Diploma in Architecture

Shape urban experiences through sustainable architectural design and technology. Create human-centred designs with immersive visualisation, AI, and more – to impact lives and communities. Earn recognised certifications and network with top firms and industry veterans.

View curriculum

Design the Future City

Net Aggregate Range

ELR2B2-C (2026 JAE) 9 to 15 points

ELMAB3 (2026 PFP) 4 to 10 points

diploma

Craft the blueprints for a greener world.

You will become professionals who are:

Visionary. Meticulous. Inventive.

Craft the blueprints for a greener world

Architect your passion

Shape the future of spaces with skills that blend creativity, digital innovation, and storytelling. Work with masters of the craft like DP Architects, Surbana Jurong, and more.

Up to 1.5 years of university exemptions

Gain advanced standing of one year at NUS Architecture, or up to 1.5 years at top overseas universities.

Boundless architectural adventures abroad

Gain valuable industry experience through projects, internships, and overseas architectural immersion trips to Germany, France, and more.

At the end of this diploma course, you’ll gain the following course competencies:

Architectural Practice & Project Management
Architectural Research & Design
Building Construction & Optimisation
Integrated Digital Delivery
Sustainable Building Strategies & Technologies

23 Competency Units (CmU)
Each CmU integrates skills and knowledge from different disciplines. This enables students to fulfil specific work tasks upon completion.
5 Work-Integration Units (WIU)
A WIU is a workplace contextualised project. It allows students to tackle real-world work problems under the guidance of our educators, so that our students graduate ready for the workplace. Each WIU belongs to a Competency Canvas that helps you develop and demonstrate your abilities to perform work tasks at a higher proficiency.
5 Course Competencies
Each Competency Canvas consists of a collection of CmUs and a WIU. Competency Canvases help you develop and demonstrate your abilities to perform work tasks at a higher proficiency.
1 Internship Programme (ITP)
In Year 3, all students will have the opportunity to participate in a 12-week internship with our industry partners, gaining hands-on experience that will help them become confident in the workplace.
1 Final Year Project (FYP)
In Year 3, all students will undertake a final year project. This is a final project to showcase the skills that they have gained in the diploma.
6 - 11 LifePRO Units ^NEW
These learning units will support your holistic development beyond your domain-specific studies.

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Interested in applying for this course via EAE? Get practical tips to strengthen your application.

Course Curriculum

This course adopts the new Professional Competency Model.
Every student will get to work with leading industry professionals like DP Architects and CPG Consultants.

Learning Units

Architectonics & Construction & Optimisation Architectural Behaviourology Architectural Phenomenology Architectural Visualisation Building Information Modeling & Management Building Structures Building Systems Design Effective Storytelling Ideas & Approaches in Design Body Interface Design StudioWIU Dwelling Design StudioWIU

WIU
Learning Units

Computational & Parametric Design Environmental System & Analysis Immersive Visualisation Nature & Systems Analysis Project Management Regulatory Compliance & Submission Sustainable Built Environment Systems & Approaches in Urban Studies Design with Nature StudioWIU Design in Context StudioWIU

WIU

Personal Career Strategy 2 Understanding Singapore 2 Respect in Relationships

WIU
Learning Units

Architectural Practice & Entrepreneurship Architecture & Urbanism Design Futures StudioWIU Final Year ProjectWIU Internship ProgrammeWIU Portfolio DevelopmentWIU

WIU
As part of your three‑year diploma journey at NYP, you will take LifePRO Units (LPUs)^NEWalongside your course learning units for a well‑rounded experience. Through a mix of prescribed and elective LPUs, you will build life skills beyond your discipline and prepare for work and life after graduation.

See LPU descriptions Go to

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

LifePRO Units

As part of your three‑year diploma journey at NYP, you will take LifePRO Units (LPUs)^NEWalongside your course learning units for a well‑rounded experience. Through a mix of prescribed and elective LPUs, you will build life skills beyond your discipline and prepare for work and life after graduation.

See LPU descriptions

Opportunities

Nurturing you to be future-ready

Internships

Lay the right foundations in sustainable architecture with an internship at a top architectural firm. Learn from the best, gaining hands-on experience and honing the technical and soft skills you’ll need to succeed in the sector. Start building a design portfolio that stands out, while forging the connections that will open doors to future opportunities.

"The opportunity to be attached to CPG, a well-established architectural firm in Singapore, was already exciting – but being posted to its overseas office in Hanoi, Vietnam, was enriching. We were involved in live projects, made regular site visits, and watched designs come to life in real structures. Beyond the office, we also learnt to be more independent as we cooked and adapted to a new culture."

- Hoo Yi Xuan, Lucas Kok Song Yuan, Lee Wee Seng Wilson (Class of 2025)

Overseas Programmes

Expand your global horizons by exploring diverse business landscapes, international trends, and networking opportunities through our study exchanges and educational trips, international conferences, design festivals, and competitions.

Diploma-Plus Programme

Broaden your horizons through our Diploma-Plus Programme, where you can acquire specialised skills and advanced knowledge for immediate workplace application or further university studies. This certified programme culminates in a Dip-Plus transcript awarded at graduation.

Get Certified

You will be certified with Digital Delivery Management Tier 4 (P) from buildingSMART Singapore upon passing the learning unit "Building Information Management".

You will also be qualified for the Green Mark Associate Certification from the Singapore Green Building Council.

Industry Collaborations

Sharpen your edge through dynamic learning experiences co-created with our extensive network of industry partners.

Work alongside leading firms such as DP Architects, WOHA, CPG Consultants, RSP, and Surbana Jurong. Through real world projects embedded directly into your learning units, you will engage with cutting edge design innovations and emerging technologies, bridging theory and practice in meaningful ways. Your experience is further enriched through guest lectures, site visits, and immersive field opportunities.

In your final year, you will step into the Design Future Studio, a signature experience co designed with DP Architects and co delivered with industry collaborators. Here, you will tackle ambitious, real world briefs that challenge you to think critically, design boldly, and respond to the complexities shaping tomorrow’s built environment.

Along the way, you will discover how your architectural knowledge can become a powerful force for positive social and environmental impact, equipping you not just to enter the profession, but to help lead its future.

University Foundation Programme

From critical thinking and professional writing to pre-university subjects, build the knowledge and skills you will need to help prepare for your university matriculation.

Competitions

Fearlessly conquer challenges and join international competitions. Make friends as you put your skills to the test.

International Building Design Competition (2023) - 1st Prize

Post-graduation options

Pursue a degree

Get advanced standing for courses at local and overseas universities. Our graduates have pursued degrees at:

National University of Singapore
Nanyang Technological University
Singapore Institute of Technology
Singapore University of Social Sciences
The Glasgow School of Art
and more

Kickstart your career

Our graduates are highly sought after in dynamic industries, with rewarding careers in various fields.

To become a professionally registered architect in Singapore, you need to further your studies to obtain a Master's Degree in Architecture at recognised institutions by the Board of Architects Singapore and fulfil other requirements. Please refer to Board of Architects Singapore for more information.

Advance your diploma

Pursue post-diploma opportunities, including specialist diplomas, industry-recognised certifications, and work-study programmes.

Partners

Who's on board with us

The Diploma in Architecture offers a comprehensive and progressive curriculum designed to meet the needs of future industry demands and the digital transformation.

Ng San Son

Director, DP Architects

Through NYP's learning units like Design Futures Studio, Architecture students will be taught by professionals from DP Architect and work on projects co-created with the firm. Plus, get the opportunity to intern at DP Architects, potentially converting to full-time employment!

The Course Competencies are aligned to the current built environment industry goals, such as the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and Building and Construction Authority Green Mark 2021. The curriculum will develop talents that will enable the transformation of the architectural practice. Read more

Lim Lip Chuan, Frankie

Senior Vice President, CPG Consultants

Get to complete your internships overseas with CPG in Vietnam. Contribute to real-life industry projects related to the firm’s advanced research in sustainability and human-centric design.

We are excited to see the emphasis on sustainability in the curriculum, with Sustainable Building Strategies & Technologies as one of the five Course Competencies in the diploma programme. As Singapore continues to champion sustainability in building and construction, graduates with expertise in this area will be at the forefront of developing innovative green building solutions. We look forward to future graduates joining us to push the envelope in an exciting industry that is constantly striving for progress. Read more

Yvonne Soh

Executive Director, Singapore Green Building Council

It is a good programme that closely matches the industry transformation map set out by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore. It is the right move to focus on the sustainability of all the Course Competencies. This curriculum structure gives learners a great head start on picking up the profound transformation required in the areas of Building Construction & Optimisation and Integrated Digital Delivery upon graduation. The School of Design & Media has made a sound decision to move towards the Professional Competency Model, equipping its learners to meet the increased demand for graduates armed with expertise in these two areas. Read more

Tai Lee Sian

Head of Pillar, Architecture & Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD)

Tsu Hui Lin

Class of 2024 Class of 2024

In the Diploma in Architecture course, we have learnt a variety of skills. My favourite class would be Building Studio, as it provides the freedom to be creative and encourages innovation.
Nur Syahirah Jusman

Class of 2020 Class of 2020

My journey through the Diploma in Architecture at NYP SDM has taught me to think broadly and fostered a deeper sensitivity towards the world around me. Till today, I still look at architecture and spaces with heightened awareness and appreciation.
Ng Choon Yee

Class of 2023 Class of 2023

I really enjoyed the process of creating and developing unconventional ideas for my design studio projects. NYP has certainly nurtured our critical thinking and technical skills that prepared me well to cope and do well at NUS.

Testimonials

Real experiences, real results

Get the inside scoop – students’ insights, experiences, and stories! Learn about the heartbeat of student life at NYP Architecture in their own words.

Architecture Showcase

showcase

Architecture Showreel 2026

A compilation of architectural works by the NYP School of Design & Media (SDM) year 1 - year 3 students.

Winning the ArchiFuture Design Challenge (2023)

Our student Ng Choon Yee took top honours in Singapore’s Design Challenge with her final-year project that envisioned a future where nature and city structures coexist.

Digital twin of the School of Design & Media

Developed with Anacle Systems, this digital twin enables data-driven solutioning and decision-making. This human-centred design improves energy consumption and circulation flows.

Facilities

Explore. Learn. Grow.

360° SDM Facility Tour

Let our lecturers take you on a tour around the campus in our 360° SDM Facility Tour video!

Final Year Design Studio

An incubator for innovation where you can harness the power of technology and collaboration to bring your architectural ideas to life.

M3 Gallery

A gallery displaying exceptional final-year projects from students at the School of Design and Media, recognising their outstanding creativity and innovation.

360° SDM Facility Tour

Let our lecturers take you on a tour around the campus in our 360° SDM Facility Tour video!

Final Year Design Studio

An incubator for innovation where you can harness the power of technology and collaboration to bring your architectural ideas to life.

M3 Gallery

A gallery displaying exceptional final-year projects from students at the School of Design and Media, recognising their outstanding creativity and innovation.

360° SDM Facility Tour

Let our lecturers take you on a tour around the campus in our 360° SDM Facility Tour video!

Final Year Design Studio

An incubator for innovation where you can harness the power of technology and collaboration to bring your architectural ideas to life.

M3 Gallery

A gallery displaying exceptional final-year projects from students at the School of Design and Media, recognising their outstanding creativity and innovation.