The BA Architecture program provides students with the skills and specialised knowledge to develop creative and responsible solutions in the field of architecture. Taught in English and based in Berlin, the program helps students understand their role and responsibility as architects in any given physical and cultural context – on either a local or a global level. Students learn to apply their holistic understanding of spaces, their design skills, and their knowledge of the relationships between the built environment, technology, art, and geographical, social, sociocultural, and political contexts to solve complex architectural challenges.
Architecture is a protected profession in Germany; professional experience and registration with the Chamber of Architects are required to use the title “Architect.”
Study Architecture in Berlin
The first year of the BA Architecture program provides students with a broad foundation in basic design skills, structural and construction fundamentals, visualization skills, and a historical framework. In the second year, students deepen their structural and material knowledge, tackle architectural design projects, and theoretically reflect on the discipline of architecture. They also get the chance to integrate their acquired knowledge into the larger context of urban design and planning. During the third year, students collaborate with peers from other programs on an interdisciplinary design project to develop a tailored design solution for a real-life client. In addition, they hone their research skills, learn about building law and physics, and sharpen their profile by choosing a variety of electives. The last year is dedicated to subjects that prepare students for their imminent entry into professional life. During the last semester, they apply and deepen their acquired skills by completing a bachelor thesis and a bachelor design project with a topic of their own choice.
Application period
Applications are open for Fall Semester 2026–2027
Program Start
October
Academic calendar
[Needs confirmation: final academic calendar dates]
Portfolio advice
[Needs confirmation: next portfolio advice webinar/date]
4 years (8 semesters)
Full-time
Berlin
Tuition fees and additional costs may vary depending on applicant status and academic year. Please check the final admissions and tuition information before publication.
745 EUR monthly installment,
6 installments per semester. [Needs confirmation: final Whitecliffe tuition wording]
Non-EU Nationals: 4,640 EUR installment per semester. [Needs confirmation: final Whitecliffe tuition wording and registration fee]
The BA Architecture program prepares students for their professional future by helping them develop creative and professional skills across various areas of architecture. Critical thinking, openness, and interdisciplinary collaboration within an international context are at the core of the program.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
NZ Government key information link for students.
A career as an architect offers the opportunity to improve living environments through creative, technical, and sustainable design. Graduates of the BA Architecture program develop a strong understanding of spatial design and how cultural, social, and technological factors shape the built environment. They apply this knowledge to solve complex architectural challenges.
Career opportunities include architecture and urban design firms, production design for film, television and theater, design agencies and fairs, the building materials industry, cultural and state institutions, construction companies, and freelance work.
To apply for the BA Architecture programme, applicants need a German Abitur / Fachabitur or an equivalent international qualification. Foreign qualifications must meet the equivalence criteria set by the German Central Office for Foreign Education.
Applicants are required to submit:
The portfolio should show artistic interests, abilities, and experience in a visual way, with a clear interest in spatial and architectural questions. Professional design work is not expected. The portfolio should include 10 work samples in one PDF file, with a maximum file size of 25 MB. Each work should include a short description explaining the work, its context, and date of creation.
Accepted English language certificates include:
The score must be earned within the last two years. German language knowledge is not required for this English-taught programme.
If applicants do not yet have CEFR level B2 English but are eligible to study in a BA programme, they may apply for the English Preparatory School.
Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Is BA Architecture taught in English? Yes. The BA Architecture program is taught in English. German language knowledge is not required, but applicants need proof of English language skills at CEFR level B2 or above.
The BA Architecture program takes 4 years/8 semesters.
The program is taught in Berlin.
Students study design skills, construction and structural fundamentals, visualisation, architectural history, urban design and planning, theory, materials, research, building law, building physics, electives, and complete a bachelor thesis and bachelor design project.
Yes. Applicants need to submit a portfolio PDF with a minimum of 10 works.
Applicants need a German Abitur/Fachabitur or an equivalent international qualification, proof of English at CEFR level B2 or above, and the required application documents, including a portfolio.
Graduates may work in architecture and urban design practices, construction companies, the building materials industry, cultural and state institutions, production design for film, TV and theatre, design agencies, trade fairs, or freelance work.
Yes. Architecture is a protected profession in Germany. Professional practice and registration with the Chamber of Architects are required to use the title “Architect”.
Students in the BA Architecture program learn from an international academic team with expertise across architecture, design, urban design, and research. The current academic staff includes: Prof. Dr. Giorgia Aquilar Prof. Jeanne-Françoise Fischer Prof. Karsten Huneck Prof. Sigurd Larsen Prof. Lukas Staudinger Roger Wilson
Javier Martín was born in Valencia, Spain. He studied architecture at the Universitat Politècni ...
John Tubles is a Filipino-American Architect, Academic, and Design Researcher currently based in ...
Jeanne-Françoise Fischer is a Swiss/German architect with many years of international profession ...
Amara Goodwin was born in Toronto. She obtained undergraduate degrees in both fine arts and art h ...
Carola Ebert was born in Berlin. She studied architecture (TU Berlin, 1998) and architectural his ...
Prof. Pierre Escobar is a French architect and urbanist and the founder of l’atelier DEV archit ...
Karsten Huneck was born in Chile and grew up in Germany where he also graduated with a Diploma in ...
Sigurd Larsen was born in Denmark where he studied Architecture at The Royal Academy of Fine Arts ...
Adrian von Starck was born in Cologne. He studied architecture and urban planning at TU Darmstadt ...
Lukas Staudinger is an architect and curator of urban practice. He studied architecture at the Ac ...
Katrin Brünjes was born in Bremen. She studied architecture at the Bauhaus-University Weimar (Di ...
Roger Wilson is a multidisciplinary designer. After studying Architecture in Wellington and Paris ...
Sait Ali Köknar studied Architecture at Istanbul Technical University and earned an M.Sc. in the ...
