Kylie Harvey won the best graduate award for Master of Architecture

For one graduand, the celebration marks the culmination of seven years of juggling single parenthood, study and work - with some exceptional results.

After working in sales and human resources, Master of Architecture graduand Kylie Harvey said she felt a desire to move into an industry that challenged her and allowed her to express her creativity.

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"I wanted to do something that I could call my own and could see myself enjoying into the future, I started to explore what I liked to do and I'd always drawn buildings and designed things in my head," she said.

"So I started a TAFE course in Architectural Technology and began working as a draftsperson."

Although Ms Harvey said she was interested in continuing her education after completing her TAFE qualifications, it wasn't until the birth of her second child that she decided to take a leap of faith and enrol in a Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments.

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"Once I had kids and I wasn't working, it was easier to go back to uni and do the thing I've always wanted to do," she said. Ms Harvey said architecture was a notoriously difficult degree and required a high-level of commitment, often spending 60 to 70 hours a week studying.

"There have been a lot of challenges to overcome," she said.

"Just sustaining that effort, determination, and the level of organisation that you need to do it all for so many years has been tough."

After seven years of study, Ms Harvey said she was looking forward to focusing on her career development and spending more quality time with her children.

"I feel a bit like I've been Fred Flintstone, we're driving along but my feet are constantly going to keep everything moving," she said.

"So, I'm looking forward to a slightly nicer speed and having a bit more of a life and spending time with my kids and picking up hobbies again that I haven't had time to think about."

Her level of commitment throughout her studies has paid off for Ms Harvey, who topped her class and secured employment at Cumulus Studio before graduating.

Ms Harvey's children are now aged eight and 11 and will be cheering in the crowd as their mum graduates with her Masters degree.

She said although they may not realise the sacrifices she has made for them just yet, she hoped they would be inspired by her work ethic as they got older.

"I've said to them a few times, if you really want something you've got to work for it, to make it happen for yourself," Ms Harvey said.

"No one else is going to do it for you."

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