Bachelor's in Architecture

Topics and teaching formats in the Bachelor's program

In the six semesters leading up to the Bachelor's degree, you will acquire fundamental knowledge and skills in the areas of representation, design, drafting, building construction and interpersonal competences. Later, this is followed by subjects such as urban planning, the history of building, architectural theory and construction and planning management. You can supplement your compulsory modules with electives from other degree programs at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt. 

In regular compact project weeks, you will work on your own individual and creative topics together with students from different semesters and with close supervision of our staff. Field trips will take you to other parts of Germany and abroad, and during your work placement semester you will gain a direct insight into professional practice by working in an architectural office.

Project work - assignments based on real-world situations

Every semester, you are given a central assignment (e.g. the design of a residential building) to complete as part of your project studies. Just like in the real world, various aspects come into play, which are integrated into the project through subjects such as Design Theory, Building Construction, Urban Planning, Design and Representation Theory and Construction Management.

The course contents are mainly taught in seminars - you are expected to actively participate through discussion, oral presentations and by showcasing your own drafts or student research projects. Instead of large lectures, you will be learning in small seminar groups. Group work replicates the conditions in an architectural office and therefore fosters social skills and the ability to present one's own work in front of an audience.

What studying Architecture is all about

Architects build and maintain public and private buildings for a wide variety of purposes, thereby shaping the space we live in. They always have the needs of their clients in mind and must also take into account functional, constructive-technical and aesthetic aspects on the one hand and social, economic and ecological aspects on the other.

During the degree course, you will learn how to explore these complex interrelationships and find solutions by means of practical examples. It's not a matter of learning as much as possible off by heart, but instead training how to approach your work methodically. You will then be able to transfer this approach to other problems you may encounter.

Stages of your studies and program objectives

The degree program focuses on the fundamental specialist knowledge as well as methodological competences in the core areas of construction. A limited number of electives enables you to specialize according to your own interests.

The objectives of the degree program are as follows:     

• in the first stage of studies, students are taught the necessary fundamental design, academic, technical and social skills,    
• in the second stage of studies, the emphasis is on practical specialist training, and   
• in the third stage of studies, professional experience is linked to the curriculum taught at the university

How to apply for the Bachelor’s in Architecture

For admission, students must have a higher education entrance qualification such as a general qualification for university entrance (Abitur), a specific qualification for university entrance (Fachgebundene Hochschulreife) or a specific qualification for admission to universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife). First semester students are not required to take an aptitude test.

After the application deadline, the so-called "Numerus Clausus" procedure is carried out. The minimum grade average is not specified in advance, but is established as a result of the selection procedure. Therefore, it is not possible to say in advance what the minimum grade average of successful applicants will be. As a rule, it is 2.3.

Construction Experience

Students must undertake an 8-week on-site work placement in the main construction sector. This placement may be carried out before the students start their studies but must have been completed by the beginning of their fourth semester. Any apprenticeships completed in the building trade (bricklayer, carpenter, joiner) can count in part or even in full for the work placement.

Please note: This degree program is taught in German and therefore requires all students to have at least C1 level German skills. More information on applying to FH Erfurt as an international student can be found here.

Start your career with a Bachelor's in Architecture

With a Bachelor's degree as your first professional qualification, you can be employed as an architect. However, it does not yet entitle you to be self-employed. The degree program at University of Applied Sciences Erfurt focuses on the services provided by a typical architectural office. A wide range of tasks awaits you there, such as design and implementation planning or site supervision. Especially in larger firms, you can also become more specialized as your professional experience increases.

Multiple prospects for your future careers

Your diverse skills in planning and design will also enable you to pursue career opportunities in the following industries:

• construction and real estate (for example, project management and development, facility management and site supervision)
• the creative sector (for example, web design or stage design)
• offices and authorities in public administration