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Curtin University
Humanities

Portfolio Requirements

Architecture

If you are unsure or confused about this process, please contact Humanities Future Students on (08) 9266 9200 or email hum-futurestudents@curtin.edu.au for more information.

New Applicants

School Leavers

The ATAR (TER) cut-off for Architecture in 2011 was 80, which is the equivalent of an average of 57% in your top 4 subjects.

Mature Age

People aged over 20 who were not eligible for entry directly into Curtin upon completion of high school (ie. failed English, did not sit TEE, did not achieve a high enough TER, did not complete Year 12) will have to pass a STAT test to gain entry, as well as sitting an interview and portfolio session (details are listed below).
The STAT test is run by TISC, and all information is available at www.tisc.edu.au. All Mature Age applicants are required to attend an interview and present a portfolio.

Alternative Entry Pathways into Curtin

A publication outlining all of the alternative pathways into Curtin is available upon request by calling (08) 9266 9200 or emailing hum-futurestudents@curtin.edu.au.

Curtin Course Switchers

Applications must be submitted directly to the Humanities Faculty Student Services Office by Friday 2 December 2011.

Please contact Humanities Student Services on (08) 9266 3400 for further information.
Download an application form at: futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/Curtin_App_for_Admission_Form.pdf

International Applications

Any individual who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a Permanent Humanitarian Visa holder, or Permanent Resident of Australia.
Applications need to be lodged through the Curtin International Office by Friday 13 January 2012. Visit international.curtin.edu.au for application instructions.

TAFE Students

Students who have completed the Diploma of Building Design and Technology at Central Institute of Technology can apply for entry into Curtin's Architecture program through TISC (see instructions above). They will also need to sit an interview and provide a portfolio.

Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Building Design and Technology are given the equivalent of a TER score of 84. However the two students who score the highest during the interview and portfolio session will have their TER score boosted to 99, which guarantees entry should the entry ATAR level into Architecture be higher than 84.

Recognition of Prior Learning will be ascertained on an individual basis, based on the student's TAFE Portfolio. Please note that all work must be certified by the student's TAFE coordinator.

Interview and Portfolio Requirements

Please note the onus is on the student to write to the Department and request an interview. The deadline to request an interview is Friday 6 January 2012. Interviews will take place between January 9-11. The Department will contact you with the details of your interview once it has been scheduled.

Address letters to:

Student and Academic Support Officer
School of Built Environment
Building 201, Room 317
Curtin University
GPO Box U1987
PERTH WA 6845
Phone (08) 9266 2282

Mature age applicants and those switching courses are required to sit an interview at which you will show a photographic essay portfolio and, if available, a portfolio of other works you have done, including originals or photographs of painted and/or drawn artworks, perspective drawings or other architectural drawings. Please note that only the photographic essay portfolio submission is compulsory, however if you have done any other relevant work, we would like to see that also.

Photographic essay portfolio

1. Select two buildings that you believe are aesthetically noteworthy in some way or ways (for example the use of shape, material, colour, light, relationship to its surroundings or any combination of those elements).
2. Photographically record each building at three scales: distant, middle and close-up (detail) view.
3. Take two photographs at each scale for each building, being six images per building and a total of 12 images in all.
4. Your final presentation must be in A4 format. The format should be consistent (in other words all sheets should be either landscape or portrait format but not a combination of the two). You may either print the photographs directly onto the final pages or glue pre-printed photographs onto the final pages.
5. Each building should be presented on three pages, with two photographs per page. Identify the building on the first sheet of images with some accompanying text describing the particular qualities of the building. You may find that the building is a successful building or a failure. Any considered comments you might have are of interest to us. Your text must exceed no more than 200 words for each building.
6. We recommend that you take many photographs and then select the 12 most successful images from them
7. Consider composition, material, colour, light and texture when composing your shots.
8. The submission should consist of six A4 pages (three pages per building).
9. The portfolio must be bound along one margin and must have a cover sheet identifying yourself

Interview

Although we do not expect you to have a detailed understanding of architecture, we will be most interested in those who show a genuine interest in architecture and who have made a genuine attempt to understand what architecture is and what architects do.
To do this, you will need to read as many books on architecture and architects as you can, and to be able to discuss some of the concepts you have learned. Again, we will not expect you to engage in a high-level discussion on architectural theory, but to demonstrate that you have a passion for architecture and a desire to commit yourself to it. Reading books and, if possible, speaking to architects is the best way to gain the information you may require.
The interview will last for approximately 15 minutes, during which you will present and discuss your photographic essay portfolio and any other works you have to show us. Here you have an opportunity to tell us how much you wish to commit yourself to architecture and how much you want to gain from the course at Curtin University. The competition for entry is strong, so be prepared to put up a good argument for admission.

Notification

Australian residents, who have applied through TISC, if successful, will receive either a first-round offer on Wednesday 18 January 2012, or possibly receive a second-round offer after Thursday 2 February 2012.

Course switchers and international applicants will be informed of their success via a letter from Curtin.

Enrolment

For information regarding enrolment, students can contact Humanities Student Services on (08) 9266 3400 or email humanities@curtin.edu.au.

Thank you for applying and good luck!