Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Regular program length: 6 semester (full-time program)

Credit points (ECTS): 180 credit points

Language of instruction: German

Limited capacity:
First semester: yes / 156 study places
Higher semester: yes
Application possible for:
First semester: winter term
Higher semester: winter and summer term
Application deadline:
German and EU nationals
First semester: July 15
Higher semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term
Non-EU nationals
First semester: July 15
Higher semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term

Degree and duration

Regular program length of 3 years leading to a "Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)" degree; 180 credit points (corresponding to the Europen Credit Transfer and Accumulation System - ETCS) must be completed. Individual program length may differ from normal program length.

Program structure

"Using scientific methods to work on the creative design of the world - that is our goal as the Karlsruhe Department of Architecture at KIT."

KIT-Department of Architecture

The design, shaping and construction of buildings as well as the planning of urban and landscape spaces are the central contents of architecture and urban planning. Planning and realization require sound specialist knowledge and a clear judgement of space and context, material and construction, history and theory, application and effects, management, economy and sustainability.

The content and methodological focus of the study program is design theory. This is taught in so-called design studios with a changing thematic focus each semester (space > structure > material > context > order). The design and project work is accompanied by a coordinated range of basic artistic, technical, historical and social science lectures, exercises and seminars.

In the final semesters, you can put together your own individual study plan from a wide range of seminars, tutorials and weekly seminar courses in the specialization subject that corresponds to your inclinations and interests.

The course is divided into the following subjects:

  • design
  • integral design
  • building technology
  • theoretical and historical foundations
  • design and representation
  • urban and landscape planning
  • specialization
  • interdisciplinary qualification

The KIT-Department of Architecture offers you the opportunity to acquire these skills both in the compulsory international module and through a voluntary semester abroad at one of the partner universities.

Completing a subsequent master's degree is strongly recommended, as currently only those who have completed at least four years of subject-related studies can be admitted to the "Architektenkammer" (Chamber of Architects). Information is available from the Federal Chamber of Architects.

Internship

The study and examination regulations do not stipulate a compulsory internship. An internship in the building trade is also not required. It is strongly recommended that students complete a continuous six-month office internship during their architectural studies, which is suitable for giving the student an idea of the practical work of an architect. No credit points are allocated to the six-month office internship. It is not included in the overall grade.

Education within the Bachelor's program of architecture is largely based on the regulations adopted by the German Federal Chamber of Architects and international associations, such as UIA and AESOP. Moreover, the Bundesstiftung Baukultur (Federal Building Culture Foundation) has clearly defined the society’s requirements to be met by architects and updated them in broad discourse.

Graduates of the Bachelor's program of architecture are aware of the different system and complexity levels of this profession and understand the interconnections between the partial areas of architecture.

Upon completion of the Bachelor's program of six semesters’ duration, graduates have acquired the specific scientific qualification for participation in a subsequent Master's program of architecture or related programs.

At the same time, graduates are prepared for work in the areas of architecture and urban and landscape planning. Qualification to start a profession, however, will be obtained only when participating in a subsequent Master's program. Together with a practical working phase of two or three years, the Master's degree is needed to obtain the authorization to present building documents (Bauvorlageberechtigung) and to become a member of the Chamber of Architects.

Graduates have an awareness of and high sensitivity for the sustainable use of nature and the environment and know the associated architectural challenges.

They are able to critically assess scientific and specific knowledge of how modern architecture and urban planning can be formulated and can relate this knowledge to the social context. In this respect, graduates are capable of developing an own personal attitude, even though it may not be firm.

Graduates can apply central terms of the specific terminology and have a first idea of current problems faced by architects and the corresponding research community.

They have a solid and wide fundamental knowledge in the different areas of architecture. This includes a theoretical artistic understanding, technical construction knowledge, and sensitivity for the context as well as knowledge of building history and the history of art.

Graduates have learned to think and act independently.

They are familiar with the fundamentals of scientific work and capable of analyzing problems and critically discussing facts. They are able to understand complex spatial situations and model them clearly with different tools.

After three years of work in six design studios, graduates are able to work in teams. They have gained vast experience while working in various groups.

Graduates have trained to exploit sources of information and to specifically use the findings in a structured way.

They are able to present the work results derived to an audience and to document them in an understandable form. In addition, graduates are able to compile their study results in a portfolio and to process their findings in a specific way.

Excerpt from the diploma supplement of the study program

The profession is associated with a high degree of responsibility. As a cultural and public practice, architecture is closely linked to social, technological and economic developments. The diversity of the discipline means that it combines the humanities, social and natural sciences as well as engineering and art.

The professional field therefore comprises the design, technical and economic planning of buildings and groups of buildings, interiors, urban districts and even entire residential areas. However, the job profile in the field of architecture and urban planning is changing. In recent years, a whole range of new fields of activity have been added to the traditional areas of activity. In particular, the examination of existing buildings and structures is becoming an increasingly important part of the work spectrum.

The prerequisite for self-employed work in architecture and/or urban planning is registration with a "Architektenkammer" (Chamber of Architects). This requires the completion of a master's degree in Architecture.

Fields of activity are mainly

  • self-employed or employed
  • in the construction industry, at housing and real estate companies, in civil servant positions at public authorities, in university teaching and research or in freelance expert activities and/or expert fields
  • architecture-related fields of activity: building biology, building research, construction management, building climate control, building physics, building services, cost/land/lighting planning, building law/damage expertise, building experts, building mechanics, historic preservation, software development (e.g. CAD programs), design, energy planning, facility management (administration/management of buildings and facilities), planning methodology, project development and management, environmental planning
  • alternative occupational fields: e.g. stage design, journalism, politics, sales management, architectural photography

Further information on the job description can be found at the "Architektenkammer" (Chamber of Architects).

Furthermore, with a good master's degree and academic ambitions, it may also be interesting to pursue a doctorate and a subsequent career at a university or research institution.

  • the bachelor's degree program in Architecture is a project-based program in which the focus is on a design each semester
  • practice-oriented teaching of the basics with excursions, design and construction projects up to a scale of 1:1
  • drawing workstations for all students on the bachelor's degree program
  • supervised study workshops with equipment hire
  • separate art history study program, resulting in additional courses on offer
  • an internship is not mandatory, but is recommended
  • orientation week and mentoring program at the start of studies
  • numerous opportunities to study abroad

German applicants and those with German-equivalent applicant status

Germans, EU nationals and non-EU nationals with a German university entrance qualification are eligible to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:

  1. General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
  2. (relevant) fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-linked university entrance qualification; not Fachhochschulreife / university of applied sciences entrance qualification)
  3. Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
  4. a recognized diploma of advanced vocational training (e.g. technician, Meister diploma for craftsman) or an aptitude test for professionally qualified persons

For additional possibilites, see §58 of the Landeshochschulgesetz (State Higher Education Act).

Furthermore, prerequisite for enrollment is the participation in a study orientation test (e.g. at www.was-studiere-ich.de) or study orientation counseling, e.g. by the Zentrale Studienberatung (student advisory service) at KIT, in accordance with §60 of the Landeshochschulgesetz (State Higher Education Act).

German nationals with foreign school-leaving qualifications must have the responsible Regierungspraesidium (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.

All applicants

In addition, all applicants, regardless of their nationality, must provide proof of sufficient knowledge of the English language corresponding to at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). English language skills can be proven by internationally recognized tests.

Proof of English language proficiency is not required for applicants with

  • a university degree from a university with English as the only language of instruction and examination
  • a high school diploma, whereby the foreign language must have been studied for at least five school years leading directly up to graduation with a degree entitling the applicant to university admission. The final or average grade of the last two school years must correspond to at least 5 points

Foreign nationals (non-EU)

In Germany, the school leaving certificate of institutions in certain countries is accepted as direct means to enter university. In order to start your bachelor's studies in Germany, a university entrange test and / or one completed year of education at an institute of higher education and / or the "Feststellungsprüfung" (test of aptitude of foreign applicants for studies at universities in Germany) needs to be demonstrated in addition in most cases. You can find country-specific regulations in the "Zulassungsdatenbank des DAAD" (database on adimission requirements of the German Academy Exchange Service) or in the Anabin database (database of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen", only available in German). If you have further questions, please contact the International Students Office.

Knowledge of the German language for foreign nationals

In order to be accepted into a study program taught in German, foreign nationals need to demonstrate knowledge of the German language. For your application, you need to demonstrate knowledge of level B1. All such certificates are accepted, even a certificate of attendance of a B1 course. During the enrollment process, you need to submit a DSH2 certificate or an accepted equivalent thereof. If you have further questions, please contact the International Students Office.

Selection procedure for German and EU nationals, and non-German nationals with German university entrance certificates

There are 156 study places available. After deducting the preliminary quotas for hardship cases (5%), non-EU nationals (10%) and second degree applicants (2%), 10% of the study places are allocated to the applicants with the longest waiting time. 90% of the study places are allocated via a selection procedure.

The selection procedure is based on

  • academic performance
  • the result of a practical assignment
  • any previous experience of the applicants

Based on these achievements, a ranking is made according to points.

  1. result of the university entrance qualification (school performance, weighting 60%)
  2. practical task (weighting 30%): demonstrate subject-specific aptitude in the form of sketches, drawings, photos or other forms of presentation and a short text on the subject (300 - 400 characters incl. spaces), no originals, max. DIN A4, max. 5-10 pages. Evaluation by the selection commission on a scale of 0 to 30 points.
  3. previous experience (weighting 10%)

If available and proven, the following previous experience can be assessed if it provides particular information about the applicant's suitability for the intended study program:

  • completed vocational training
  • practical activities, e.g. voluntary service (max. 5 points)
  • extracurricular achievements and qualifications, e.g. prizes and awards (max. 5 points)

The points from a) to c) are added together, but the total cannot exceed 10 points.

The practical assignment can be found on the website of the KIT-Department of Architecture.

The results of the selection procedures of previous years can be found in the Zulassungsergebnisse (admission results) booklet.

Detailed information on the selection procedure can be found in the statutes for the university's own selection procedure for the degree program.

Selection procedure for foreign nationals

Please note, the selection procedure differs for citizens of third countries (Non-EU/EEA). This selection procedure is based on your university entrance qualifications which can consist of your academic performance in school and, if applicated, in institutions of higher education and / or the "Feststellungsprüfung" (test of aptitude of foreign applicants for studies at universities in Germany).

Application for the 1st semester

 
Application for summer term
not possible

Application for a higher semester

 
Application portal for summer term
opens 01.12.2024.
MINT-Kolleg MINT-Kolleg

Prepatory courses at KIT: The MINT-Kolleg offers prospective and first-year students support in natural science and technical subjects (STEM).

In addition, the KIT-Departments offer special preliminary courses before the start of the semester program during the "O-Phase" (orientation week).

The KIT offers support for all first-year students in order to have a successful start of their studies. Numerous orientation events and mentoring programs at the KIT-Departments help students to make friends, orientate themselves and find support where needed. The central online portalstudienstart.kit.edu is a first guide to all important offers, brings together all relevant information and contains helpful hints for a successful start of your studies:

  • advisory centers
  • mentoring programs
  • info sessions
  • workshops
  • extensive online information
Carmen Reck
Student advisor
Student advisory services (ZSB)

+49 721 608 - 44930Carmen Reck does-not-exist.kit edu

 

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Zentrale Studienberatung (ZSB)
Engelbert-Arnold-Str. 2
76131 Karlsruhe

Studierendenservice

 

+49 721 608 - 82222

 

Contacts for students

Contacts for applicants

 

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Studierendenservice
Kaiserstr. 12
76131 Karlsruhe

 

Business hours

International Students Office
First point of contact for international applicants

+49 721 608 - 44911

Contact form

 

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
International Students Office (IStO)
Adenauerring 2
76131 Karlsruhe

Previous studies and examination regulations Architecture B.Sc.
Titel Stand Download
30.03.2023, veröffentlicht 30.03.2023

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07.12.2022, veröffentlicht 07.12.2022

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20.05.2022, veröffentlicht 20.05.2022

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28.03.2022, veröffentlicht 28.03.2022

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04.09.2020, veröffentlicht 04.09.2020

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31.07.2020, veröffentlicht 31.07.2020

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14.05.2019, veröffentlicht 14.05.2019

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27.07.2016, veröffentlicht 27.07.2016

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07.03.2016, veröffentlicht 07.03.2016

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28.03.2014, veröffentlicht 28.03.2014

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02.04.2012, veröffentlicht 17.04.2012

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23.07.2009

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WT 2024/25

10-21-2024 to 02-15-2025

ST 2025

04-22-2025 to 08-02-2025

WT 2025/26

10-27-2025 to 02-21-2026

ST 2026

04-20-2026 to 08-01-2026

WT 2026/27

10-26-2026 to 02-20-2027

ST 2027

04-19-2027 to 07-31-2027

WT 2027/28

10-25-2027 to 02-19-2028

ST 2028

04-18-2028 to 07-29-2028

Lectures will not take place:
  • From 12-24 to 01-06
  • the week after Pentecost
  • on all public holidays in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg