity surveying
  • landscape architecture
  • urban and regional planning
  • interior design.
Bachelor of Built Environment/Master of Project Management

Architecture pathway options

To help you achieve your goal of becoming an architect, QUT has pathway options to designed to build your foundational skills and knowledge before progressing into the Bachelor of Architectural Design.

Diploma in Architectural Studies

Our new diploma allows you to gain foundational architectural skills and guarantees entry into the second year of the Bachelor of Architectural Design, or Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours) (Interior Design) or (Landscape Architecture) degrees.

Diploma in Architectural Studies

Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)

Gain exposure to related fields and work with students in the different majors on projects, mirroring a real-world workplace. Interior design and landscape architecture students share common first-year units with the Bachelor of Architectural Design.

Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)

Our amazing students and graduates

Our students go on to become award winning designers, architects and builders who are consistently recognised for creating amazing designs and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible across the building, planning and architecture industries.

Queensland's 40 under 40 winner

QUT alumnus Nicole Detsimas, co-founder of Belnic Constructions, received the prestigious Queensland 40 Under 40 Awards. Belnic Constructions is one of the few commercial construction companies in Australia with two female founders. The company turned over $8 million in projects last year.
‘I'm grateful for QUT’s construction management course which was directly relevant to our work in industry. Many of my lecturers had practical, real-world experience in successful construction companies.'

Nicole Detsimas, Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours) (Construction Management and Quantity Surveying)
Belnic Constructions

Learn on the job

'QUT provides me with the theoretical knowledge of construction methods, systems and solutions that support what I have experienced onsite in industry. During my studies I have worked on numerous Department of Education school buildings for the Hutchinson Builders Yatala Modular Yard. I am currently onsite for a luxury residential high-rise project on the Gold Coast, which has given me experience in traditional construction methods.'

Dean Tyler-Battaglia
Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours) (Construction Management and Quantity Surveying)

Pursue your passion

'I was working with three recent QUT graduates at Constructions Group and I was envious of their knowledge and abilities and wanted to learn what they knew. I was still in treatment for breast cancer and at 55 years old I felt I was beyond studying. There is so much support and opportunity at QUT. It is exciting to meet with professionals and young people in a supportive and collaborative environment. It is something wondrous to find a passion for something so late in life and I count myself extraordinarily lucky to be given the opportunity.'

Cassandra Cusack-Muller
Bachelor of Built Environment (Construction Management and Quantity Surveying)

Urban planning award winner

'AT QUT, you aren't limited in your designs. The academics allow you to explore and experiment within assignments. They want to see your creativity and uniqueness shine through in your projects. As an Aboriginal student, I accessed the Arcadia Landscape Architecture Indigenous Scholarship, which enabled me to secure a part-time job in industry and gain invaluable experience for my career.’

Jada Gilbert, Winner of the 2023 Queensland Minister’s Indigenous Student in Planning Award
Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours) (Landscape Architecture) (Urban and Regional Planning)

Design graduate of the year

'I not only want to make a difference in the world, but I especially want to change the impact that design of the built environment has on the most vulnerable. My design studies at QUT taught me that risk is worth taking if you have done your research and analysis correctly – and that is also the exciting place where innovation and new frontiers are found.'

Kirsteen James, Designer at Gensler
Australia’s Design Graduate of the Year 2022, Design Institute of Australia

Read more about Kirsteen

Be a future city shaper

When you study at QUT, you’ll have opportunities to develop your skills in all areas of building and design and showcase your work to industry.

Showcase your work

As part of your studies, you'll have opportunities to showcase your work to industry at our exhibition events, which are pivotal opportunities to present your hard work and solidify next steps in your career.

On-campus studios

Throughout your studies, you’ll undertake projects and hone your skills in our advanced design studios and fabrication workshops, where you’ll be guided and supported by our expert technical team. You’ll also work with students from other disciplines to address real-world challenges, just as you would in a real architectural practice.

Readying Brisbane for the Olympics

Our building, planning and urban development students have been working in consultation with Brisbane City Council to generate exciting ideas for the new inner-city framework in advance for the 2032 Olympics.

Career opportunities

As a construction student, you’ll get an inside look at what it’s really like to work in the industry with regular networking events and seminars with our key industry partners.

Why choose QUT?

We are ranked in the top 100 universities in the world for architecture & built environment (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).

Study construction management and you’ll graduate with a highly-regarded honours degree provisionally accredited by the Australian Institute of Building and the Australian Insitute of Quantity Surveyors.

Our architecture degree has the highest demand in Queensland (QTAC first preferences, 2024).

We have the highest number of Indigenous Australian enrolments in architecture and built environment out of all Australian universities (Enrolment data, Australian Government Department of Education, 2024).

As part of a diverse faculty encompassing architecture, built environment and engineering, you will have opportunities to address real-world challenges as part of a multidisciplinary team, which will set you up well for your future career.

Study construction management and you’ll graduate with a highly-regarded honours degree provisionally accredited by the Australian Institute of Building and the Australian Insitute of Quantity Surveyors.

Find your crew

QUT Construct

Hear student Dean Tyler explain why QUT Construct is an exciting and rewarding club to get involved in. Get connected with recruiters, go on site visits, line yourself up for a cadetship and connect with building and construction alumni at QUT Construct’s industry networking events.

QUT Architecture Society

‘The QUT Architecture Society has provided me with so many opportunities to work with passionate and supportive people. I've built friendships, been a part of inclusive teamwork, and most importantly, I’ve made wide connections within the architectural industry that will no doubt help me in my future career.’

Joy Merit
Bachelor of Architectural Design

QUT Planning Student Association

Get involved with the QUT Planning Student Association to kickstart your friendships and make connections with leaders in the urban planning industry. Hear student Regina Mendoza explain how the club helped her form connections with industry and take on leadership roles in her studies.

Build your portfolio

While you study at QUT, you'll have opportunities to develop your skills in all areas of design and learn from our award-winning teachers.

Our annual Design Festival is an amazing opportunity for you to get your work seen by industry, build your professional contacts and solidify your next steps towards a design career.

Explore our student design portfolios

Study with us

Study architecture and the built environment, and help build a future that's sustainable, healthy and technology-driven.

Learn from the best, develop your skills in real industry settings and build strong connections for your future career.

Explore our architecture and built environment courses

Learn from passionate teachers

As a lecturer in urban and regional planning at Mellini Sloan is passionate about teaching students how to build more diverse and sustainable communities to address big challenges. “We’re building our future Australia together,” says Mellini. “We’re collaboratively working to create environmentally and economically sound communities in locations where people want to live.”

Readying Brisbane for the Olympics

Our building, planning and urban development students have been working in consultation with Brisbane City Council to generate exciting ideas for the new inner-city framework in advance for the 2032 Olympics.

Design projects with a sustainable approach

Architecture and engineering student Lily Kenway says one of her favourite projects at QUT has been designing a multi-purpose residency for a cyclic ’15-minute city’ that’s now being developed.

“It made us reassess the way we envision city planning in order to become more efficient and sustainable. We even visited the township and met with the developer’s consultants before beginning the design process.”

Career opportunities

As a construction student, you’ll get an inside look at what it’s really like to work in the industry with regular networking events and seminars with our key industry partners.

Study in the city

"Studying in the heart of the city with access to technologically advanced systems, cutting-edge design and world-class teaching staff has been so inspiring."

Alix Veitch, Bachelor of Design (Landscape Architecture)/Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Urban and Regional Planning)

Engage in student clubs

“During my studies, I joined QUT Construct, a student club aimed at helping students gain real-world exposure on construction sites and networking opportunities. By the time I graduated, I had built solid relationships with builders across South East Queensland.”

Todd Lane, Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Construction Management)

Browse all clubs

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Find a degree

Learn from the best, develop your skills in real industry settings and build strong connections for your future career.

Architecture and built environment courses