Overview
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely.
This course will be available for students to study remotely during 2022 if they are unable to undertake face-to-face study. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
Explore the growing field of lighting for architectural and urban environments and learn how sustainable lighting technologies are changing illumination design practice.
Career pathways include employment in lighting design consultancies, architectural practices, lighting manufacturers and distribution. With extensive experience analysing and controlling the physical phenomena affecting buildings, practitioners of Architectural Science have a profound impact on the function, aesthetics and efficiency of architectural spaces.
Our entire visual experience depends on light. It has a profound impact on the function and aesthetics of architectural spaces, and is a vital part of architecture and interior design. In this innovative course, we focus on the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to remain current with technological breakthroughs and to drive innovation in illumination design in the future.
As a student of Illumination Design, you will develop your expertise in lighting for architectural and urban environments. You will understand how rapidly-evolving sustainable lighting technologies are changing industry practise and are contributing to new opportunities for creative applications of modern materials, colours and technologies.
This course will develop your understanding of the relationship between lighting and allied-build environment disciplines as well as the interaction of optics, psychology and physiology. You will be given the preparation you need to adapt to technological changes and lead future breakthroughs.
More detail on the Program (including course planner, credit request forms and timetable links) can be found at the Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning home page .
Subject areas
Shared pool
Your entry requirements
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Your fee
How to apply
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
Admission requirement
A successful applicant for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Architectural Science (Illumination Design) will have a bachelor's degree or will have completed the Graduate Certificate in Architectural Science (Illumination Design) with an average mark of 70 per cent. This program can be taken with a secondary stream in combination with another Architectural Science Program. To undertake a double degree, the core units from the secondary degree are generally taken as the electives in the primary degree. Please see the Faculty Handbook for enrolment advice for secondary stream structure, and apply through the specific double specialisation course page. Many Architectural Science units are taught as `block-modeintensive classes, delivered over four to six full days, of which some fall on weekends to accommodate full-time working students. Some units however may be delivered in weekly lecture format. Students may apply to upgrade at the completion of their program from the Graduate Certificate, through to the Diploma and then to the Masters by maintaining a credit average over the course of study. Masters and Diploma students may also opt to graduate with a lower level of certification once the required units are complete. Please note that students may commence studies in Semester 2, however some courses are only available in part-time capacity due to the units on offer.
Credit for previous study
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
Option to combine with
Career Pathways
Graduates of this course are working at lighting design firms, engineering companies, lighting equipment manufacturers, architectural and design practices, lighting distributors, and as private consultants. Completion of the Graduate Diploma often leads to further study in this field, and you may also use the degree as the foundation for a research degree in illumination design.Domestic students
International students
