MSD Design Portfolio Requirements

Please visit the specific course webpage to determine whether you meet the entry requirements for admission and require a portfolio, prior to referring to this information.

Portfolios are to be submitted online through the MSD SlideRoom portal. Prior to submission, please ensure you have read and understood the MSD Portfolio Requirements and the Terms and Conditions.

Answers to commonly asked questions about the design portfolio can be found on the MSD FAQs page. Links to the MSD guides and a How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Entry video can also be found at the bottom of this page.

The following programs require a design portfolio to be assessed for entry:

And the following programs may require a design portfolio:

Find your specific course and stream below for the relevant portfolio requirements for your application.

Architecture Portfolio Requirements

The following requirements apply to:

  • For students with a background in Architecture or Landscape Architecture
    1. Portfolio Requirements

      • A maximum number of 20 single pages
      • Saved as one PDF file, in landscape format
      • The file size should not exceed 10 MB
      • Showcase 3 - 4 projects, with preferably 4 pages or more per project
      • Projects must be clearly labelled
      • Imagery should be of high resolution
      • A maximum of 1 professional or work experience project. Unless your undergraduate degree was completed 5 or more years from the date of submission.

      Please refer to the MSD Design Portfolio Guide and MSD Design Portfolio Assessment Matrix for further information regarding how to prepare your portfolio for submission.

    2. Additional Documents

      In addition to your design portfolio, you must also submit the following supporting documentation with your SlideRoom submission:

      • Academic Transcript/s
      • Personal Statement

      Refer to the MSD Personal Statement guide for information on how to prepare your personal statement.

    3. Referees

      As part of your SlideRoom submission, the MSD Admissions Department requires three referees who can confirm the authorship of projects included in your portfolio. The following information is required for each referee:

      • Position Title
      • Full name
      • Email address
      • Phone number

      We are unable to accept personal referees such as family members, friends or peers. Your referees should be able to confirm the work you have completed as part of your portfolio including any work completed at university and volunteer/professional level.

      The MSD Admissions Department and/or MSD Academic Selection Committee may complete a reference check at any point to confirm the provenance of your portfolio.

    4. Deadline

      Your SlideRoom submission must be submitted by the course application deadline. Failure to provide your SlideRoom submission by the deadline may result in your course application remaining incomplete and ineligible for assessment.

      Please refer to the course webpage under the ‘How to Apply’ tab for the relevant course application deadlines.

    5. Submission

      Following completion of your online course application you will receive a link to the MSD SlideRoom portal. You will need to set up an account to upload your portfolio for submission.

      A portfolio submission fee of USD$5 applies, which will need to be paid before your portfolio can be successfully be submitted. You can pay the submission fee using one of the following: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diner’s Club and China Union Pay.

      Please read through the Terms and Conditions listed on the MSD SlideRoom portal prior to submission. You cannot edit your portfolio once it has been submitted.

    6. Important Information

      The MSD receives a large volume of applications for our portfolio-based programs per intake, and consequently the application process is highly competitive. The assessment process is largely based on the review of the design portfolio and personal statement (if applicable).

      To maintain equity and equality in assessment, the MSD Selection Committee:

      • Cannot accept re-submissions for the same course for the same intake
      • Cannot provide individual feedback on your portfolio
      • Cannot re-assess a portfolio once an outcome has been made
  • For students with a non-design based background
    1. Portfolio Requirements

      • A maximum number of 10 single pages
      • Saved as one PDF file, in landscape format
      • The file size should not exceed 10 MB
      • Showcase 2 projects
      • Projects must be clearly labelled
      • Imagery should be of high resolution

      Please refer to the MSD Design Portfolio Guide and MSD Design Portfolio Assessment Matrix for further information regarding how to prepare your portfolio for submission.

      Portfolios should be drawn largely from the design studio subject completed as the subject prerequisite for entry into the Master of Architecture 3-Year (300 point stream) program.

      The portfolio should include at least one project produced at university level in a studio learning environment. The second project may be a choice of university, professional, or personal work. Personal work can include creative work such as drawings, sketches, photography etc. that clearly exemplify design skills.

    2. Additional Documents

      In addition to your design portfolio, you must also submit the following supporting documentation with your SlideRoom submission:

      • Academic Transcript/s
      • Personal Statement

      Refer to the MSD Personal Statement guide for information on how to prepare your personal statement.

    3. Referees

      As part of your SlideRoom submission, the MSD Admissions Department requires one–two referees who can confirm the authorship of projects included in your portfolio. The following information is required for each referee:

      • Position Title
      • Full name
      • Email address
      • Phone number

      We are unable to accept personal referees such as family members, friends or peers. Your referees should be able to confirm the work you have completed as part of your portfolio including any work completed at university and volunteer/professional level.

      The MSD Admissions Department and/or MSD Academic Selection Committee may complete a reference check at any point to confirm the provenance of your portfolio.

    4. Deadline

      Your SlideRoom submission must be submitted by the course application deadline. Failure to provide your SlideRoom submission by the deadline may result in your course application remaining incomplete and ineligible for assessment.

      Please refer to the course webpage under the ‘How to Apply’ tab for the relevant course application deadlines.

    5. Submission

      Following completion of your online course application you will receive a link to the MSD SlideRoom portal. You will need to set up an account to upload your portfolio for submission.

      A portfolio submission fee of USD$5 applies, which will need to be paid before your portfolio can be successfully be submitted. You can pay the submission fee using one of the following: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diner’s Club and China Union Pay.

      Please read through the Terms and Conditions listed on the MSD SlideRoom portal prior to submission. You cannot edit your portfolio once it has been submitted.

    6. Important Information

      The MSD receives a large volume of applications for our portfolio-based programs per intake, and consequently the application process is highly competitive. The assessment process is largely based on the review of the design portfolio and personal statement (if applicable).

      To maintain equity and equality in assessment, the MSD Selection Committee:

      • Cannot accept re-submissions for the same course for the same intake
      • Cannot provide individual feedback on your portfolio
      • Cannot re-assess a portfolio once an outcome has been made

Landscape Architecture Portfolio Requirements

The following requirements apply to:

  • For students with a design-based background

    Students who have completed a design-based background in any discipline are required to submit a design portfolio for Landscape Architecture courses.

    1. Portfolio Requirements

      • A maximum number of 20 single pages
      • Saved as one PDF file, in landscape format
      • The file size should not exceed 10 MB
      • Showcase 3 - 4 projects, with preferably 4 pages or more per project
      • Projects must be clearly labelled
      • Imagery should be of high resolution
      • A maximum of 1 professional or work experience project. Unless your undergraduate degree was completed 5 or more years from the date of submission.

      Please refer to the MSD Design Portfolio Guide and MSD Design Portfolio Assessment Matrix for further information regarding how to prepare your portfolio for submission.

    2. Additional Documents

      In addition to your design portfolio, you must also submit the following supporting documentation with your SlideRoom submission:

      • Academic Transcript/s
      • Personal Statement

      Refer to the MSD Personal Statement guide for information on how to prepare your personal statement.

    3. Referees

      As part of your SlideRoom submission, the MSD Admissions Department requires three referees who can confirm the authorship of projects included in your portfolio. The following information is required for each referee:

      • Position Title
      • Full name
      • Email address
      • Phone number

      We are unable to accept personal referees such as family members, friends or peers. Your referees should be able to confirm the work you have completed as part of your portfolio including any work completed at university and volunteer/professional level.

      The MSD Admissions Department and/or MSD Academic Selection Committee may complete a reference check at any point to confirm the provenance of your portfolio.

    4. Deadline

      Your SlideRoom submission must be submitted by the course application deadline. Failure to provide your SlideRoom submission by the deadline may result in your course application remaining incomplete and ineligible for assessment.

      Please refer to the course webpage under the ‘How to Apply’ tab for the relevant course application deadlines.

    5. Submission

      Following completion of your online course application you will receive a link to the MSD SlideRoom portal. You will need to set up an account to upload your portfolio for submission.

      A portfolio submission fee of USD$5 applies, which will need to be paid before your portfolio can be successfully be submitted. You can pay the submission fee using one of the following: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diner’s Club and China Union Pay.

      Please read through the Terms and Conditions listed on the MSD SlideRoom portal prior to submission. You cannot edit your portfolio once it has been submitted.

    6. Important Information

      The MSD receives a large volume of applications for our portfolio-based programs per intake, and consequently the application process is highly competitive. The assessment process is largely based on the review of the design portfolio and personal statement (if applicable).

      To maintain equity and equality in assessment, the MSD Selection Committee:

      • Cannot accept re-submissions for the same course for the same intake
      • Cannot provide individual feedback on your portfolio
      • Cannot re-assess a portfolio once an outcome has been made
  • For students with a non-design based background

    No design portfolio is required.

Urban Design Portfolio Requirements

The following requirements apply to:

  • For all students
    1. Portfolio Requirements

      • A maximum number of 20 single pages
      • Saved as one PDF file, in landscape format
      • The file size should not exceed 10 MB
      • Showcase 3 - 4 projects, with preferably 4 pages or more per project
      • Projects must be clearly labelled
      • Imagery should be of high resolution
      • A maximum of 1 professional or work experience project. Unless your undergraduate degree was completed 5 or more years from the date of submission.

      Please refer to the MSD Design Portfolio Guide and MSD Design Portfolio Assessment Matrix for further information regarding how to prepare your portfolio for submission.

    2. Additional Documents

      In addition to your design portfolio, you must also submit the following supporting documentation with your SlideRoom submission:

      • Academic Transcript/s
      • Personal Statement

      Refer to the MSD Personal Statement guide for information on how to prepare your personal statement.

    3. Referees

      As part of your SlideRoom submission, the MSD Admissions Department requires three referees who can confirm the authorship of projects included in your portfolio. The following information is required for each referee:

      • Position Title
      • Full name
      • Email address
      • Phone number

      We are unable to accept personal referees such as family members, friends or peers. Your referees should be able to confirm the work you have completed as part of your portfolio including any work completed at university and volunteer/professional level.

      The MSD Admissions Department and/or MSD Academic Selection Committee may complete a reference check at any point to confirm the provenance of your portfolio.

    4. Deadline

      Your SlideRoom submission must be submitted by the course application deadline. Failure to provide your SlideRoom submission by the deadline may result in your course application remaining incomplete and ineligible for assessment.

      Please refer to the course webpage under the ‘How to Apply’ tab for the relevant course application deadlines.

    5. Submission

      Following completion of your online course application you will receive a link to the MSD SlideRoom portal. You will need to set up an account to upload your portfolio for submission.

      A portfolio submission fee of USD$5 applies, which will need to be paid before your portfolio can be successfully be submitted. You can pay the submission fee using one of the following: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diner’s Club and China Union Pay.

      Please read through the Terms and Conditions listed on the MSD SlideRoom portal prior to submission. You cannot edit your portfolio once it has been submitted.

    6. Important Information

      The MSD receives a large volume of applications for our portfolio-based programs per intake, and consequently the application process is highly competitive. The assessment process is largely based on the review of the design portfolio and personal statement (if applicable).

      To maintain equity and equality in assessment, the MSD Selection Committee:

      • Cannot accept re-submissions for the same course for the same intake
      • Cannot provide individual feedback on your portfolio
      • Cannot re-assess a portfolio once an outcome has been made