Master Architecture

Training in the Master's programme in Architecture ties in with the contents and learning objectives of the Bachelor's programme. Design theory is deepened to enable you to solve more complex design tasks constructively and creatively as well as to develop new answers independently. The context of design, technical and urban planning can be applied in a broader and deeper form than in the Bachelor's programme. Elective classes let you deepen your personal focus to prepare for a possible specialisation in professional practice or to simply expand your educational horizon. The Master's programme in Architecture will support you to become a pillar of future building culture and architecture.

In an ever changing understanding of architecture, the future generations of architects can independently develop new paths and take responsibility for the design of the built environment. Society’s new demands also require new positions towards the architectural profession and a renewed legitimacy. We strengthen the reflection on one's own activity and the ability to discuss, experiment and dare new paths. Besides imparting knowledge, the Master's programme in Architecture is also recognised as a place offering ‘spaces of possibility’. In addition to promoting reflection, discussion and experimentation, there is also the chance of advancing into areas only indirectly related to the professional field.

All the best student works can still be seen in the digital collection: bestof.hft-stuttgart.de
Have fun discovering!

At the heart of the Master's programme are three design projects, which are worked on in the three semesters preceding the Master's thesis and in which students can focus on one of three areas to chose from. Seminars in the draft courses will accompany these areas of interest. In addition, there are in-depth courses in 5 subject areas draft and design, draft and technology, law and project management, theory and architectural discourse, foreign languages and key qualifications). Two-thirds of the focus subjects can be chosen freely and also across faculties. One third of the focus subjects is predetermined each semester.

The Master's programme in Architecture has a standard duration of 4 semesters. It is divided into 3 university semesters and the final semester with the Master Thesis.

How is architectural training at the HFT Stuttgart different from studying at another university? There are many similarities, but we consider some topics of particular importance – showing some outstanding features in our programme.

A university degree is more than just job training. Especially for the occupation as an architect, it is essential to acquire a broad general knowledge, a rich cultural background and the ability to reflect critically during the course of the programme. This will let you to act in a forward-looking and creative manner in regard to a complex field of action. Despite this deliberately broad view, our students are also prepared for a smooth transition into professional life, which is why we place great value on the practical relevance of our courses.

The architect is still the generalist among planners. One of their central tasks is to consider the multitude of functional, social, technical and design requirements and to bring them together sensibly in a design. The possibility to work on constructive and energy related questions in an interdisciplinary way, will help train the necessary path of thinking already during the studies. Every year, an interdisciplinary design project is offered in the ClimateEngineering course.

Most of the professors teaching are actively working in the field, running renowned architectural and engineering offices. Consequently they are constantly facing the current issues of planning and construction and so can impart this experience directly into their teaching.

You have the opportunity to study one semester at one of our partner universities worldwide. The international office supports you in preparing for your stay abroad.

A list of possible partner universities can be found on the homepage of the International Office:
https://www.hft-stuttgart.com/studies/international/partnerhochschulen

Please refer to the list to find out which partner universities are suitable for architecture.

Foreign representative
Prof. Harald Roser
Telephone: +49 (0) 711 8926 2627
Fax: +49 (0) 711 8926 2594
harald.roser@hft-stuttgart.de
Room 8/1.01

Requirements / Documents (excerpt). All documents must be submitted online. 

• Certificate of the previous degree with a result of at least 2.8
• If no final certificate is available yet: grade sheet of all examinations required in the first degree course, issued by the respective examination office
  Previous degree: Bachelor of Architecture (University of Applied Science/University) or equivalent with at least 180 credit points according to ECTS,
  Diploma in Architecture (University of Applied Sciences/University), university degrees of related programmes will be recognised if necessary, after equivalence of the course contents is proven.
• University qualification (secondary school diploma)
• Tabular curriculum vitae with photo (please integrate as first page in the portfolio)
• Portfolio (maximum 10 MB) with meaningful, own work from studies and practice
• Proof of at least 12 weeks’ practice in an architectural office after graduating from the previous programme. Practical semesters at universities of applied sciences (HAW) or universities of applied sciences, supervised practical study projects or similar can be credited. 
  
  For foreign applicants additionally:
• Proof of German language skills (DSH at least level 2, TestDaF average 4.0, Goethe Institute language diplomas or other equivalent German language examinations). 
• Certificate from the ASK for the recognition of the acquired educational certificates from the country of origin as well as authenticated certificates in German language. This link will take you to ASK.

You can find complete information on the application process by clicking on this link.
There you will find additional information on all the required documents and on the selection and admission procedure. Only complete applications submitted by the deadline can be considered.

Application Interview
During the selection procedure you may be invited to an application interview at the university. The application interviews will take place on Tuesday, 23 July and Thursday, 25 July.
Please note: Invitations will be sent by email approx. 4-5 days after the application deadline.

Application Deadline

• 15 January annually for the summer semester – we recommend that applicants of related programmes and applicants from abroad submit the documents by 01 December.
• 15 July annually for the winter semester – we recommend that applicants of related programmes and applicants from abroad submit their documents by 01 June

We are looking forward to your application and wish you all the best!

Application to a higher semester (2nd + 3rd semester)
Information on applying for a higher semester or changing university/course of study can be found here: change-of-university-course-of-study

The Master's programme in Architecture qualifies graduates for senior positions in architecture and planning offices, but also for professional fields in the public and private sector of client representation, for example at building authorities and building departments. In addition, the programme should entitle students to complete a legal traineeship in order to enter the higher service. Finally, graduates can also gain further qualifications by completing a doctorate.

The profession of architect is protected in many countries and may only be practised with the appropriate proven qualifications. In Germany this is regulated by the states’ respective laws. The Master's programme in Architecture, with 4 standard semesters, builds on to the Bachelor's programme in Architecture, offered at the HFT with a standard duration of 6 semesters. After completion of the Master's programme, this adds up to 10 semesters in total, which entitles the student to be registered with the Architektenkammer, Germany’s professional body. They generally require at least 8 semesters completed. In accordance with the Architektenkammer’s regulations, an AiP (Architect in Internship) can be started eventually resulting in enlistment in the roll of architects.

The degree ‘Master of Arts’ of the consecutive Bachelor-Master programme in Architecture at the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences has been ratified at the European Commission since August 2016. As a result, all graduates with this degree are now entitled to the recognition of their professional qualifications in all 27 member states of the European Union. This also applies retroactively to all graduates since the introduction of the Bachelor-Master programme in the 2005 summer semester, eliminating the previous recognition procedure with its time-consuming case-by-case examination and high processing fees.

The Charter for the Education of Architects by UNESCO and UIA (Union Internationale des Architectes) not only specifies what content should be included in an architectural degree programme, but also that it should comprise at least 10 academic semesters of full-time study. For students who want their studies to meet the UIA criteria, a priority should therefore be to complete their fifth semester abroad at one of our partner universities (Supervised Practical Study Project) instead of an office internship. This is regarded as an academic semester conforming to UIA. With the Bachelor's and Master's programme at the HFT a total of ten semesters can be certified.

The diploma supplement, an appendix to the diploma, verifies these facts in a way reproducible by potential employers.

The programme is accredited by the Akkreditierungsagentur für Studiengänge der Ingenieurwissenschaften, der Informatik, der Naturwissenschaften und der Mathematik e.V. (ASIIN— Accreditation Agency for Study Programmes in Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Mathematics).