Masters of Architecture in Germany: Best English-taught Programs, Universities, Cost, & Entry Requirements
According to Higher Education Compass (an information service provided by the HRK- German Rectors’ Conference), there are around 40 English-taught Master of Architecture (M.Arch) programs that international students can choose from. The application deadline for most of the Masters of Architecture in Germany programs lies between June-August (Winter Semester) and November-February (Summer Semester).
Some of the most popular German universities offering master’s degrees in Architecture include the Berlin University of Technology, Berlin International University of Applied Sciences, SRH University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg, and the Technical University of Munich.
A master’s of architecture is one of the popular programs to study in Germany. German technical universities are at the forefront of higher education. However, there are limited universities in Germany (less than 25) that teach the M.Arch program completely in English.
Germany is home to some of the world’s finest architectural firms like GMP, J. Mayer H, Behnisch Architekten, etc. Thus, it has plenty of employment opportunities for architects. Students can stay back in Germany (for up to 18 months) after their Masters of Architecture in Germany to look for internship/employment opportunities.
Master of Architecture in Germany: Highlights
| Program Name | Master’s of Architecture (M. Arch or MArch) |
| Degree type | Post-graduate- Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (M.Sc/MS), or Master of Engineering (M.Eng) |
| Number of English-taught programs | 40 (approx) |
| Average tuition fees for public universities | €700 to 10,000/year |
| Average tuition fees for private universities | €8,280 to 10,560/year |
| Basic admission requirements | Bachelor’s degree or diploma in architecture with overall 2.5+ GPA;
IELTS- 6.5, or TOEFL iBT-80 |
| Average salary of architects in Germany | €74,910/year (SalaryExpert) |
Popular German universities offering Master of Architecture programs in English
Universities in Germany offer three kinds of master’s degrees in architecture:
- Master of Arts (M.A. )
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Engineering (MEng)
They provide a range of specializations in architecture- from interior design and cultural heritage to urban planning and landscape architecture.
While there are a few public universities in Germany that offer master of architecture programs taught completely in English, they are really hard to get into because of limited seats and a high number of applicants. Therefore, many international students prefer private universities in Germany to pursue a master’s in architecture degree. These universities offer high-quality quality education for a slightly higher tuition cost compared to public universities.
Here is a list of popular architecture universities in Germany offering master’s courses in English.
| University Name | University Type | Specialization Offered | Duration of Degree |
| SRH University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg | Private | Architecture
International course |
1.5 years |
| Anhalt University of Applied Sciences | Public | Architectural and Cultural Heritage (M. A.) | 2 years |
| Anhalt University of Applied Sciences | Public | Architecture (DIA) (M. A.) | 2 years |
| Anhalt University of Applied Sciences | Public | Landscape Architecture | 2 years |
| Berlin University of Technology | Public | Architecture Typology | 2 years |
| Wismar University of Applied Sciences | Public | Architecture Lighting Design (M.A.) | 2 years |
| Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen (HfWU) | Public | International Master of Landscape Architecture (M.Eng.) | 1.5 years |
| Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences | Public | International Master of Landscape Architecture (M.Eng.) | 1.5 years |
| Städelschule | Public | Master of Arts in Architecture | 2 years |
| HafenCity University of Hamburg | Public | Resource Efficiency in Architecture and Planning (REAP) | 2 years |
| Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences | Public | Advanced Architecture – From Urban Design to Building Construction (MSc) | 2 years |
| University of Stuttgart | Public | Integrative Technology and Architectural Design Research (ITECH), (MSc) | 2 years |
| Berlin International University of Applied Sciences | Private | Interior Design / Interior Architecture | 2 years |
Cost of pursuing Master of Architecture in Germany
Tuition fees for M. Arch courses
Public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees as such; they levy a small enrollment or administrative fee. It pays for expenses like the student union, travel, and other costs. Any overseas student may be tempted to apply to public colleges, given their cheap tuition fees. But sadly, their acceptance rate is also low due to the limited number of seats. On the other hand, while private school tuition is more expensive than that of public schools, it is still considerably less than that of countries like the United States and Canada. Additionally, private institutions have a reputation for providing foreign exposure through participation in a number of mobility programs, a range of scholarships, and personalized attention.
| University Name | Tuition Fees in €/year | Tuition Fees in $/year |
| SRH University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg | 8,280 | 8,520 |
| Anhalt University of Applied Sciences | 1,500 (Architectural and Cultural Heritage) | 1,543 |
| Anhalt University of Applied Sciences | 1,700 (Architecture, DIA) | 1,749 |
| Anhalt University of Applied Sciences | 1,000 (Landscape Architecture) | 1,029 |
| Berlin University of Technology | 614 | 632 |
| Wismar University of Applied Sciences | – | – |
| Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen (HfWU) | 1,500 | 1,543 |
| Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences | 1,500 | 1,543 |
| Städelschule | 10,000 | 10,290 |
| HafenCity University of Hamburg | 640 | 659 |
| Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences | 718 | 739 |
| University of Stuttgart | 3,000 | 3,087 |
| Berlin International University of Applied Sciences | 10,560 | 10,866 |
Living costs in Germany
Germany is not an expensive place to live in. Although, the cost of living is slightly higher than the EU average. Besides tuition, living costs include rent, food, health insurance, clothing, utilities, etc.
Let us look at how much you will need to budget your living expenses in Germany.
| Particulars | Cost in €/year |
| Rent | 3,984 |
| Food | 1,848 |
| Transportation | 1,392 |
| Health insurance | 1,152 |
| Utilities | 384 |
| Personal expenses | 1,356 |
| Total | 10,116 |
Admission requirements for Masters of Architecture in Germany
A master of architecture is a postgraduate degree. Hence, students with relevant work experience have higher chances of selection. You should meet the following criteria to apply to German universities for the M. Arch degree.
- Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma (minimum 3-year) program in Architecture with a grade of 2.5 or higher
- Portfolio
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Motivational letter emphasizing why you want to apply for the course
- Reference letters from professors or employers
- CV
- Valid passport
- Financial documentation demonstrating your financial capacity to pay tuition fees
The English test scores generally accepted by German universities are
- IELTS 6.5 and above
- TOEFL 80 and above
- Duolingo Certificate > 95
- PTE Academics > 58
If you want to pursue an M. Arch degree from Germany, Gyanberry can assist you. You can use our services to choose the best-fit university for you. We have placed more than 10,000 students at globally-ranked universities with our admissions counseling services. For more information, schedule a video consultation with one of our admission specialists.
Scholarships for Masters of Architecture in Germany
Some of the popular scholarships in Germany for international students are listed below.
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) scholarship
This scholarship is offered by the German Academic Exchange Service. DAAD is a joint organization formed by Germany’s higher education institutions. To promote international academic relations, it offers scholarships to postgraduate and doctoral students. The monthly stipend for postgraduate students is €850, while for PhD students it is €1,200.
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
Ambitious students from all nationalities are eligible to receive the Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship. All subjects are considered under this scholarship. Students at undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral levels can apply for these scholarships. The foundation awards a total of 1,200 scholarships per year. The scholarship is awarded to students studying at the state or state-recognized universities in Germany. Non-EU students in their master’s studies receive 850€ per month plus allowances.
Erasmus Scholarship Program
Erasmus Scholarship Program is open to students accepted to full-time studies at German universities. The European Union’s member states provide the funding for these scholarships. International students can receive financial support for one-year exchange programs through this award. It pays for tuition, travel, and living cost.
Few other popular scholarships are
- DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Program
- Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships
- The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
To browse a comprehensive list of university scholarships for new international students in Germany, click here.
Career Scope of M.Arch Graduates in Germany
Depending upon the specialization, you can enter the following broad fields of architecture:
- Building architecture: Designing new buildings and skyscrapers or remodeling the existing ones
- Naval architecture: Building and designing ships and marine vehicles
- Landscape architecture: Planning, and designing natural and urban landscapes
With a master’s in architecture, you could work for the government, private companies, or NGOs as
- Structural engineer
- Production designer for film, TV, and theater
- Town planner
- Architectural technologist
- Interior and spatial designer
- Building surveyor
- Historic buildings inspector
- Consultant
The average pay for an architect in Germany is €74,910/year (SalaryExpert).
*Note: The tuition fees and other costs are converted based on the current exchange rate, i.e., 1 Euro = 1.03 USD. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change.
