We choose the best architectural university abroad. Review of foreign architectural schools The most famous first architectural design educational institutions

We will assume that doubts and fears have been cast aside, and with varying degrees of firmness you have decided to study architectural skills abroad. Without pretending to be original, I would advise you to first decide on a course.Your decision will certainly be influenced by at what point in your life this thought occurred to you.

Roughly speaking, there are only three of them:

2) Upon receipt of a Bachelor's or Specialist's degree in a Russian architectural (and perhaps mathematical, engineering or even artistic) university.

3) Upon receipt of a Master's degree from one of the Russian universities.

These starting points will give you further coordinates for choosing a foreign institute.

  1. In the first case, you will have to be patient: despite Russia’s accession to the Bologna process (the process of creating a single European higher education space), foreign universities are still wary of our educational system.

Therefore, in most countries you will have to take preliminary courses lasting from 9 months to 2 years (depending on the chosen country). It is encouraging that the final exams of such courses are often equivalent to entrance exams to a university. You can bypass preparatory programs if you apply for admission after completing the first years of a Russian university. True, in this case, years of study at a Russian university most often do not count and “burn out.”

  1. In the second case, admission to the “zero” level does not stand up to criticism: despite all the cliches, Russian education is still worth a lot. During the first courses you will mark time, clearly surpassing your classmates in knowledge. So once you have some basic knowledge, consider a master's program. Please note that the admission process for master's programs is more personalized than for bachelor's programs. Sometimes work experience, recommendations are needed, and serious attention is paid to the personal qualities of the candidate. Bad news for Specialists: despite the whole year difference, most likely your diploma will be equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
  2. And finally, the most venerable and experienced architects with a Master's degree, seeking to get a powerful career lift, will be interested in Postgraduate programs or obtaining a PhD degree.

Having decided on the program, you will have to face the next challenge: choosing a country.

My advice: don't look for the easy way out!The best way to learn/improve a language is only in the native country! Cast aside your doubts and immerse yourself in the local flavor! Of course, do not forget to prepare the ground for maneuvers using the Internet or one of the agencies described above.

The second factor will be your architectural preferences. Try to become as close as possible to familiarize yourself with the architectural traditions of the countries that make up your shortlist and project them onto yourself. No matter how much Western education officials strive to fit everything to one standard, each country has its own style and special national features in construction. They will undoubtedly find a response in the curriculum of local architecture schools. It is therefore important that the characteristic features of the local architectural heritage harmonize with your sense of style.

As you might guess, the third factor will be your material well-being. It will not be superfluous to apply for a grant or scholarship. Oddly enough, the most important thing in receiving a grant will be a correctly completed set of documents. Therefore, you need to start preparing in advance, one and a half to two years before the start of training.

The same applies to formal requirements for the university admission process. You will be required to provide a copy of your higher education diploma, an appendix to it, a transcript - an academic certificate of all disciplines completed at school (or university) with grades; CV (resume), where you will need to indicate your contacts, education, achievements, work experience (if any), knowledge of foreign languages ​​and other documents. Sometimes you also need to write a cover letter, in which you need to answer the question: why do I want to study at this particular university, and collect 1-2 letters of recommendation. You can find a complete list of documents on the website of the selected university.

Review of foreign higher educational institutions / ARCHITECTURE

SchoolArchitectureArchitecturalAssociations, England(Architectural Association School of Architecture)

Legendary architectural school, the undisputed leader in ratings.

More than 90% of both students and teaching staff are foreigners. Among the graduates are such masters as Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, Daniel Libeskindand, Richard Rogers, who taught there at different times. The program is presented as “full-fledged” educational programs (5-year programs with a diploma and assignment of the specialty “architect” according to ARB/RIBA, as well as master’s programs (Master of Arts and Master of Science - in a year or Master of Architecture - in 16 months)), and post-graduate programs lasting a year in 11 areas.

Due to the popularity of universities, the administration is quite demanding of applicants: good knowledge of the language (IELTS (Academic) with an average score of 6.5 or 90 TOEFL points), portfolio, interview and, of course, solvency.

The average cost of a year of study is 16 thousand pounds; scholarships and grants are available for gifted students.

To top it off, it should be noted that in addition to the educational process itself, the school regularly organizes exhibitions and open lectures, and also has its own publishing house, AA Publications, and one of the best architectural bookstores, AA bookshop.

SchoolArchitectureColumbianuniversity, USA(Columbia's Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation)


Another monster of architectural education, Columbia's Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation (GSAPP), has been training specialists since 1881.

As the name suggests, the school is a division of Columbia University in New York, which is part of the Ivy League and widely known outside the United States.

The school of architecture at the university is in no way inferior to its alma mater in terms of eminence: annually it ranks in the top 5 rankings of such respected resources as ArchitectMagazine, DesignIntelligence and ArchDaily.com. In addition, the yearbooks and teaching staff are simply teeming with the superstars of modern architecture: Peter Eisenmann, Frank O Gehry, Steven Holl, Greg Lynn and others. The school itself specializes in master's (7 areas lasting 2.5-3 years) programs and specialized courses (duration 2-3 months).

Thus, education at GSAPP will be of interest to already certified architects. Having decided to study here, you will have to worry about preparing documents in advance: applications for study are accepted until August of the year preceding the desired period of study, and only in the online form from the website.

In addition to the traditional diploma transcript, you will need 3 letters of recommendation, a portfolio, an essay (about 500 words on the topic of why you chose GSAPP), a non-refundable application fee of $75, as well as a TOEFL IBT with a minimum of 100 points. In addition to bureaucratic costs, you will have to face a serious financial selection: the average cost of a semester will be about $22,000 (plus student fees). Grants are available to US citizens only.

Faculty of Architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA (MassachusettsInstituteofTechnologyDepartmentofarchitecture)


It is difficult to suspect the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of an inferiority complex due to its proximity to the popular Harvard. The institute is rightfully considered a world leader in the field of science and technology, and the list of eminent graduates will compete with Harvard (among them Tony Stark - Iron Man). The same goes for MIT's School of Architecture, founded in 1868 and considered the world's first university architecture program.

The school offers a full cycle of education: bachelor's degree (4-year program The Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSA)), master's degree (the Master of Architecture (MArch) - 3.5 years, The Master of Science in Architecture Studies (SMArchS) - 2.5 years) and doctoral studies ( Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture (PhD) – minimum 2 years). There is the possibility of distance learning online.

The MIT School of Architecture has simply huge teaching areas, an extensive library and is equipped with the latest computer systems and technologies.

To apply for training, you must complete online registration, prepare a portfolio, TOEFL IBT with 100 points, or testing at the institute. Tuition traditionally costs a pretty penny for famous American universities: $20 thousand. per semester, but it is possible to receive a grant for training.

Technical University of Munich, Germany (Technische Universität München, TUM)

The university is part of the association of technical universities in Germany TU 9 and is the largest university in Bavaria.

The Faculty of Architecture at TUM is generally the only place in Bavaria where you can get a degree in Architecture.

The faculty has been awarded various prizes more than once: Deutscher Architekturpreis - national award in the field of architecture, Deutscher Städtebaupreis - national award in the field of urban planning, European Architecture + Technology Award, Mies-van-der-Rohe Prize, RIBA Award. According to the national agency DAAD, the faculty's program has been assigned a top rating - the highest on a four-point system.

The faculty offers both a bachelor's program (8 semesters, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) TUM, language of instruction - German) and a master's program (Master of Arts (M.A.) TUM - 4 semesters, language - German; Master of Science (M.Sc.) TUM – 4 semesters, language – German/English depending on the course) or doctoral program (6 semesters).

The cost is on average 500 euros per semester (plus student fees).

Bauhaus, Germany (Bauhaus-Universität Weimar)

Created during the heyday of the Bauhaus, the school building in Weimar is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Under the roof of the Bauhaus, outstanding architects, artists, and designers of the 20th century worked side by side, including Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Lionel Feininger. In addition to its historical past, the school is famous throughout the world for its modern and innovative educational program and prestigious diploma. A regular award winner, the university in Thuringia made a name for itself this year as well.

The educational process involves bachelor's (3 years), master's (2 years) and doctoral studies. Teaching at the Faculty of Architecture is exclusively in German, so a DSH-Prüfung certificate is required.

Traditionally for German schools: online registration and internal exam. A portfolio and interview are also provided. The cost will be about 500 euros per semester.

Technical University of Milan, Italy (Politecnico di Milano)


The university was founded on November 29, 1863 and is the oldest in Milan. In Italian, the term Politecnico means a university specializing exclusively in engineering and architecture.

The university is located on 7 main campuses, students of the Faculty of Architecture study in the main Leonardo Campus and the Piacenza Campus.

The bachelor's program in English provides 3 years and 2 directions: Architecture and Industrial Design.

The master's degree will take 2 years (6 directions), you can also enroll in doctoral studies.

To submit an application, you must fill out the online form, prepare a motivation letter, diploma transcript, resume and certificate of English proficiency (TOEFL IBT: 82, IELTS: 6).

Tuition fees start from 850 euros per year (depending on the grades in your diploma), but the institute provides a system of scholarships and grants (only for those entering the Leonardo Campus). In addition to education, the university has a graduate employment service - CareerService (80% of graduates find work within six months after graduation).

ETH Zurich, Switzerland (ETH Zurich-DARCH)


ETH Zurich was founded on October 16, 1855 and is the most prestigious university in Switzerland.

The school is recognized as the best university in continental Europe according to the Shanghai Ranking ARWU, the Times Higher Education Ranking and QS World University Ranking.

21 The Nobel Prize was awarded to graduates of the school, the most famous of whom was A. Einstein.

A bachelor's degree will take 3 years, including a 6-month internship, a master's degree will take 2 years. Knowledge of German must be confirmed by a DSH-3 certificate or equivalent, English - TOEFL IBT: 100, IELTS: 7, plus a package of documents from the site. Then the applicant faces entrance exams.

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts was founded in 1754 in the city of Copenhagen. In 1960, the School of Architecture, which was part of it, was transformed into an independent division and its diploma was equivalent to a university Master's degree.

At the moment, the school provides two types of training: a full-fledged Bachelor-Master educational program (3 years/2 years, respectively) and an exclusively master’s program. In the first case, training takes place in Danish, so you will have to undergo a mandatory state exam.

In the second case, knowledge of English will be required at the level of TOEFL internetbased - 80, IELTS - 6.0, small groups are recruited (no more than 10 people), training in two directions - Architecture in Urban Context and Design in Architectural Contexts.

The cost of education will be 5,000 euros per semester.

In conclusion, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that almost all of the listed schools hold “Open Days”.

Show independence and patience, and you will certainly find a university to your liking.

Material prepared by Sergey Titov

The development of engineering plans and drawings, the implementation of grandiose construction projects, the completion of the created object and its delivery to the customer - all this is the area of ​​professional activity of architects. In this article we will list the famous and most popular architectural universities in Russia among applicants, and with this we will answer the question of where to go for a graduate who wants to bring beauty into this world on a large scale.

MARCHI

This abbreviation stands for Moscow Architectural Institute, sometimes also called the State Academy. This history of which goes back more than two and a half centuries (despite the founding date of the institute itself in 1933 by a decision of the Politburo, in fact, it was the continuer of the traditions of the first specialized Moscow architectural school, established back in 1749), is a leader in graduating specialists in the field of architecture and construction. To be more precise, professionals in the field of reconstruction, restoration, and architectural design are trained here. The state academy itself was accredited by the world-famous organization RIBA, or the Royal Institute of Architects of Great Britain. Like some other architectural universities in Russia, MARCHI offers young people a deferment from the army that is relevant for them, and also, without exception, provides dormitory housing to all students in need. Within the walls of the institute you can obtain a state diploma in the following departments:

  • engineering and technical;
  • architectural design;
  • visual arts;
  • humanitarian education.

And for the following specialties, divided into separate profiles:

  • Design of Architectural Environment;
  • urban planning;
  • architecture.

Admission conditions and reviews about MARCHI

It is not easy for a school graduate to enroll here: for free education on a budgetary basis, you must provide the results of the Unified State Examination with an average score exceeding 74-76 units for 1 subject. In order to study on a commercial basis, you need to pass the Unified State Exam with an average score of 70-71 points, but enrollment also occurs with lower scores. In this case, you will have to pay up to 206,000 rubles per semester. The Institute is located at the address: Moscow, st. Rozhdestvenka, 11/4, building 1, page 4. Judging by the feedback from the user audience, spatial thinking is developing especially well at Moscow Architectural Institute. But according to those who have graduated, more work needs to be done on instilling in students the practical skills they need in the profession.

Architectural universities of Russia: MGSU

The full name of this educational institution is National Research University, which was established in 1921. Today, the university positions itself as a research center that, in addition to testing construction technologies and materials to improve the process of construction and operation of bridges, houses and communications, also produces first-class specialists from its doors. The university offers full-time, part-time and distance learning in the following institutes:

  • fundamental education;
  • mechanization and engineering-ecological construction;
  • architecture and construction;
  • energy and hydraulic engineering construction;
  • management, economics and information systems in real estate and construction;
  • at the branch of MGSU in Mytishchi.

Among other architectural universities in Russia, this research university stands out in that it offers students a wide range and choice of specialties, namely:

  • architecture;
  • management;
  • information technologies and systems;
  • communal infrastructure and housing;
  • metrology and standardization;
  • technosphere safety;
  • Applied Mathematics;
  • restoration of architectural heritage;
  • applied mechanics and many others.

The average Unified State Exam score for admission to MGSU must exceed 64 points. If it is not possible to get into a budget place with these or lower indicators, you will need to pay about 165,000 rubles or more for 1 semester for studying on a commercial basis. MGSU also offers students a dormitory.

SPbGASU

This, at first glance, complex encryption hides the name of the St. Petersburg architectural university in Russia. It is impossible to imagine without this educational institution: founded back in 1832, the university today does not lose its relevance and popularity among applicants. This educational institution, classified as a state one, offers applicants both budget places, a dormitory, and 3 standard forms of education for the convenience of everyone (day, evening, correspondence), and the opportunity to choose a direction in the institutes:

  • professional retraining of specialists and advanced training;
  • construction and technical expertise;
  • road safety;
  • inspection and design of buildings, building structures and structures.

The university also operates faculties:

  • law and forensic examinations in transport and construction;
  • building;
  • architectural;
  • automobile and road;
  • urban management and environmental engineering;
  • continuous forms of education;
  • economics and Management.

An applicant can attend SPbGASU on a budgetary basis if each of his exam results exceeds 68.8 units (depending on the chosen specialty and the competition for applicants, this figure may vary). Otherwise, to receive education on a commercial basis you will need to pay from 84,000 rubles per semester (prices vary for different faculties).

SGASU

Next, Russian universities invite us to Samara, where at the address st. Molodogvardeyskaya, 194, Samara State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering is located. This educational institution for higher education was founded in the 30th year of the last century. Today it is a reputable university not only in the city (8th place in the list of city universities), but also in the country (347th place in the all-Russian top list). The main profile is the field of training of certified architects and builders in the following specialties:

  • environmental management and technosphere safety;
  • management of technical systems;
  • construction technologies and techniques;
  • computer technology and information science;
  • fine and applied arts;
  • architecture;
  • economics and Management.

SGASU in figures and facts

Today the university has over 5 thousand students. It will not be difficult to enter here if the average score for 1 subject passed exceeds 64 units. The average cost of training ranges from 42 to 88 thousand rubles. SGASU is accredited and licensed and offers boys and girls the opportunity to live in a dormitory. The university also has a branch in the city of Belebey (Republic of Bashkortostan).

SIBSTRIN

One of the best architectural universities in Russia is located in Novosibirsk - this is the Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, founded in 1930. The average passing score on the Unified State Examination is about 60.1 units. The following faculties operate at the university:

  • architectural and construction;
  • engineering and environmental;
  • construction and technology;
  • 1st stage of higher education;
  • management and economics;
  • humanitarian education;
  • distance learning and branches;
  • information and engineering technologies;
  • on working with students - citizens of foreign countries.

Architecture and civil engineering universities in Russia: list of additional institutions

The above institutes and universities (by the way, all of them, importantly, belong to the state category) are not the only places to receive specialized education in the field of construction engineering. The list of architectural universities in Russia is much larger, and the choice of applicants is much richer. For example, you can also focus on the Penza State University of Architecture and Construction, Voronezh, Tyumen, Tomsk, Kazan or Nizhny Novgorod State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering and many others. It becomes obvious that educational institutions that prepare graduates in the construction and architectural fields today are based not only in the capital or large cities, which means that young people and girls from all over the country can study their favorite work.

Study, study and study again. Don't know where? Prointerno has compiled a list of the best architecture schools to help (future) students find the right university and go abroad.

School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)

It is not so easy to enter the most prestigious university in the United States - they say that on average out of 20 applicants only one becomes a student. The university produces both outstanding theoretical scientists and brilliant engineers - it is not without reason that its motto reads Mens et Manus (“With Head and Hands”). The Faculty of Architecture is known for its strong curriculum - by the way, it was recently digitized and made publicly available.

School graduates, bachelors and specialists who want to continue their studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology must provide a certificate (or diploma), write three essays, pass several tests and pass an interview. Annual tuition here costs about $40,000 - but there is the opportunity to receive a grant (and each student is provided with a room in a dormitory). By the way, the beaver was chosen as the symbol of the university, because it is called “an engineer by nature.”

School of Architecture of the Architectural Association (England)

The good old school in good old England offers 11 educational programs in different areas - the cost depends on the chosen course (but both grants and scholarships are provided). Oddly enough, the AA School is rarely included in lists of the best universities - although it was founded in 1847, and among its graduates there are such “stars” of architecture as Zaha Hadid and David Chipperfield. The school is housed in several historic Georgian buildings, and the institution is no stranger to innovative approaches to teaching.


Bartlett School of Architecture (England)

One of the leading architecture schools in England (along with the AA School) stands out for its demandingness towards students - but it must be admitted that none of the students are in a hurry to complain. Bartlett is under the auspices of renowned architecture firm Fosters & Partners, which provides materials and equipment for the annual exhibition. Students have a good reason to take part in this event (and try hard) - after all, the authors of the best works will get an internship with Norman Foster himself.


University of Delft (Holland)

Each of the universities on our list by default deserves the definition of “one of the best,” but Delft University of Technology is called the best among European architecture schools. While English is sufficient for master's studies, postgraduate studies require students to speak Dutch. Annual training here is relatively inexpensive - about €10,000.


Bauhaus University (Germany)

Germany is justifiably considered the European center of free education - for example, studying at the Bauhaus will not cost a single €. The glorious past of the university, where even Wassily Kandinsky worked, has given way to an equally glorious present - the academic community recognizes the authority of the university.

The best architectural universities in the UK train top-class specialists

It is believed that the best architectural universities are those that have the highest scores on criteria such as difficulty for admission, as well as cost and duration of study. But are these factors really that important?


We have prepared our list of the best British educational institutions in this field based on the originality of the projects created by their graduates and the innovativeness of the teaching approach.

1. Architectural Association School of Architecture

This educational institution beat out the Bartlett School of Architecture for first place on our list. Some may think that this is just a cliché or too obvious a solution, but - let's be honest - AA is indeed one of the most unique specialized universities in the world. Here they actively research materials, test new digital approaches and take non-standard themes as the basis for projects.

Overall, if your goal is to unlock your potential and go beyond conventional architectural paradigms, you won't find a better source of knowledge. In addition, AA conducts seminars, both home and away, the participation of which will be useful even for experienced specialists, because this is the best way to learn new techniques and approaches.

2. The Bartlett School of Architecture

Bartlett teaches her students to find their own ways of expressing themselves. It is the birthplace of new architectural styles and innovative ideas. The work of the famous Architectural Research Group (an association of young designers that existed from 1932 to 1935) had a serious influence on the activities of the institution, which today is famous for its interdisciplinary approach to projects, which guarantees them novelty and unconventionality.

There are many workshops on the school grounds that conduct classes for students from other specialized universities.

3. Royal College of Art

As the name suggests, this university has a more artistic approach to teaching, much in demand in the modern architectural scene. However, it would be a mistake to assume that all RCA developments are conceptual and divorced from life, because this institution unites under its roof some of the best workshops that focus on the physical modeling of objects.

They help students become familiar with different materials, which is a vital aspect in creating good design.

4. University of Sheffield

These days, every architect is forced to ask himself sooner or later the question: “Can I make a name for myself in this field without being a good entrepreneur?” The answer is yes, it is possible, but very difficult. That is why the University of Sheffield, in addition to traditional architectural courses, provides its students with classes in political science, political science and business technology.

And these are disciplines that future architects usually do not consider as important to them. This approach gives Sheffield graduates a distinct advantage over their peers and allows them to become self-sufficient rather than being dependent on big firms to make a name for themselves.

5. Cambridge University

Strictly adhering to certain principles in the teaching of architectural disciplines, the University of Cambridge focuses on the thesis that modern specialists tend to overlook such an important factor for design as the urban context.

Sustainable construction, manual labor and digital research are concepts to which the institution attaches great importance, and at the same time universal multi-stage teaching methods are practiced here.

6. London Metropolitan University

This university uses unique teaching technologies to develop students’ professional skills. For those for whom it is important to learn how to create projects based on in-depth research, we recommend the Faculty of Arts of Architecture and Design. Sir John Cass as the school of choice for future fans of their craft.

7. Glasgow School of Art

Famed for its student-to-student magazine MacMag, Glasgow School of Art's architecture department communicates its views through a range of teaching projects, from the very real, site-based to the conceptual competition. The approach varies and develops in different directions.

8. Kingston University

With a hands-on approach expressed in the motto "Thinking as You Create", Kingston University is an institution that promotes the importance of handcraft as it offers slightly different ways of exploring form and materials than digital modelling.

In conclusion, we will say that all these schools at one time became the alma mater for many architects, whom today we call, if not great, then certainly talented. Therefore, whichever one you prefer, your choice will be correct.

(1 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)

In 2017, the British consulting company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) conducted a global study of the best architectural universities in the world. The top 20 included European universities in England, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy.

This university tops the ranking of architectural universities in Europe. It is located in the Netherlands and is the oldest technical university in the country. The university is part of the association of five technical universities in Europe (IDEA League), which aims to bring European science and technology to the world's top.


2. ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is a university that is considered the most prestigious in Switzerland, and is also famous for the quality of education throughout the world. The Faculty of Architecture produces highly qualified specialists.

ETH Zurich gave the world such brilliant architects as: Santiago Calatrava, who has more than 30 famous landmarks of world scale, Ilya Bondarenko, a leading architect of temple construction, and others.


The Manchester School of Architecture is a separate educational institution within the University of Manchester and Metropolitan University. Students of the School of Architecture have the opportunity to use the resources of both universities.

Not only famous English architects, but also world geniuses are invited to conduct various types of research.

This university is in second place in England (after Oxford), which specializes in training in various areas, but architects with a Cambridge diploma of higher education are especially valued.

Moreover, the university itself has an exquisite architectural style. The chapel on the territory of the university is considered the best example of English Gothic architecture.


And the Technical University of Milan closes the top 5 best architectural universities in Europe.

They are popular all over the world. They attract foreigners with their affordable prices, high level of education and centuries-old history. World famous architects studied at the University of Milan: Gio Ponti, Renzo Piano, Aldo Rossi, Achille Castiglioni and others.