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."

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.

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
  

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

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Additional contacts:

• KIT-Department of Architecture
• Academic advisor
• Examination board
• Information about exhange programs or studying abroad
• Student Association Architecture

• Course catalog WT23/24
• Course catalog WT23/24 (English) PDF
• Archive of previous catalogs