Masters in Architecture in Germany: Admission 2024

Masters in Architecture in Germany: Admission 2024

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Kriti Anand

| Updated On - Jul 23, 2024

What's New?

  • Top Universities: Some of the most prestigious universities for masters in architecture in Germany include the Technical University of Berlin, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
  • Course Specializations: Some of the most popular specializations among Indian students include architecture & digital design, landscape architecture, real estate planning & development, sustainable architecture, and urban design.
  • German Proficiency Requirements: As the language of instruction is German, DSH2 certificate or equivalent is required for admission to masters in architecture in Germany.
  • Tuition Fee Range: The fees range from EUR 1500 - 20,000 (88 Thousand- 5.29 Lakh INR), with private universities charging tuition fees and public universities charging semester contributions.
  • Top Employers: The potential employers after masters in architecture in Germany include JSWD Architekten, HPP Architects, Gerber Architekten, and so on.

Masters in Architecture in Germany is a two-year course involving the designing of smart cities, planning of towns, the structure of all kinds of buildings, etc. It is popular among Indian students owing to the highly regarded universities and architecture programs in Germany. The fees of the course is in the range of EUR 500 - 1500 in state-funded public universities, and up to EUR 20,000 in private universities. Masters in Architecture at a public university in Germany is one of the most affordable options for quality education, though it is also highly competitive.

The eligibility criteria for admission to masters in Architecture in Germany include:

  • A completed Bachelor’s degree of at least six semester’s length (or equivalent qualification) in architecture
  • German language proficiency (DSH-2 DSD II TESTDAF)

Masters in Architecture in Germany is popular among Indian students because it broadens their scope for placement. In Germany, architecture is as much theoretical as it is practical: from studying research papers to planning and developing urban projects, masters in architecture opens up many doors.

The top recruiters after graduation include JSWD Architekten, HPP Architects, Gerber Architekten, and local city councils among others, offering an average annual salary of 35,000 EUR- 45,000 EUR.

Top Universities and Programs for Masters in Architecture in Germany

Some popular public and private universities in Germany that offer Masters in Architecture courses are provided below.

QS Ranking 2025 University Program Deadlines
147 Technical University of Berlin MSc Architecture (German) | MSc Architecture Typology (English) Aug 31, 2024
28 Technical University of Munich (TUM) MA Architecture (German) Closed
102 Karlsruhe Institute of Technology MSc Architecture (German) Jul 15, 2024
314 University of Stuttgart MSc in Architecture and Urban Planning (German) Jul 15, 2024
801-850 TU Dortmund MSc in Architecture and Urban Planning (German) Apr 5, 2025

The Technical University of Munich is a public university in Germany that is quite popular among Indian students, as it is one of the most prestigious institutions with an acceptance rate of 8% for Indian and international students.

Why Study Masters in Architecture in Germany

Among the top 200 universities offering architecture across the world, 7 universities are from Germany providing modern technology facilities to Indian students. Other reasons to study masters in Architecture in Germany include:

  • Germany has a number of high ranking colleges for masters in architecture such as Technical University of Berlin, Technical University of Munich, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, etc.
  • Most of the public universities are affordable due to Germany’s free education policy. They charge a semester fee, which is in the range of EUR 300-1500, and are very competitive.
  • Recent years have seen a significant increase in revenue for architects in Germany, improving job aspects for Indian students after completing Masters in Architecture in Germany. Students also have the chance to become city planners or urban developers by combining different fields of study.
  • As Germany is trying to attract immigrants, there is an increasing need for housing—especially in cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, etc—for the skilled immigrants and their families, directly impacting the field of architecture.
  • Students in Germany get a semester ticket, allowing you to travel for free during the entire semester within a certain radius of the city that you are in.

However, admission to public universities requires an exceptional academic background, and placement after graduation depends on how well your resume stands out.

You probably have a B. Arch from India, which means you are unfamiliar with the German environment and methods of construction. Their simple, subtle yet extremely durable architectural style that reflects their motto of “function over form” is very different from that of India, making placement difficult. Taking up internships to gain industry experience can be helpful.

Masters in Architecture in Germany Specializations

Some of the most popular masters in architecture in Germany specializations for Indian students are:

  • Architectural Design
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture & Digital Design
  • Architectural History & Technology
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Real Estate Planning & Development
  • Sustainable Architecture
  • Urban Design

Masters in Architecture in Germany Admission

Admission to Masters in Architecture in Germany for Indian students requires a strong academic background and German language proficiency. The two main intake seasons for Indian students are winter (October to March) and summer (April to September). The academic qualifications required for admission to masters in architecture in Germany are:

  • A completed Bachelor’s degree of at least six semester’s length (or equivalent qualification) in architecture
  • German language proficiency (DSH2 certificate or equivalent)
  • English language proficiency (IELTS score: 6.5 or above) (for English-taught courses, like TU Dortmund)
  • CV
  • SOP
  • LOR
  • Work Sample (portfolio)
  • Transcript of Records

The following table shows the language requirements for Masters in Architecture in Germany set by the top universities.

University Language Requirement
Technical University of Berlin DSH-2 with registration at German Rector's Conference DSH-3 with registration at German Rector's Conference
Technical University of Munich (TUM) DSH-2 DSD II TESTDAF
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology DSH2 certificate or equivalent
University of Stuttgart C2-GDS DSD II
TU Dortmund University DSH2 certificate or equivalent IELTS score: 6.5 or above

Relevant work experience can add more credibility to your application. A work sample in the form of a portfolio is required by most colleges for a Masters in Architecture in Germany.

Visa Requirements

The student visa fee for Indian applicants is 75 EUR (6,815 INR), and provided below is the Germany Study Visa checklist:

  • A duly filled and signed national visa application form
  • A valid national passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Health Insurance - From departure to the date of enrolment - approx. 3 months)
  • Proof of Admission - Admission letter from the university
  • Cover Letter (Including the purpose and duration of stay, the reason for choosing the particular university, study program, and how the particular program will help in career)
  • Proof of payment to the university
  • Proof of Financial Resources (Finanzierungsnachweis)

To know all about the German visa application process, click here.

Masters in Architecture in Germany Fees

Germany is one of the economic countries for Indian students to live in. Although the cost of living in Germany is higher than in India, it is more affordable than other study abroad destinations like the UK and USA.

Tuition Fees

The average total fees for pursuing Masters in Architecture in Germany is 1,000 EUR- 6,000 EUR (88 Thousand- 5.29 Lakh INR). The following table shows the estimated tuition fees for the top universities offering Masters in Architecture in Germany:

University Total Tuition Fees (EUR) Fee for Indian Students (INR)
Technical University of Berlin 1,228 1.08 Lakh
Technical University of Munich 8,000 - 12,000 7 - 11 Lakh
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology 6,000 5.29 Lakh
University of Stuttgart 6,856 6.07 Lakh
TU Dortmund University 480 42 Thousand

Tuition Fees

Although the Technical University of Munich is a public university, it will charge a tuition fee of EUR 4,000 - 6,000 per semester from the winter session of 2025.

Cost of Living in Germany

The average cost of living in Germany is around EUR 850 (~74,000 INR) per month or EUR 10,236 (~8.9 lakh INR) per year. The following is the breakdown of expenses you may incur in Germany as an international student.

Expense Type Average Monthly Expense (EUR) Cost for Indian Students (INR)
Accommodation 325 28,700
Meals 154 13,600
Transportation 116 10,200
Health Insurance 96 8,400
Personal Expenses 65 5,700
Telephone 24 2,100

Cost of Living

The cost of study in Germany for Indian students is a combination of cost of living and the cost of their tuition fee.

Masters in Architecture in Germany Scholarships

Scholarships can help offset the cost of studying masters in Architecture in Germany. Some of the scholarships available for Indian students are:

Scholarship Awarded by Eligibility Award Value
Stibet Scholarship DAAD Academic achievement EUR 750/month for 3 to 4 months
EBS International Scholarship EBS Universitat Awarded on a merit basis 300 Euros per month
Heinrich Boll Scholarships Federal ministry of education Merit based Variable amount
Deutschlandstipendium: the German National Scholarship at TUM Technical University of Munich Merit based 300 Euros per month
Kaad Scholarship Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst A university degree and professional experience from the home country Variable amount

Though most universities in Germany have little to no tuition fees, scholarships can definitely help with the cost of living in Germany for an Indian student pursuing their studies in Germany.

Masters in Architecture in Germany Placements

A Masters degree in Architecture leads to careers such as architect, urban designer, landscape architect, and structural engineer. The average annual salary of a person after doing Masters in Architecture in Germany ranges from 35,000 EUR- 45,000 EUR (31-40 Lakh INR). Given below are the jobs for Indian students in Germany after pursuing Masters in Architecture in Germany.

Profession Average Annual Salary (EUR) Salary for Indian Student (INR)
Design Architect 36,848 32.66 Lakh
Interior Designer 35,543 31.51 Lakh
Construction Project Manager 57,977 51.39 Lakh
Architect 36,697 32.53 Lakh
Architectural Designer 40,809 36.17 Lakh
Structural Engineer 46,394 41.13 Lakh

After graduation, you broadly have two options: to return to India or to find placement in Germany. Returning to India is not recommended, as a foreign degree in architecture does not add much to your career opportunities here. Plus, it is more feasible to recover in euros what you spent in euros.

Work Permit

Following graduation, students who complete their studies in Germany are allowed an 18-month extension to work in the country. The work permit doesn't include a student visa and is completely a separate entity. The documents required for post study work permit in Germany include:

  • University Degree
  • Valid Passport
  • Health Insurance
  • Proof of Funds

Finding placement in Germany can be challenging (especially if you don’t know the language), but with a good academic record and extensive networking, you can make it all a little easier. With a tuition fee range of 1,000 EUR- 6,000 EUR (88 Thousand- 5.29 Lakh INR) and an average annual salary of 35,000 EUR- 45,000 EUR (31-40 Lakh INR), masters in architecture in Germany reflects a high ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. What is the scope after pursuing a Masters in Architecture in Germany?

Ans. You can work as Construction Manager, Project Manager, Design and Sales Manager, and Intermediate Architect after pursuing a Masters in Architecture in Germany. Average annual salary offered is 35,000 EUR- 45,000 EUR (31-40 Lakh INR).

Ques. What should be the minimum marks in graduation to apply for a Masters in Architecture in Germany?

Ans. A student must have a bachelor's in architecture or a related field to apply for a master's in architecture in Germany. No minimum percentage is specified by most of the top universities. However, a portfolio is a mandatory requirement.

Ques. Are English proficiency test scores like IELTS or TOEFL needed to apply for Masters in Architecture in Germany?

Ans. If the language of study is English then only you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 or above or an equivalent TOEFL score. As most of the Masters in Architecture programs are taught in German, you will need a German language proficiency certificate.

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