Program Overview
In the master's degree program in Architecture, you will deepen and expand your creative, technical and scientific skills from your bachelor's degree and develop your own professional profile in a targeted manner. The standard period of study is four semesters, during which you will earn a total of 120 ECTS credit points. These are divided between the subjects
The degree program is structured as a project course based around the subject of design: in each semester, you will work on a comprehensive structural or urban design project (12 CP each), supplemented by a thematically relevant design specialization (2 CP each). In the first semester, the so-called Impromptu Designs (4 CP) are added as smaller, mostly unsupervised design tasks.
In the subject Architectural Core Competencies, you take part in the compulsory modules Lecture Series (4 CP) and Building and Structure (4 CP) and also choose one module of 4 CP each from the compulsory elective blocks Designing, History, Art and Theory and Urban and Landscape Planning. This allows you to systematically develop your theoretical and technical skills and link them directly to the design projects.
Further opportunities for targeted profile development are available to you in the Specialization module. The Research Fields module (6 CP) is compulsory; in addition, you choose four modules (4 x 4 CP) from a wide range of different courses - from drafting and design workshops to construction and structural planning, architectural theory, art history or digital planning methods. You can also choose from the modules from the compulsory elective blocks of the Architectural Core Competencies subject.
Key Program Features
- • intensive personal supervision by teaching staff with national and international reputations • involvement of students in research projects in all disciplines • certification of special areas of study • contingent of drawing workstations in spacious studios • wide range of well-equipped and supervised study workshops • comprehensive loan of equipment for model making • extensive specialist library for architecture • materials library with a focus on sustainable building materials • printer room that can be used around the clock (plot pool) • Southwest German Archive for Architecture and Civil Engineering (saai) • networking with numerous cultural institutions in the region
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the master's degree program in Architecture primarily work as managers in the planning, design and layout of buildings and building concepts in architect's offices and engineering firms or as freelance architects. Membership of the "Architektenkammer" (Chamber of Architects) is required for freelance work, which is only possible with a master's degree. In addition, architects also can find work in construction planning, historic preservation, urban planning and development, landscape planning and design, traffic planning, spatial planning in public building construction and for planning authorities and private institutions. Other potential employers include design offices and other design service providers, real estate management companies and professional and higher education institutions (in the field of research and teaching). Architects are also consulted for planning, design and technical advice on various types of construction projects. A master's degree also offers the possibility of an academic career in science and research and also lays the foundations for a subsequent doctorate.
Program Curriculum
• Design Project 1 (12 CP)
• Design Specialization (2 CP)
• Building and Structure (4 CP)
• Designing, History, Art and Theory module (4 CP)
• Specialization module (4 CP)
• Impromptu Designs (4 CP)
• Design Project: Urban Planning 1 (12 CP)
• Urban Design Specialization (2 CP)
• Lecture Series (4 CP)
• Urban and Landscape Planning module (4 CP)
• Specialization modules (2 × 4 CP)
• Design Project 2 (12 CP)
• Free Design Specialization (2 CP)
• Specialization module (4 CP)
• Interdisciplinary Qualifications (4 CP)
• Seminar week (2 CP)
• Research Seminar or Independent Student Research Project (4 CP)
• Preparation Master's thesis (2 CP)
• Master's thesis (30 CP)
Admission Requirements
The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Architecture are based on the current admission regulations:
• bachelor's degree
a Bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Architecture (or a program with essentially the same content) from a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or a foreign university. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the following areas
Design (60 CP), including an urban planning project to the extent of at least 10 CP
Building Technology (30 CP)
Theoretical and Historical Foundations (20 CP)
Design and Presentation (20 CP)
Urban and Landscape Planning (15 CP)
Important: applicants must assign the credits earned in the bachelor's degree program to the areas on a form provided for this purpose.
If minimum achievements amounting to a maximum of 30 CP are missing, admission may be granted on condition that these achievements are completed within the first three semesters of the master's degree program.
• Internship
A twelve-week full-time internship in an architectural office or in a building construction department of an office or a large company
If the internship is missing, admission may be granted on condition that it is completed by the start of the third semester of the master's degree program.
• Subject-specific study aptitude test (design and project portfolio / interview)
Successful participation in a subject-specific aptitude test in accordance with § 6 of the statutes for the university's own admission and selection procedure for the master's degree program in Architecture, consisting of a design and project portfolio with work samples and an additional obligatory interview, if 41 to 60 points were achieved in the portfolio
• Letter of motivation
a letter of motivation of no more than 500 words for the master's degree program in Architecture at KIT
• Design (60 CP), including an urban planning project to the extent of at least 10 CP
• Building Technology (30 CP)
• Theoretical and Historical Foundations (20 CP)
• Design and Presentation (20 CP)
• Urban and Landscape Planning (15 CP)
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
No tuition fees (German public university — see fee_details)
Semester contribution ~€235 covers public transport (KVV) and student union services.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
No tuition fees at KIT (German public university). Semester contribution of approx. €235 covers public transport and student services. Funding available via DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, Baden-Württemberg Stipendium, and KIT internal scholarships.
About Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karlsruhe, Germany
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of Germany's leading public research universities and among Europe's most prestigious institutions for science, engineering, and technology....
University Profile- Application Deadline EU/German nationals: July 15 | Non-EU nationals: July 15
- Language German
- Duration 4 semesters
- Credits 120 ECTS
