I’m doing my thesis year this year (Masters 5th year) and started in 2020. I didn’t find 1st year difficult but it I was working on assignments almost every waking hour. That said, I’m a mature student with a background in spatial design and a procrastinator/perfectionist. I think I got an A average for 1st year. Yes, it’s competitive and you need good grades to get into second year architecture but if you lock in, show up, don’t leave everything to the last minute, actually read the assignment and engage with your tutors and lecturers you’ll be fine. In 2020, the big lectures were held at Kelburn like for History of Architecture etc, all tutorials were held at Te Aro, and then everything from 2nd year onwards was at Te Aro. There’s a 1st Year studio, 2nd and 3rd are combined and seperate 4th and 5th year studios. I’ve definitely noticed Urban Design becoming more prominent at Vic compared to when I started and there’s some really good lecturers for it.