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
Build a career as a lighting specialist and oversee the implementation of sustainable and innovative solutions for large-scale architecture and property projects.
This program offers a strong technical education in human visual perception, methods for quantifying light, lighting technologies and sustainability. Using biology and physics, the coursework gives you a deep appreciation of the ways that light shapes the human experience of the built environment. This is complemented by a practical curriculum to prepare you for a career in the lighting industry.
Commonwealth Supported Places
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)* are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
*Some available streams, subject to availability.
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)
What you'll study
All Illumination Design core units are taught in block mode intensives over several full days rather than weekly lectures.
Part-time study is available for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
You may take individual subjects as continuing professional development short courses without enrolling in a degree.
Indicative course progression
| Unit code | Unit of study | Sem | CP |
| DESC9200 | Introduction to Architectural Science | 1 | 6 |
| DESC9167 | Light and Vision | 1 | 6 |
| DESC9166 | Photometry and Colorimetry | 1 | 6 |
| Elective | 1 | 6 | |
| DESC9201 | Indoor Environmental Quality | 2 | 6 |
| DESC9164 | Lighting Technologies | 2 | 6 |
| DESC9154 | Lighting Design Software | 2 | 6 |
| DESC9198 | Subjective Analysis in Lighting design | 2 | 6 |
| Unit code | Unit of study | Sem | CP |
| DESC9152 | Practice of Lighting Design | 1 | 6 |
| Elective | 1 | 6 | |
| Elective | 1 | 6 | |
| Elective | 1 | 6 |
Credit points required per semester: 24
Indicative progression based on a 72 credit point master’s degree with a Semester 1 enrolment.
Admission requirement
A successful applicant for admission to the Master in Architectural Science will have a bachelor's degree or possess experience which is considered to demonstrate the knowledge and aptitude required to undertake the course.
Students who complete the Graduate Diploma with a WAM of 70 or higher are able to apply to continue into the Master in Architectural Science in the same course stream.
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.
Masters 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.
Career Pathways
Career pathways for graduates include employment in lighting design practices, engineering firms, lighting equipment manufacturers, architectural and design offices, lighting distributors and independent consultancies.
The world is changing, and university education needs to change too
Domestic students
International students
