The qualification provides the construction industry with graduates who have the essential knowledge and skills required to enter employment as architectural technicians and be able to work on small and medium scale building projects of limited complexity through all stages to completion under the supervision of an experienced architectural technician, designer or architect.
This qualification is designed for people intending to work as architectural technicians, and also provides recognition of knowledge and skills for those already working in the role.
The qualification will provide employers and consumers with the confidence that working drawings are produced that meet the requirements of New Zealand legislation, Codes of Practice, and New Zealand and Australian Standards.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

- Apply comprehensive knowledge of construction principles and methodology to evaluate design for small and medium building projects in a design, building or construction related environment.
- Carry out feasibility studies for small, medium and large buildings.
- Establish the clients' requirements, develop and communicate a concept and building design, and prepare approval documentation for a building project in accordance with a clients' brief.
- Evaluate the performance of and select materials and finishes to be used in the building process.
- Prepare, organise and present architectural documentation for small and medium buildings using manual and digital technologies in accordance with the legislative and regulatory environment.
- Apply knowledge of the roles and responsibilities, documentation and administrative requirements, including the tendering process to construction contract management processes.
- Apply organisational principles, use digital technologies and industry best practice to communicate effectively with parties to a construction contract.

This qualification may build on the following:
- New Zealand Certificate in Frame and Truss Detailing (Level 4) [Ref: 2085]
- New Zealand Diploma in Timber Structure Detailing (Level 5) [Ref: 4377]
- New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) [Ref: 2738]
- New Zealand Certificate in Joinery (Level 4) with strands in Cabinetry, Timber Door and Window, Timber
Stairs, Laminate Fabrication, and Cabinetry Installation (with optional strand in Computer Numerical
Controlled Machinery) [Ref: 2343]
- New Zealand Diploma in Design (Kitchen Design/Bathroom Design) (Level 5) [Ref: 3221]

This qualification may lead to further higher-level tertiary study in the fields of Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or Architectural Design.

Academic Requirements
NCEA Level 2 which must include:
12 credits in Literacy Level 1 or above
and
12 credits in Numeracy Level 1 or above
or
New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Architectural Studies) Level 3 or equivalent.
or
If you have undertaken examinations other that NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

Alternative Requirements
Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic entry requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry. This may include Recognition of Prior Learning. Contact Ara for advice.

English Requirements
If English is not the applicant's first language, applicants will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart. Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, may contact Ara for an assessment.
* IELTS 6.0 Academic (no lower than 5.5 in any subtest). For acceptable alternatives refer to the English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.

Note: IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
Applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.

Selection
Applicants who meet the requirements for admission are accepted into the programme in the order their applications are received