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Explore building construction and performance, project management, and how building materials function. Learn about key issues in the industry—sustainability, construction law, managing facilities, and the relationship between buildings and their environment.

You can study part time while working or full time through block teaching. Block teaching involves delivering courses in concentrated blocks of time, for three days every four weeks. This approach allows you to balance work with study. In the final course, you’ll gain professional work experience in an area of architectural science.

Programmes

Everyone should be entitled to have access to good buildings

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I liked the idea of Architecture, but the logic and science of the Architectural Science programme drew me to the Postgraduate Diploma, and then onto the Master of Architectural Science.

Georgia Alexander

Graduate, Master of Architectural Science

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Pick the qualification that matches your goals

Choose from a selection of qualifications to suit your career goals and availability.

The 180-point Master of Architectural Science (MArchSc) is a one-year professional programme that combines an architectural science research-methods course and an industry-related project or practicum for real-world experience in the field. It is professionally recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB).

The 120-point Master of Architectural Science (Research) (MArchSc(Res)) thesis programme focuses on self-directed research. Before enrolling in this one-year research thesis, you need to have completed the 120-point Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Science.

A shorter 60-point Postgraduate Certificate or 120-point Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Science are also available as earlier exit points or for those already in industry who want to deepen their knowledge with part-time study.

Get the postgraduate Architecture and Design Innovation handbook

Find out more about your study options. Fill in a form to download our Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation handbook.

Download the handbook

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The knowledge I gained from studying at the Wellington School of Architecture has helped me immensely. It’s given me the theoretical background of building science which I now use every day in my current role.

Jackson Prattley-Jones

Graduate, Postgraduate Certificate in Architectural Science (Sustainable Engineering Systems)

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Transform the world we live in

Gain an insight into the interplay between people, buildings, and culture. You’ll consider many perspectives, including the important role of tikanga and mātauranga Māori in architectural design and decision-making.

You’ll also get a practical grounding in how buildings impact on the natural world through their design, construction, operation, and maintenance, with the option to specialise in Project Management or Sustainable Engineering Systems.

MArchSc Master of Architectural Science

  • Duration 3 trimesters
  • Intensity Full time or part time
  • Fees
  • Schedule Online courses and in-person block classes
  • Starts 23 Feb 2026 (+ -2 more)
  • Type Lectures, coursework and practicum or project
  • Location Wellington campuses
  • Complete 180 points (8-9 courses)
  • Entry A Bachelor of Building Science or Bachelor of Architectural Studies or equivalent, with at least a B average. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Courses and requirements

MArchSc(Res) Master of Architectural Science (Research)

  • Duration 3 trimesters
  • Intensity Full time or part time
  • Fees
  • Schedule Self-directed research
  • Starts 23 Feb 2026 (+ -2 more)
  • Type Research
  • Location Wellington campuses
  • Complete 120 points (1 course)
  • Entry A Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Science, or equivalent, with at least a B average. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Courses and requirements

PGDipArchSc Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Science

  • Duration 2 trimesters
  • Intensity Full time or part time
  • Fees
  • Schedule Lectures
  • Starts 23 Feb 2026 (+ -2 more)
  • Type Lectures and coursework
  • Location Wellington campuses
  • Complete 120 points (6-8 courses)
  • Entry A Bachelor of Building Science or Bachelor of Architectural Studies or equivalent, with at least a B average. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Courses and requirements

PGCertArchSc Postgraduate Certificate in Architectural Science

  • Duration 1 trimester
  • Intensity Full time or part time
  • Fees
  • Schedule Lectures
  • Starts 23 Feb 2026 (+ -2 more)
  • Type Lectures and coursework
  • Location Wellington campuses
  • Complete 60 points (3-4 courses)
  • Entry A Bachelor of Building Science or Bachelor of Architectural Studies or equivalent, with at least a B average. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Courses and requirements

Community

Postgraduate study will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff, and future colleagues. Make the most of opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions.

Postgraduate students in the Wellington School of Architecture play a vital role in developing high-quality research outputs. Research findings are often presented at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Many of our postgraduate alumni have become industry leaders in their chosen field. You’ll also benefit from the expertise of working professionals through the Faculty’s connections with local industry.

Architecture research

Careers

A postgraduate qualification in Architectural Science can open doors to a career in the design and development of our built environment. You might start your own practice, or work as an employee in a firm or government organisation.

You could work as a construction project manager, a consultant, a sustainable systems engineer, or a construction lawyer. Other jobs might include a lighting adviser or designer, building consent adviser, fire design and regulations analyst, acoustic engineer, or quantity surveyor.

You can also choose to focus on researching the history, theory, and contemporary practice of architectural science and open up a career in academia or in a research organisation.

Scholarships

The Wellington School of Architecture has a number of prizes and scholarships available each year.

You can also look for other scholarships based on your level of study, subject area, and background.

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