Germany is one of the world’s choicest destinations for higher education, especially for international students. Their schools of engineering and architecture rank among the best in the world, and students who aspire to become architects have a wide array of programs, courses and universities in to choose from.
At After School Africa, we recognize your need for quality information to guide your educational decisions. In this post, we have gone the the extra mile to provide you with quality and updated information about the top 10 German universities to study Architecture.
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If you are an intending student, or you know somebody who dreams of becoming an Architect in future, this piece of information will do you and them a world of good!
This list contains the current best universities for studying Architecture in Germany in 2020. It was compiled using a set of criteria to get the best results, based on the ZEIT online university ranking mechanism.
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Criteria for selection of universities include:
- Infrastructure: Architecture and Engineering studies require intense use of specialized infrastructure to aid learning. Thus, students across schools offering Architecture as a program assessed the quality of architecture at their schools, as well as their accessibility and relevance for studies.
- Quality of student services: These services include (but are not limited to): compulsory internships/practica, study abroad programs, staff-student ratio, career counselling services and student support network.
- International outlook: The best universities with high population of international students were short-listed.
- Quality of job market preparation: Students across several universities evaluated all the programs offered by their individual universities and departments, in a bid to promote their relevance to the demands of the job market and industries. They also evaluated individual courses and programs.
- Student accommodation: If you did not know, many students struggle with accommodation in German universities, especially those who are international students. Thus, the universities with the best accommodation options and arrangements for students were assessed.
Having established the criteria, here are the top ten German universities to study Architecture in 2020.
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technical University of Munich
- ABK Stuttgart
- University of Stuttgart
- Bauhaus University Weimar
- Technical University Dresden
- Technical University Dortmund
- Leibniz University Hannover
- Brandenburg University of Technology
- University of Wuppertal
- RWTH Aachen University
The faculty of Architecture at Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen is undoubtedly the best in Germany and one of the best in Europe. As per the current Times World University Rankings for Architecture, RWTH Aachen ranks 1st in Germany and 53rd in the world. The infrastructure at the faculty is second to none in Germany, and its faculty consists of some of the brightest minds in Architecture in all of Europe. The faculty of Architecture is housed in an ancient museum building. It comprises of 22 chairs, and the standard of education is very high. With only around 1,500 students presently enrolled at the faculty of Architecture, it is easy to see that the school prioritizes quality over quantity.
Find more information about the university and the programs here: www.rwth-aachten.de
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)
There is no where quality universities in any field are mentioned that one would not find the Technical University of Munich. This university is by far one of the most popular universities in Germany, and the standard of excellence is very high. The department of Architecture at TUM is located in a remote Bavarian region, standing alone as an exclusive campus of the university and being the only higher education institution in that region. The faculty boasts of an academic staff strength of 170 professionals in the field of Architecture, presently grooming and tutoring some 1,200 students. One of the reasons why TUM is a students’ favourite is due to the quality of student support services they offer their students, even after graduation.
The university has won a number of merit awards in Architecture such as:
Deutscher Städtebaupreis – German Urban Planning Prize
Deutscher Architekturpreis – German Prize for Architecture
Mies-van-der-Rohe Prize
European Architecture + Technology Award
RIBA Award
More information about programs and requirements can be found at: www.tum.de.
- Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart (ABK Stuttgart)
Established in 1761, Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart (also referred to as the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design) is known for academic excellence in architecture, fine arts, design and construction. It is known to have one of the smallest student populations in the whole of Germany, with a population of 850 persons. However, what they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. The small number of students allows for intensive tutoring and mentoring, which is ideally to be expected at a specialized university like this.
More information about this university can be found at: www.abk-stuttgart.de
- University of Stuttgart
Stuttgart is one of Germany’s renown universities in the field of Architecture, Engineering and Design. It consists of several departments and professional academic staff, both local and international. The faculty of Architecture at the University has trained world class architects since its inception in the 19th century. Recently a department of Urban Planning was introduced into the programs offered, in order to meet the ever-changing demands of the 21st century work place and cities. There is perhaps no better place to get a contemporary outlook to Architecture than Stuttgart University.
Find more information about the university and programs at: www.uni-stuttgart.de
- Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
One of the most striking features about this university is the wide international network of partners that facilitate student-exchange programs and industry exposure for enrolled students. The university offers rich, interdisciplinary teaching in design and construction, aided by the combined faculties of Architecture, Art and Design, Civil Engineering and Media. Students in this faculty are trained to not only design buildings and edifices, but also on how to break into new or existing markets, follow new leads and achieve dominance in the industry, irrespective of the conditions of the industry or market. Certainly a great option for ambitious students.
Further information about this university may be found here: www.uni-weimar.de
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- Technical University Dresden
If there is any university that places massive emphasis on practical learning sessions, problem-based learning and research, then it is the Technical University Dresden. They also invest heavily in excursions, field trips and study-exchange programs to enable students get relevant industry experience. One of the most distinguishing features about this university’s faculty of Architecture is the way they integrate Architecture into Landscape. Several other related aspects including art, design, and topographical elements of Architecture are also taught students, giving them a holistic and essential education in Architecture.
Find more information about this program and others here: www.tu-dresden.de
- Technical University Dortmund
TU Dortmund has one of the highest populations of international students in Germany today, with an international student population of 3,200 from 100 nations. This is perhaps due to the high quality of education offered, as well as the quality of infrastructure that is available. Since its inception in 1968, the Technical University Dortmund has offered a unique and innovative approach to education, involving a perfectly-blended combination of technology and nature. Little wonder, several graduates of Architecture and other programs from this university are currently leaders and captains of industries in Germany and around the world.
More details about this program and others at the Technical University Dortmund can be found here: www.tu-dortmund.de
- Leibniz University Hannover
Leibniz University Hannover was recently named the ‘fastest-growing university in Germany’, and it’s easy to see why. In a short space of time, the university’s school population grew from 64 persons at inception to more than 22,000 at the moment. The population explosion was in part due to the high quality of education offered, flexible study options and variety of programs across several faculties. The faculty of Architecture at Hannover university is the only one in Germany that offers programs and research work in environmental planning and landscape architecture.
Find out more information here: www.uni-hannover.de
- Brandenburg University of Technology (BUT)
Brandenburg University of Technology is one of Germany’s youngest and smallest universities, with an estimated student population of just 9,000 persons. However, the advantage BUT enjoys with this relatively low population is that there is a close-knit relationship between lecturers, professors and staff, and the students. If you love for your professors and lecturers to call you by name and know you personally, then this university might be a great option for you. Furthermore, there is also a sizeable number of international students studying there. Since 2002, the faculty of Architecture at BUT has offered ZEFA-accredited Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in Architecture, and was later authorised as a program offered by the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture, Brandenburg.
Click www.b-tu.de/en for more information about the university and programs.
- University of Wuppertal
This university has one of the most urbanized campuses among all universities in Germany. It is situated right in the heart of a metropolitan city, and offers every element required for a vibrant, youth-friendly education. The department of Architecture are known for focusing on ground-breaking research and innovations, as well as a wide range of program options to suit the needs of students. More information about the University of Wuppertal can be found at: www.uni-wuppertal.de
There you have it. The top ten German universities for studying Architecture. Which of them are you most interested in? Tell us in the comment section below!
