University of the Witwatersrand campus

Engineering

BAS Honours Architectural Studies at University of the Witwatersrand

University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Honours is the first year of a two-year postgraduate suite, culminating with the Master of Architecture (Professional). It aims to relook at how we share changing spaces as architects and urban designers in the contemporary African city and beyond. BAS (Hons) is the first year of a two-year postgraduate programme, followed by the MArch, which is the professional degree leading to candidate status as a Professional Architect. It is an integrated suite of six courses run over two semesters, developing a portfolio of speculative spatial propositions and critical arguments in context, that relate research-based design, history/theory, technical skills a

Faculty: Engineering and the Built Environment  |  Department: Architecture and Planning  |  Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

What you will study

The curriculum is centred around two core design studios, each one linked to another course within the same semester. The first semester studio is linked to a Research Project course, and second semester is linked to a construction course. Students seeking to study part-time while working are strongly recommended to organize a study plan with their employers, when applicable, setting out realistic

Career pathways

The Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Honours, BAS (Hons), is an honours level exit degree and a prerequisite for admission to the MArch (Professional) degree.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

1. Qualifying Degree: Candidates must hold: a Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree; or an Advanced Diploma in Architectural Technology; or an equivalent degree in the discipline of architecture at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 7, as recognized and documented by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 2. Year Out: All candidates must have acquired some form of practical experience in architecture or a related discipline, ideally accumulated at least 6 months of full-time equivalent, or be able to demonstrate that they will complete their 6th month prior to enrolment in the degree programme. 3. Documentation: Candidates must submit with their application: transcripts from all degrees attended (whether completed or not) at NQF exit level 7 or higher; and a portfolio of visual/ design work undertaken during undergraduate studies (with an emphasis on the final y

ZAR 84,570 for the whole programme (2026). Average tuition fee per programme for 2026 as stated in the 2026 Fees Book, Chapter 2 (Average Tuition Fees); excludes additional charges (notes, computer, lab and other fees). Postgraduate international students pay local tuition plus the non-refundable Source

Postgraduate applications are made online at www.wits.ac.za/applications; the closing date for each programme is listed in its course finder entry. The application fee is R200 (not payable by current Wits students applying online), paid via the Self-Service Portal or by EFT to the Wits University Application Fees account at FNB.

Apply through the official page: https://www.wits.ac.za/applications

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