Architecture

Building on the basic knowledge acquired in all relevant topics on the Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, the Master’s degree program is geared towards students’ increased concentration on individual areas of interest, which are dealt with in depth in lectures, through their own project work and accompanying self-study.

The aim of the overall program of specialist areas and the mentoring program, therefore, is based on the interests and competencies of the students on the one hand and the individual focus of the chairs for teaching and research on the other. This allows the students a specialization in work-related problems, which are incorporated in the subject areas covered by the four focus areas of the Faculty of Architecture. The fundamental objective is, by means of a comprehensive university education, to enable students to assume responsibility with regard to society and the built environment. Graduates will be ready to take up senior management positions in the planning process and to operate successfully and entrepreneurially.

The consecutive Master’s program in architecture will be offered either as a program that is freely defined together with a mentor or as a program with four defined areas of concentration, each of four semesters. In all fields of specialization, design-oriented project work is the central focus.

A high level of commitment is expected of the applicants. Students must also successfully pass the qualification assessment procedure.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the Master’s program in Architecture (PDF, German)

The Master's Degree in Architecture (Master of Arts) at the TU München qualifies students both in the general and the specific competencies of the study areas, and in methodological skills as well as social and interpersonal skills. The graduates of all four study areas will be equally able to visualize and pre-sent their created work. They are specifically able to use a wide variety of digital and analogue visualization methods, including modeling techniques acquired within the project work. They will have achieved conviction and confidence in the elucidation and justification of their own design work. They will also have a thoroughgoing knowledge of construction and architectural history and theory of architecture, which for the graduates of the Master’s programs provide the guiding principles for design work.

Additionally, students will have at their disposal the social and interpersonal skills that are indispensible in the working environment of the architectural profession. Following their studies, they will be able to collaborate on complex projects cooperatively and productively as a team and they will have been trained to hold their own in conflicts between stakeholders.

Through methodological and professional specialization on the Master’s program, together with the project work specifically designed to this end, they will also be capable of handling complex design and construction projects independently and without guidance and to take responsibility whether within a team or working alone. They will be able to work on projects in a sustained and pro-active way, and to be aware of their own strengths and weaknesses in order to achieve set targets in an optimal manner.

Through its interdisciplinary and practical, but also research-oriented approach, it will be possible for graduates not only to adhere to a prescribed workflow, but also to develop new solutions and methods and thus excel as pioneers of the architectural methodologies of the future.

The changing social conditions are placing new demands on the architectural profession throughout the world. Graduates of the study programs at the Faculty of Architecture at the Technical University of Munich have the necessary skills to assume a leading role in the planning processes of future global markets.
The national and international fields of activity lie in regionally active architectural offices as well as in architecture firms operating globally, in product and materials development, in the fields of architectural technology, business consulting, in public as well as private administrations and in positions in the building industry.

Students can focus on the following areas:

• Integrated Building Technology
• Cultural Heritage, History and Criticism
• Urban Landscape and Transformation

In detail:

• Program structure

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your German language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is German.

• Information on exams
• Contact Examination Board
• Information on studying abroad

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 4,000 euros per semester.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master's program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment allows the TUM school or department to which you are applying the opportunity to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more  
• Important information about your application from the TUM school or department

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Letter of Motivation
• Portfolio of Work
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for the winter semester: 01.04. – 31.05.

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school or department determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its master’s degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your bachelor's program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected or invited to an admissions interview. 

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• Information on the Aptitude Assessment (German) (PDF 297 KB)