Architecture

The architecture of the future is more than the design and development of the built environment. Global warming, for example, demands climate-adaptive buildings and infrastructures as well as a reduction of CO₂ emissions in the construction sector. Students in the Bachelor’s degree program in Architecture (B.A.) learn to address architectural challenges with solid design competence and to solve building tasks in accordance with the diverse and heterogeneous requirements placed upon them.

The program engages with issues of building construction, representation and design, as well as with the history and theory of architecture and its digital, artistic, and scientific methods. At its core is architectural design as a creative approach to meaningfully integrate different aspects of building practice. Using this set of core skills, students develop prototypes and innovative solutions for concrete architectural problems. They critically reflect on architectural interventions in order to find solutions appropriate to both the specific site and the broader social context. Students acquire the competencies required to take responsibility for planning processes, to engage responsibly with the built environment, and to actively shape the global transition toward climate neutrality in an entrepreneurial manner.

Graduates of the program are highly qualified architects. They are capable of combining innovation with the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity, sustainability, and an appropriate quality of life for all social groups, thereby serving society and its built living environment. They are therefore well qualified, after at least two years of professional experience, to obtain professional licensure as architects or to pursue a consecutive Master’s degree in order to meet the requirements for worldwide registration and/or licensing.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the Bachelor's program in Architecture (PDF, German) 

The Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree program is an 8-semester long full-time study course. The first four semesters aim to establish a common basis through the training of perceptive and creative design faculties, the methodology of architectural design as well as education in the basic principles of natural sciences and technology and in the disciplines of the social sciences and humanities. These semesters therefore consist predominantly of mandatory courses.

The core subject areas of design, urbanism, building construction, history and theory, design and presentation, digital design, among others, constitute 20 weekly hours per semester respectively and 30 credits. The creative process of designing plays a central role: 6 weekly hours per semester are dedicated to project work in the form of a short design project. Related lectures and exercises complement the respective project.

In most cases, students spend the 5th and 6th semesters studying at a foreign partner university. The department of international relations at the Faculty of Architecture helps and supports students in selecting their partner university. Using a selection procedure, which considers students’ achievements, personal aptitude and motivation, each student is offered a placement at one of over 90 partner universities around the world.

To avoid overburdening students when they are abroad, students are asked to achieve a minimum of 20 credits per semester. Contractual agreements with partner universities set out the number of students admitted and the duration of their stay. In addition, the curricula of the partner universities are closely aligned through Learning Agreements with the curriculum of the Faculty of Architecture at the TU München.

The 7th and 8th semesters expand on and deepen the knowledge gained in the previous semesters. In the 7th semester, students can choose from a range of projects with different thematic areas of focus offered by different chairs of the faculty. The remaining subjects are compulsory elective modules to allow students to place greater emphasis on an area of their choosing. In the 8th semester, students undertake their bachelor’s thesis project, which is presented at a final colloquium, and counts for 12+3 credit points.

• More informationen on the program's structure and modules

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your German language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is German.

• Information on exams
• Contact Examination Board
• Information on studying abroad

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 2,000 euros per semester.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Admission requirements and the application procedure vary depending on the type of higher education entrance qualification you hold.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

Here you will find detailed information on the requirements for the documents you need to upload for application and admission to TUM.

Generally, applicants with an international higher education entrance qualification must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• What are the steps of the application process?
• What admissions requirements do I need to fulfill?
• Important information about your application from the TUM school

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• if applicable: Proof of Internships or Professional Experience (optional)
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist - for international applicants only

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Higher Education Entrance Qualification (authentic document)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. A complete list of the required documents will be available in TUMonline once you have accepted your place in the degree program.

Application period for the winter semester: 15.05. – 15.07.

For information on applying for a higher semester, please contact the Departmental Student Advising.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. 

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. The aptitude assessment is a procedure evaluating your ability to successfully manage the particular qualitative requirements of the Bachelor’s program.

Your overall secondary school grade will be evaluated using a point system and you will be invited to a mandatory written test. After the test, a point score is calculated, which consists of 50% your average school grade and 50% your test results. With sufficient points, you will then receive admission.

In detail:

• Aptitude Assessment for Bachelor
• Aptitude Assessment (German) (PDF 133 KB)