Pathways in Architecture & Urbanism

Pathways in Architecture & Urban Design

The Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Honours (BAS (Hons)) programme is a gateway to a potentially diverse field of professional career paths, both within the architectural discipline or peripheral to it. From the onset, students are immersed in comprehensive lectures and design laboratories that are grounded in critical thinking and investigation of building component assembly processes: deign, culture, construction, structures, technology, sustainable environment concepts, history, and theory. The students are taught collaboratively by staff and practitioners who bring the latest trends in building design, construction, and technology to the studio in a pedagogical process that combines theory and practice.

The word Architect is a legal term. Only those who have gained professional registration within a specific category may legitimately call themselves Architects. This process is governed by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), which is an independent body operating with a mandate from the Ministry of Public Works of the South African government. Other countries have similar bodies, but may have slightly different criteria.

SACAP SACAP offers registration as candidates (those who have completed the academic criteria but not the experience criteria and/or exams) and as professionals in categories of Architectural Technologist, Senior Architectural Technologist, and Architect. The category of Professional Architect (PrArch) is the most rigorous and generally holds the highest professional esteem, but the other categories also have specific and important roles to play in the profession. Those wishing to eventually become a registered Professional Architect will need to satisfactorily complete the BAS degree, and then set their sites on moving towards the two postgraduate degrees in architecture, the Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Honours [BAS (Hons)] and the Master of Architecture [M.Arch] degrees.

The BAS Honours Degree To become eligible for the BAS (Hons) degree, students from the BAS will need to work in the profession for at least one year, in addition to meeting all the academic criteria for admission. Strong performance in the BAS degree at Wits plus a year of work experience may automatically qualify students for the BAS (Hons) degree at Wits based on the BAS (Hons) admission criteria.

Masters Degrees Wits offers two types of Master of Architecture degrees. The M.Arch (Prof) is a nationally and internationally professionally accredited degree which gains eligibility as a Candidate Architect with SACAP and, upon completion of experience requirements and professional exams, as a Professional Architect.

Another M.Arch degree, the Master of Architecture by Research, is offered for those seeking to pursue research and receive a higher qualification, but not specifically interested in professional registration with SACAP. The M.Arch (Research) degree offers a high degree of flexibility for students to propose their own topic of study. Wits also offers Masters degrees outside the direct realm of architecture, which can be pursued following the BAS (Hons) qualification. These include the Master of Urban Design

BAS

Bachelor of Architectural Studies The BAS is a 3-year, full-time course of study covering a broad base of creative, practical and professional thinking. Graduates qualify with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) as a Candidate Architectural Technologist. BAS graduates need to gain at least one year of professional experience within the discipline in order to qualify for admission to the BAS (Hons) degree.

work experience may allow eligibility for

BAS (Hons)

Bachelor of Architectural Studies w/ Honours 1-year, leading to qualification as a Candidate Sr. Architectural Technologist & eligibility for a suite of Masters-level degrees.

options beyond the Pr.Arch path

BAS (Hons) in high standing opens eligibility for

M.Arch (Prof)

Master of Architecture (Professional) 1-year, professionally accredited degree leading to qualification as a Candidate Architect with SACAP.

nonprofessional options

M.UD

Master of Urban Design 2-year, part time programme leading to eligibility for registration with UDISA.

M.Arch (Research)

Master of Architecture (by Research) 1-year, non-professional research degree on a proposed topic of study.

M.US

Master of Urban Studies 1-year or 2-year part time degree with interdisciplinary specialties. BAS allows eligibility as

non-registration option SACAP C.Arch.T. Candidate Architectural Technologist

Minimum 1 year professional experience Completion of a year of work experience in the discipline leads to eligibility to apply for the BAS (Hons) degree or registration as a Pr.Arch.T

registration option without further study

SACAP Pr.Arch.T Professional Architectural Techologist

M.Arch (Prof) allows eligibility

dual candidacy

UDISA C.UD Candidate Urban Designer SACAP C.Arch Candidate Architect

Minimum 2 years integrated work experience An M.Arch (Prof) degree, combined with completion of the required professional experience allows eligibility for the Professional Architect exams.

dual registration SACAP Pr.Arch Professional Architect

UDISA Pr.UD Professional Urban Designer