If you are a creative thinker who loves to think outside the box, having a degree in Architecture will put your skills into the design industry. Architecture is both an art and sciences study that uses design to express practical and creative solutions in construction. Architecture covers any built environment such as landscaping, houses, modern buildings, town planning, and even furniture. Every design should be carefully thought of by an architect, requiring a vast of technical and critical thinking skills.
Are you ready to start designing? We have compiled a list below of the best architecture schools in Europe to help you start your journey.
Top Architecture Schools in Europe
1. University College London
- Bachelors in Architecture Program Link
- Postgraduate in Architecture Program Link
- Degrees offered: Bachelors, Masters
The University of London is an award-winning sustainable university dedicated to teaching excellence. Their cutting-edge research addresses climate change and plastic pollution through innovative research and technological designs. As one of the best architecture schools in Europe, UCL’s Architecture programs are tailored to equip students with architectural expertise while creating sustainable solutions.
UCL offers three-year bachelor’s degrees namely BS Architecture, BS Architecture and Interdisciplinary Studies, and Urban Planning. These programs have rigorous curriculums that approach design with experimental and creative concepts. They also offer numerous master’s degrees for the field of study, including Landscape Architecture, Naval Architecture, Architecture and Historic Urban Environments, and Urban Design.
2. Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
- Bachelor’s in Architecture
- Postgraduate in Architecture
- Degrees offered: Bachelors, Masters, PhD
TU Delft is the largest and oldest technical university in the Netherlands. They prioritize environmentalism and sustainability through innovation, design, and technology to realize their mission in creating a positive impact on society. The campus itself is environmental-friendly and full of nature, with buildings and campus facilities reachable on foot.
TU Delft offers a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Architecture, Urbanism, and Building Sciences that shapes students into architects and designers that understand the interaction of technology and urban planning. This prestigious architecture institution also offers professional career explorations with architects, spatial designers, and engineering. The Architectural programs draw inspiration from the rich architectural culture from the Netherlands.
3. ETH Zurich
- Bachelors in Architecture Program Link
- Postgraduate in Architecture Program Link
- Degrees offered: Bachelors, Masters, PhD
ETH is an international institute known for sustainability research that values sustainable development in its academic curriculum. ETH Zurich stands by its Swiss values through research, science, innovation, and knowledge. Students at ETH have the necessary skills to address global problems.
Known to be one of Europe’s best architecture schools, ETH offers a bachelor’s degree in Architecture wherein the curriculum is tailored to address conflicting urban issues with creative solutions. Students in this program are provided with analytical, creative, and negotiation skills to create strategies and manage environmental and urban designs. They are also immersed in real-world scenarios to understand the business side of the field. They also offer a consecutive master’s degree in Architecture.
4. University of Cambridge
- Bachelors in Architecture Program Link
- Degrees offered: Bachelors
The University of Cambridge houses multinational students across different programs and courses. They are known for the quality of their research as well as their success in producing 121 Nobel Prize Laureates as affiliates. Students at Cambridge have a high-employability rate. They are committed to providing students with opportunities to widen their skills and experience an inclusive and welcoming campus environment.
Cambridge offers a three-year bachelor’s degree in Architecture which covers different architectural approaches and design skills. By year 3, the students are required to create a building design to showcase their technical and creative learnings. Architectural graduates from Cambridge work in environmentally responsible design, urban design, and disaster relief.
5. Politecnico di Milano
- Bachelors in Architecture Program Link
- Postgraduate in Architecture Program Link
- Degrees offered: Bachelors, Masters
Politecnico is a technological university that trains students to become competent architects, engineers, and designers. They focus on delivering innovation and research to their students to equip them with technical and academic skills in addressing real-life urban issues. Politecnico is part of several European research, as well as other countries including Asia and America. Their international scope allows faculty and students to build with other leading technical universities.
Politecnico offers a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design. A three-year program that offers professional experience opportunities abroad. They also offer an Urban Planning: Cities, Environment, and Landscape program. They offer master’s degrees in Architectural Engineering, Design History, Building Architecture, Built Environment Interiors, and Urban Design.
6. Manchester School of Architecture
- Architecture Program Link
- Degrees offered: Bachelors, Masters
Manchester School of Architecture is a collaboration between Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester. They have over 100 experts in the Architectural field, with academically rigorous curriculums and practical learning experiences. The courses in Manchester’s Architectural programs are accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects and Architects Registration Board. The students at Manchester are provided with a nurturing environment with practical research, live events, and wide communities.
Manchester offers a BA (Hons) Architecture, Master of Architecture, MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse, MA Architecture and Urbanism, and Master of Landscape Architecture. Graduates of this leading architecture school in Europe have honed design and theoretical skills that are in demand during employment. With experts, research-active lecturers, and leading architects and designers to guide the students, Manchester continuous to produce high-quality graduates.
7. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)
- Bachelors in Architecture Program Link
- Masters in Architecture Program Link
- PhD in Architecture Program Link
- Degrees offered: Bachelors, Masters, PhD
Located in Switzerland, EPFL is a modern technical university that is dedicated to teaching, research, and innovation. They collaborate with other universities and institutions to fulfill their international vocation in creating a positive societal impact.
They offer an undergraduate Architecture program that is centered on designing with creativity and social, environmental, and cultural impact. As one of Europe’s best architecture schools, its curriculum also provides a structured methodological approach. The lecturers in this program apply theory and practice to ensure that the students can create their own interpretations and reflections to implement on a certain project. They also offer a Master of Science in Architecture and a doctoral program in Architecture and Sciences of the City.
8. Lancaster University
- Bachelor’s in Architecture Program
- Master’s in Architecture Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Architecture should always consider more than design, but should also include sustainability and practicality in the equation. Lancaster University’s school of architecture does just that.
Starting from the roots, the BA program they offer covers everything from design, materials, and even employability in their modules. After you graduate, you may continue with their Master’s program, which brings the concepts of architecture and ethics for the most part.
9. University of Glasgow
- Bachelor’s in Architecture Program
- Master’s in Architecture Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The University of Glasgow’s school of art houses an extended architecture program, which ranges from a 3-year undergraduate program, to postgraduate masters offering for the students. The undergraduate curriculum on-the-job training, as well as collaboration with other programs and disciplines. The master’s degree could be earned by finishing their postgraduate program, which educates the students on multiple disciplines relating to their chosen line of work.
10. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Bachelor’s in Architecture Program
- Master’s in Architecture Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
There is no other direction to look but forward, and forward is where the KTH Royal Institute of Technology is headed. As a top-performing architecture school in Europe, its educational programs envision the future of society, attempting to shape it with breathtaking and functional designs. The university also has excellent research centers, several of which are housed in the School of Architecture and the Built Environment. This is a product of years of groundbreaking research from the university and its constituents, as well as the efforts of many outstanding alumni. Not only will you be graduating with textbook knowledge, but with wisdom to face what lies ahead as well.
11. Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
- Architecture Programs offered
- Doctors offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Even with many names, the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, also known as BarcelonaTech or UPC, is still known for its top-tier programs and high-quality education. The university itself is a factory of excellent graduates, producing just under 9000 graduates yearly. The employability of a UPC graduate is also very high, with 93% of the graduates working, with 76% finding a job in under three months. The internationally-ranked university has its own school of architecture that has undergraduate and master programs that stay true to the university’s reputation of excellence.
The undergraduate and graduate architecture programs of the university aim to deliver a unique approach to teaching. This excellent architecture school helps students develop their skillsets and knowledge needed in the field.
12. Technische Universität Berlin
- Bachelor’s in Architecture Program
- Master’s in Architecture Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The Technische Universität Berlin is among the best technical universities in Germany, as well as the world. The focus of the institution on the technical side of industries is what makes it an excellent and unique choice for architectural studies.
Architecture, for the most part, is design. What makes architecture in the university so one-of-a-kind is that they incorporate engineering more than any common architectural school, giving the students a unique skill set that involves theoretical, practical, and artistic knowledge that results in incredible works.
13. University of Edinburgh
- Architecture Programs offered
- Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Under the University of Edinburgh is the ESALA, the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. The school is among the elite, being one of the few that integrate research, education, and practice in the field. Another important detail about the school is that its programs are accredited by the RIBA, ARB, and the Landscape Institute. The school is also a proud center of diversity, winning awards as they prioritize giving access to quality education to anybody from around the globe. It is also home to extensive and inspiring research that helps make the world better aesthetically and practically.
14. Eindhoven University of Technology
- Bachelor’s in Architecture Program
- Master’s in Architecture Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The Eindhoven University of Technology takes pride in its unique architecture program, which mixes architecture with other fields like real estate and urbanism. The resulting graduates are then well-versed in multiple fields, with broad insight to improve their designs.
Due to the revolutionary approach of the university to the program, the TU/e is among the top choices of international students that wish to learn more about architecture. The masteral program in the field they offer incorporates even more concepts to the mix, adding in theories and ideas that make their students even sharper.
15. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
- Bachelor’s in Architecture Program
- Master’s in Architecture Program
- PhD in Architecture Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Architecture is both an art and a science, but the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven adds social relevance to an already robust formula. The result? A very creative and novel program.
The students are exposed to the theoretical aspects of architecture, as well as given engagements that give them hands-on experience in the industry. A well-rounded approach to this makes their students jacks of all trades, and their graduates have the edge to succeed in the industry after their life in the university. After graduation, they are also given the choice to hone their skills even more by applying to graduate programs.
16. Leeds Beckett University
- Bachelor’s in Architecture Program
- Master’s in Architecture Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Leeds Beckett University uses up-to-date tools that are used in the industry of architecture for learning to expose the students to the best education they could get. Along with this is education on topics that their chosen path relate to, such as design, art, and even culture. The graduates that LBU produces are nothing to shrug at because they are not only well-educated but also come out of the university well-equipped for what lies ahead in their professional life.
Leeds Beckett University also takes pride as one of the best architecture schools in Europe. The university’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture are designed to foster technical skills during their studies.
17. Aalto University
- Bachelor’s in Architecture Program
- Master’s in Architecture Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Finland is well-known around the world for fine architecture, and this is where Aalto University’s Department of Architecture draws inspiration from. The department uses its connections to give its students education via immersion in the field, with the help of friendly architecture firms. This prepares the students to think of solutions for problems that are bound to be encountered in the future.
Graduates, on the other hand, are known to be critical thinkers, capable of thinking outside the box with ideas that are both artistic and practical.
I hope that you found this article on the best architecture schools in Europe informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
