Germany makes education enriching and affordable, making it a popular choice for international students looking to study architecture. Both bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from Germany are highly regarded by worldwide employers. The credit for it goes to the country’s esteemed technical universities, some of which charge no tuition fees at all. German architectural degrees are generally taught at Applied Sciences (technical) universities, although some may also be taught at Art universities. To top it all, a student of architecture in Germany could never find the chance to complain about a lack of inspiration. Stay with us till the end of this blog, for an interesting tour of Masters in Architecture in Germany.
Why Study Masters in Architecture in Germany?
Let us first begin by understanding what makes Germany a preferred choice for Masters in Architecture -
- Career Opportunities: There is an increase in revenue for architects in all sorts of professions Not only are job opportunities sufficient but the. universities for Masters in Architecture in Germany themselves have partnership with various industries and corporations. Finding Employment is thus a smooth process.
- High demand for Architects: As a result of the recent boost in government spending, the architecture and the construction industry is expected to have an increase in sales by at least 4 percent but there is a labour shortage. After completing a Masters in Architecture in Germany you could easily capitalise on this opportunity.
- Affordability: Universities in Germany have been most known for their affordability. Most public universities let students study for no tuition cost at all! The only expense you have to worry about are the living costs. Someone looking for Masters in architecture in Germany for international students would be delighted to know about Masters in Architecture in Germany cost.
Therefore, if you have completed your Bachelors in Architecture and are wondering where to apply for your masters, be rest assured that Germany is among the best options for you.
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Eligibility Criteria & Admission Requirements for Masters in Architecture in Germany
Confused about your first steps and how to study for Germany? Let us break those down for you, beginning with eligibility and admission.
Although every architecture university in Germany has their own eligibility requirement, the best universities for Architecture in Germany generally have a few commonalities. These are requirements that are generally constant irrespective of the university you are applying to -
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A Valid Bachelor’s Degree
The first eligibility requirement for masters in Architecture is that you must have a Bachelor's degree in architecture or related field.
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Portfolio
Most architecture colleges in Germany require students to submit the student’s own work or portfolio in digital form. The Portfolio should demonstrate the student’s skills and motivation for studying architecture.
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Language Proficiency Requirements
Courses related to masters of Architecture in Germany are taught in German or English. Universities with German as the language of instruction requires German proficiency at a B2 level in accordance with the Common European Reference for Languages. However, some Universities may require a certificate of a higher C1 level as well. Apart from proficiency in German, students may also be required to produce the English proficiency scores in IELTS (6.5 or above) or TOEFL(80 or above).
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Document Requirements
A student may be asked to produce the following documents for admission -
- Educational Transcripts
- Letter of Motivation (similar to Statement of Purpose)
- Updated Resume (CV)
- Proof of Language Proficiency (for example, IELTS or TOEFL for English; DSH for German)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Germany Blocked Account
- Current Photos and Copy of Passport
- Evaluation of Bachelor’s certificates by uni-assist for a degree obtained in a country outside of the EU/EEA
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Visa Requirements
It is mandatory for all foreign students to get a German student visa for getting accepted into German universities. The application fee for this visa is 75 EUR which is approximately 6,000 INR. The German National Visa Application also requires several documents including Health & Travel insurance, passport, etc.
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REMEMBER: A university may have additional requirements for admission to the masters program. Therefore, make sure you check the official website to understand all their requirements. |
Admission Process for Masters in Architecture in Germany
The admission process for Masters in Architecture for most universities begins with respect to the application deadline. German Universities for masters programs, open their applications at different times. The intake deadlines for some universities are :
University |
Month of Intake |
Technical University of Munich |
May |
University of Stuttgart |
February |
RWTH Aachen University |
March and September |
Stuttgart Academy of Arts |
July |
Along with the filled in application form, you will be required to attach the required documents mentioned above.
Now, every university may have slight variations in terms of the admission process, but more or less, it remains the same. However, it is best to check with the university.
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Top Universities in Germany for Masters in Architecture
Now that we know about the admission process and requirements, let us find out which ones are the best architecture colleges in Germany.
In this section, we shall cover the best architecture colleges in Germany including Masters in architecture in Germany fees, architecture courses in Germany and more.
TUM is regarded by most as the best university in Germany for Masters in Architecture. Students of the Master’s in Architecture here have the choice to engage beyond the basics of architecture like planning, design, and can focus on more advanced studies like technical priorities. For that purpose, students have the choice between four key topics: The core practice “Architectural Design” and three activity based courses of “Integrated Building Technologies”, “Urban and Landscape Transformation” and “Cultural Heritage, History and Criticism”.
Type |
Public university |
QS World Ranking 2022 |
50 |
Mode of Instruction |
German, but certain modules are taught in English |
Average Tuition Fee |
No Tuition Fee |
Program Offered |
M.A. Architecture |
RWTH Aachen University is considered not only one of the best architecture universities in Germany, but also the oldest. Architects have been trained here since 1878! Its high number of prospective students exemplifies its successful history in education. The teaching process focuses on design, artistic and technical knowledge and skills based on socio-cultural and environmental responsibility. With more than 100 institutes, the faculty is one of the largest hence a large student community will always be there to have your back.
Type |
Public university |
QS World Ranking 2022 |
165 |
Mode of Instruction |
German |
Average Tuition Fee |
No Tuition Fee |
Program Offered |
M.Sc. Architecture |
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Bauhaus-Weimar University
Bauhaus-Weimar University is one of the most well regarded art and architecture institutions in Europe.Architecture courses at the university are conducted by the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, which is the largest of its kind in Europe. The master's degree in Architecture at Bauhaus is research oriented. It focuses on architectural education, communication and presentation skills, to help graduates be optimally prepared for the job market.
Type |
Public university |
Country rank |
NA |
Mode of Instruction |
German |
Average Tuition Fee |
No Tuition fee |
Program Offered |
M.Sc. Architecture |
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Stuttgart Academy of Arts
The Master's in Architecture here strays from the German standard, it is more artists’ academia inclined than towards polytechnics. The students are taught to assess challenges regarding not just aesthetic appeal but also cultural, social and ecological implications. The programme is divided into three major fields Design Technology, city building and Media Theory.
Type |
Public university |
Country rank |
NA |
Mode of Instruction |
German |
Average Tuition Fee |
1,500 EUR per semester |
Program Offered |
M.A. Architecture |
University of Stuttgart is one of the leading public architecture colleges in Germany for Masters. Not only does it have the conventional courses on architecture found in other universities too but also the MSc Program Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design Research (ITECH). ITECh is a multidisciplinary, research-oriented, experiment-based program. It prepares students from different disciplines for technologically advanced architecture, and merges the fields of design, engineering, construction, and natural sciences.
Type |
Public university |
QS World Ranking 2022 |
347 |
Mode of Instruction |
German and English |
Average Tuition Fee |
1,500 EUR per semester |
Program Offered |
M.Sc. Architecture and Urban Planning M.Sc. Integrated urbanism and sustainable design M.Sc. Real Estate Engineering and Management M.Sc. Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design Research (ITECH) |
TU Dresden is modern, multidisciplinary with 17 faculties. The Faculty's teaching staff consists of successful architects as well as reputable scientists and researchers. The architecture course covers modern issues such as existing buildings and sustainable urban development, environmentally-friendly construction and renovation and more. The research-oriented master's programme in Art History deals with the history of art from architecture and classical visual art to photography, film and other modern media.
Type |
Public university |
QS World Ranking 2022 |
194 |
Mode of Instruction |
German |
Average Tuition Fee |
No Tuition Fee |
Program Offered |
M.A Art History |
Career Opportunities in Germany After Masters in Architecture
There has been a considerable rise in revenue for architects in Germany recently, as evident in the datasheet attached below.
Source: EU Commision website for Architects in Europe
About 80% of architects in Germany are involved in the planning of buildings, the other sectors available for students to find jobs under, include interior architects (5%), landscape architects, and urban planners. Students can also combine several areas of work to become city planners. In the case of town planners, the salary curve is comparatively higher.
Here are some of the prospective job profiles for graduates after completing masters level courses in architecture universities in Germany:
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary |
Architects in the industrial sectors |
37,000 EUR per year |
Interior Designer |
36,000 EUR per year |
Landscape architect. |
35,000 EUR per year |
Town planner |
42,000 EUR per year |
Frequently Asked Questions About Masters in Architecture in Germany
- Is Germany good for architecture masters?
Yes, Germany is great for architecture. Almost all of its public universities teaching Architecture have global rankings! The country offers students not just a choice of the kind of university in terms of technical universities or academies of arts, it also provides a good range of courses too.
- Is architecture a good career in Germany?
Yes, indeed. With investment being poured into housing and construction, the career opportunities for architects in Germany are ample. There is a good return when you study architecture in Germany. Moreover, even a Masters in Architecture in Germany opens up a student's vision to architecture from the most captivating of ages.
- Which university is best for architecture in Germany?
Arguably, the best university for architecture in Germany is Technical University of Munich. However, this ranking also depends on the exact specifics of the course content a student wishes to take on.
- Can I study architecture in English in Germany?
Yes, you can study Architecture in Germany in courses taught in English. Some universities in Germany offering an Masters in Architecture do teach in English too like TU Munich and University of Stuttgart.
- Is Masters in Architecture free in Germany?
Most public universities in Germany do not require students to pay a tuition fee. Therefore, education in these universities can be considered partially free.
With minimal tuition fees and a lucrative job market, pursuing masters in architecture in Germany for international students is definitely one of the best options. The country's top architecture schools will not only provide you with the best education but also ensure you have a diverse practical experience before you head out to the real world.