Germany is a popular choice for international students looking to study architecture. This is thanks to the country’s highly regarded technical universities and lack of tuition fees. Both bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from Germany are highly regarded by worldwide employees.
Let's have a look at the top German Universities for architecture.
Becoming an architect in Germany is a little different than in other countries
There is no specific professional exam, but you will need to complete at least three years of undergraduate study, followed by a masters degree and then undertake employment working alongside a certified architect before you can register with the Chamber of Architects.
German architectural degrees are generally taught at Applied Sciences (technical) universities, although some are also taught at Art universities.
Choosing a bachelors or masters degree in architecture in Germany for international students is a sensible choice, as students are able to study without tuition fees, just like German nationals.
Prospective students will need to apply directly to the university online, or via its international office, depending on the specific process preferred by a given university.
Those from non-EU certain countries will need to secure a Student Visa before they begin. Expatrio can also help with securing your health insurance and a blocked account, both of which will be required to study in Germany.
It is possible to do an architecture bachelor degree in Germany in English followed by an architecture master degree in Germany in English, but the majority of these degree courses are delivered in German.
The best German architectural degrees are taught at the country’s leading technical universities such as Berlin and Leibniz as well as the globally renowned art school, Bauhaus-Weimar.
You can find out more about university programs on our Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Germany page.
Search by city, major, or field of study, and find your dream study program in Germany.
Find a courseThe Bauhaus-Weimar University is one of the most famous art and architecture institutions in Europe. Founded in 1860 as the Great Ducal Art School, it was here that the Bauhaus movement began in 1919. The university was renamed in 1996 to reflect this significance.
This prestigious university is home to just 4000 students, including 1000 international students. However, the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism is one of the largest of its kind in Germany. Students can undertake a three-year B.Sc. in Architecture or a B.Sc. in Urbanism, as well as M.Sc. in each of these.
There is also a choice of M.Sc. in either Media Architecture, European Urban Studies or Advanced Urbanism. For courses in Architecture and Urbanism, prospective students are required to undertake an aptitude assessment before they are able to apply. Enrolment for courses is at the start of the winter semester.
RWTH Aachen is the largest technical university in Germany with a total of 47,000 students, 12,000 of which are foreign nationals.
The university was founded in 1870. Those looking to study architecture at the RWTH Aachen University in Germany will find that all courses are taught in German.
The B.Sc. in Architecture has many more applicants than places and therefore has restricted admission. Enrolment is at the start of the Winter Semester. Students can progress to an M.Sc. in either Architecture or Urban Planning.
The deadline for international students applying for a bachelor degree in architecture is the 15th of July.
Berlin’s Technical University was founded in 1879. It is one of Germany’s leading universities for engineering. It has the highest proportion of international students in Germany (8,000 out of 34,000 students in total).
The architecture programs are under the remit of the Planning, Building and Environment Faculty. This includes a three-year B.Sc. of Architecture which can lead to one of many M.Sc. including Architecture, Urban Design, Heritage Conservation or the English-taught M-Arch-T.
International bachelor applicants must apply via Uni-assist e.V. before the 15th July if they wish to enroll in the Winter Semester that same year.
Founded in 1830, Leibniz is one of the oldest and largest Applied Sciences universities in Germany.
The three-year B.Sc. in Architecture and the B.Sc. in Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning are both administered by the Faculty of Architecture and Landscape Sciences. They are both three-year, restricted admission courses commencing in the Winter Semester.
This follows onto a choice of Masters degrees including Architecture and Urban Design, Environmental Planning or the European Master in Landscape Architecture (EMiLA).
Dortmund’s Technical University is of one of Germany’s youngest institutions, having been founded in 2014. With 34,000 students, including 4000 foreign students, it’s quickly grown to become a large and also highly regarded institution.
The Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering offers both a German-taught B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Architecture and Urban Design.
Applications for international students can be made online, the deadline for degrees commencing in the Winter Semester is the 15th July.