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CQUni Handbook
CU65 - Bachelor of Building Design
Overview
Course Overview
This course produces graduates capable of designing, documenting and providing contract administration for residential and commercial buildings.
Career Information
Building designers provide design solutions for residential and commercial buildings and work for design, architecture, planning, building or engineering firms, government departments, and corporations with a large building portfolio.
Course Details
| Duration | 5 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | BBldgDes |
| AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
|
Admission Codes
|
Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
|
|---|---|
|
International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.
Domestic Availability
Term 2 - 2026
Online
Term 1 - 2026
Online
Term 2 - 2025
Online
Term 1 - 2025
Online
Term 2 - 2024
Online
Term 1 - 2024
Online
Term 2 - 2023
Online
Term 1 - 2023
Online
Term 2 - 2022
Online
Term 1 - 2022
Online
Term 2 - 2021
Online
Term 1 - 2021
Online
Term 2 - 2020
Online
Term 1 - 2020
Online
Term 2 - 2019
Online
Term 1 - 2019
Online
Term 2 - 2018
Distance
Term 1 - 2018
Distance
Term 2 - 2017
Distance
Term 1 - 2017
Distance
Term 2 - 2016
Distance
Term 1 - 2016
Distance
Term 2 - 2015
Distance
Term 1 - 2015
Distance
Term 2 - 2014
Distance
Term 1 - 2014
Distance
Show All
International Availability
Term 2 - 2026
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2026
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2025
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2025
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2024
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2024
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2023
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2023
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2022
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2022
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2021
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2021
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2020
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2020
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2019
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2019
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2018
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2018
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2017
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2017
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2016
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2016
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2015
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2015
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2014
Distance
Term 1 - 2014
Distance
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact
13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at
http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
| Rank Threshold | SR 66 | ATAR 66 |
Academic Requirements
English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
- A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
- An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
- Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0
completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
- An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
If you are an International student, visit our International students webpage for further information.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Assumed Knowledge
Domestic students - Assumed Knowledge - English, General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods.
Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Fees and Charges
Course Features
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | CC01 - Associate Degree of Building Design |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | CL57 - Diploma of Building Studies CC01 - Associate Degree of Building Design |
| Accreditation |
|
Residential School Requirements
No Residential School for this course.
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 75 |
| 2023 | 84 |
| 2022 | 90 |
| 2021 | 89 |
| 2020 | 85 |
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
- Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
- Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice, as expected by a respected member of the profession.
Examples are:
- Demonstrating effective communication skills in a range of emerging environments, including the online domain.
- Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
- Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group or workplace.
- Establishing rapport with clients in the delivery of projects and responding appropriately to clients, supervisors and other professionals.
- Understanding and communicating with various relevant mediums (plans and sketches for example) with both the public and other professionals.
- Holding presentations to a range of stakeholders, including academics, industry professionals and fellow students.
- Using appropriate facial expressions: eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries, a range of body movements and gestures.
- Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and responding appropriately during activities related to the course, as well as during practical placements.
- Extending communications skills to a range of emerging environments, including the online domain.
- Competently and appropriately constructing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.
- Expressing complex and detailed information and knowledge into a logical and legible report, in a timely manner that meets professional standards and clearly communicates the intended message.
- Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form that meets legal and professional requirements.
- Accessing a computer for your studies, and having basic computer knowledge and skills to engage in the on-line learning environment that may include completing relevant on-line assessments and participating in on-line forums or responding to emails.
- Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
- Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
- Applying theoretical knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures related to professional practice.
- Competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in projects and services.
- Producing accurate, concise and clear documentation which meets legal requirements.
- Demonstrating competency in applying appropriate mathematical knowledge and skills to make precise calculations.
- Demonstrating effective use of numeracy skills to make accurate interpretation of data.
- Applying numeracy skills to interpret and solve problems in a wide range of projects.
Examples are:
- Accurately using instruments for measurements.
- Having sufficient auditory ability to be capable of hearing warnings when on site.
- Interacting effectively with stakeholders including clients, members of the community, tradespeople and other members of the engineering team.
- Using a computer and other tools.
- Being able to climb a ladder or steep stairs, walk along scaffolding and traverse a construction site.
- Ability to listen effectively, process and apply verbal information (eg interactive client briefings)
Examples are:
- Reflecting past experience or learned lessons of past projects to issues, cases and situations of current construction projects and modifying the practice during the project.
- Reflecting on one's own behaviours, including but not limited to time management and communication, and modifying these behaviours to improve related outcomes.
Examples are:
- Demonstrating sufficient computer knowledge and skills to engage in the on-line learning environment that may include completing relevant on-line assessments (e.g.quizzes).
- Participating in Zoom on-line sessions, responding to emails and using MS Teams to answer assessment tasks.
Core Learning Outcomes
- 1. Apply a sound understanding of the coherent body of knowledge and the underlying principles and concepts, fundamental to and in the context of building design and related disciplines.
- 2. Analyse and synthesize knowledge, and apply technical and creative thinking skills to solve problems within the context of building design and related practice and/or scholarship.
- 3. Justify and communicate building design principles, ideas and advice in collaborative contexts with professionals, paraprofessionals and the general community
- 4. Exercise professional judgement when identifying and responding to cultural, ethical and social issues.
- 5. Evaluate information and synthesise relevant issues in building design and other contexts as a basis for independent lifelong learning.
- 6. Learn and work independently and collaboratively in practice and reflect upon feedback to identify and enact self improvements.
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||
| KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner | ||||||
Course Structure
In order to complete this course, you must:
- Complete the core structure
Core Structure
| Number of units: 24 | Total credit points: 144 |
|---|
Students study the course by distance education. Progression is based on an assumed maximum loading of 12 units of credit. Students should note prerequisite requirements and unit availability when formulating and nominating their study load for the year. Units are offered annually. It is suggested that units be studied as shown in the recommended course study schedule. The loading may be varied to balance work and family commitments. If assistance is required, contact the Course Advisor. Students should actively seek employment in the building industry.
Prospective students should note that exemptions from units within the course may be given where their previous study at AQF certificate IV level or higher and relevant industry licensing fully meets the learning outcomes of a unit. Students should not enrol into a unit where they are seeking an exemption.
Note: Refer to the unit Handbook's More Details tab for the link to the recommended course study schedule.
Exit or interim awards
After completing levels 1 and 2 within the course, students may exit with CL57- Diploma of Building Studies or CC01- Associate Degree of Building Design or, apply for an interim award of the CC01. Formal application must be made to the Course Advisor to initiate the process.
Level 1 - 8 compulsory units
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| BLAR11056 | Introduction to Hand and Digital Drawing | |
| BLAR11033 | Building Materials 1 | |
| BLAR11039 | Building Law & Regulations | |
| BLAR11043 | Building Systems and Services 1 | |
| BLAR11045 | Built Environment 1 | |
| BLAR11049 | Built Environment Communication and Skills | |
| BLAR11050 | Residential Construction | |
| BLAR11051 | Construction Legislation 1 | |
Level 2 - 8 compulsory units
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| BLAR12036 | Building Design 1 | |
| BLAR12041 | Building Materials 2 | |
| BLAR12050 | Contract Documentation | |
| BLAR12052 | Geotechnical Studies | |
| BLAR12053 | Professional Practice | |
| BLAR12054 | Structural Design Processes | |
| BLAR12055 | History and Theory of Building Design | |
| BLAR12057 | Commercial Construction | |
Level 3 - 8 compulsory units
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| BLAR13035 | Building Contract Administration | |
| BLAR13037 | Building Design 2 | |
| BLAR13044 | Building Systems and Services 2 | |
| BLAR13046 | Built Environment 2 | |
| BLAR13051 | Design Documentation | |
| BLAR13052 | Spatial Design Theory and Application | |
| BLAR13053 | Urban Design and Development | |
| BLAR13054 | Complex Construction | |
More Details
Articulation and Credit Transfer
To be eligible for a credit transfer, students must have completed
relevant study at Certificate IV level or above within the past 10 years.
Please refer to the Credit Transfer/RPL website for further
information. Students can apply for direct credit against CQUniversity units,
if equivalent tertiary level study has been completed. Students must supply
relevant documentation (study guides, unit profiles, etc) to do this. If your
study was undertaken more than 10 years ago, you may not be eligible to apply
for this as credit.
Computing Requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have
access to the CQUniversity website. It is strongly recommended that students
have access to a broadband connection or higher to access online student
resources that would include but not limited to, email, internet, video
streaming, electronic assessment submission.
Degree with distinction
Students, who achieve an overall GPA of 6.0 and above at the completion
of the course, based on their first attempt of the units, will be awarded a
degree with distinction.
Study Schedule
To assist with unit selection, refer to the recommended course study
schedule found here.