Master Architecture

The Master’s programme in Architecture builds on the content and learning objectives of the Bachelor’s programme. You will develop your design skills in greater depth, enabling you to solve complex design challenges from both a structural and creative perspective and to develop new solutions independently. 

Compared to the Bachelor’s programme, design, technical and urban planning concepts can be applied in a more comprehensive and in-depth manner. Through optional modules, you can choose your own areas of specialisation, which will prepare you for potential specialisations in your future professional practice or simply broaden your educational horizons. The Master’s programme in Architecture nurtures you as a future steward of building culture and architecture.

The next generation of architects can forge their own paths within an ever-evolving understanding of architecture and take responsibility for shaping the built environment. New societal demands also call for new approaches to architectural practice or a renewed justification for it. We encourage reflection on one’s own work and the ability to engage in discussion, experiment and take risks in exploring new avenues. 

The Master’s programme in Architecture is seen not only as a means of imparting knowledge but also as a space that offers ‘opportunities’. In addition to encouraging reflection, discussion and experimentation, it provides the opportunity to explore areas that are only indirectly related to the professional field.

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.

In addition to the similarities that are undoubtedly present, there are certain aspects that are particularly important to us – and which are therefore reflected in some of the distinctive features of 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

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 degree programme is accredited by the Accreditation Agency for Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Mathematics (ASIIN).

New study regulations will come into force from the coming winter semester 2026/27. All students starting at HFT from the winter semester 2026/27 onwards will begin under the new study regulations. All students already enrolled will continue under SPO192 until they have completed their studies.
Further information and the new study regulations will follow shortly.