Studying in any foreign country takes a lot of planning and preparation especially when it’s outside your continent and they don’t speak your first language. The same applies here in Germany, you need to ask yourself how you’ll finance your education and cost of living, how good your German is, do they teach in English on your program, whether it is a combination of English and German or totally English, do they accept international students?
Answers to these questions will help to align your ambition to proper management which will increase your chances of succeeding with less burden. Germany is one of the countries known for their cutting-edge designs, and world-class education.
There are a handful of architecture universities in Germany for international students that have proven to not only provide excellent education but are also very affordable. Moreover, you can still explore some of the best architecture universities in the world, or even some very affordable architecture schools in the US perhaps one of them might suit your interests and goals.
Let’s get started with these schools.
Architecture Universities in Germany for International Students
If you’re an aspiring architecture student or already a student looking for a place for both quality and affordable education, then Germany should be one of your best priorities.
1. Technical University of Munich
| Germany, the European Economic Area (EEA), and European Union (EU) Students | Free |
| Country outside the EEA, EU, or Switzerland | Average of €2,000 or €3,000 for Bachelor’s programs and €4,000 or €6,000 for Master’s programs |
TUM welcomes both degree-seeking architecture international and exchange students. Their 4-year Bachelor of Arts in Architecture will be focusing on Architectural Design and it’s taught totally in German.
Their Master of Art in Architecture is also taught totally in German whereas their Landscape Architecture (M.A) is a combination of both English and German. Where you’ll have hands-on experience in combining different methods in space-oriented design activities to address complex challenges of current and future open space planning and landscape development.
2. RWTH Aachen University
| Germany, the EEA, and EU Students | Free |
| Country outside the EEA, EU, or Switzerland | Free for all |
As you can see RWTH Aachen University is not just among the architecture universities in Germany for international students but also provides their programs for free. The school offers a 6-semester B.Sc. in Architecture which gives students a foundational understanding of architecture that will easily help them to advance to the 4-semester M.Sc. in Architecture and Urban Planning.
All of these Programmes are taught in German.
3. University of Stuttgart
| Tuition fees for a second-degree | €1,300 per academic year |
| International students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA country | €3,000 per academic year |
At the Department of Architecture at the University of Stuttgart, you will be learning important subjects like construction, urban design and planning, presentation and design, etc., from the foundational stage which is taught basically at the bachelor’s level to the advanced stage taught at the master’s level.
All their architecture programs are also taught in German.
4. Technische Universität Berlin
| Germany, the EEA, and EU Students | Free |
| International students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA country | No tuition fees, only exceptions to continuing education master’s programs |
Similar to other architecture universities in Germany for international students we have listed, Technische Universität Berlin welcomes lots of foreign students where out of more than 33,000 students over 9,000 are international students.
You can either choose between their B.Sc in Architecture or Landscape Architecture, M.Sc in Architecture or Landscape Architecture which are all taught completely in German.
5. University of Karlsruhe
| Students of EU/EEA citizenship | Free |
| International students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA country | €3,000 per academic year |
International students’ first semester for both Architecture Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Architecture Master of Science (M.Sc.) usually begins on July 15 while the summer term begins on January 15. Even though German is the language of instruction, proficiency in English will be required.
6. Technical University of Darmstadt
| Germany, the EEA, and EU Students | Free |
| Country outside the EEA, EU | Free for all |
To be admitted for any of their architecture program whether bachelor’s or master’s, you must pass the “Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang” (DSH-2) as evidence that you’re proficient German language. At their M.Sc. in architecture, you’ll be focusing on two major subject areas; Structural Design and Urban Planning, and you’ll also undergo a 12-week internship.
7. University of Hannover
| International students outside the EEA, EU | €739 (M.Sc)€526 (B.Sc) |
This is among the architecture universities in Germany for international students that teach completely in German. Through their Architecture (B.Sc.) Programme, you’ll have a fundamental knowledge of the building trade, design, history of architecture, etc.
As you progress to Architecture (M.Sc.) you’ll have a more depth knowledge and practical experience of planning and construction of buildings, urban ensembles, and spatial contexts in urban and rural areas, etc.
8. Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
| Germany, the EEA, and EU Students | Free |
| Country outside the EEA, EU | Free for all |
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is the only German university to offer a Master’s programme in MediaArchitecture where you’ll have an in-depth understanding of contemporary media- and architecture-related vocations. For those looking for an architect program that teaches completely in English, you should consider either their International MediaArchitecture Master Studies Double Degree Program (M.Sc.) or European Urban Studies (M.Sc.).
9. University of Kassel
| Germany, the EEA, and EU Students | Free |
| Country outside the EEA, EU | Free for all |
In the department of architecture at the University of Kassel, you’ll have the privilege to master three disciplines which are; Architecture, Urban Planning, and Landscape Planning. These disciplines are seen as the core programs that will be able to create sustainable architecture in our always-evolving world.
This journey will begin from your 3-year bachelor in Architecture program down to the 2-year master’s in Architecture which are all taught in German.
10. TU Dortmund University
| Germany, the EEA, and EU Students | Free |
| Country outside the EEA, EU | Free for all |
At TU Dortmund University you won’t only have a thorough understanding of subjects like design, drafting, and architectural representation you’ll also learn how to work together in an interdisciplinary team with the other stakeholders involved. At the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at TU Dortmund, architects and civil engineers are trained together in the Dortmund model.
Key Takeaway
The quality education, low cost of living, and free or affordable tuition have made Germany one of the hubs for international students aspiring for architectural programs. International students who are not proficient in German might not benefit from these schools, but that doesn’t mean there are no other programs that are taught entirely in English, it’s just that architecture is not one of them or it’s one of the least.