Master in Architecture, MSc in Engineering

Master in Architecture, MSc in Engineering is one of 5 English-taught Architecture programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 3 institutions. 5 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 6,500 to EUR 9,000; this programme lists EUR 7,455 a year. 5 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.

The MSc in Engineering in Architecture at Aalborg University is a two-year, English-taught master's programme for students who want to combine architectural design with engineering. You learn to draw and model energy-neutral buildings and sustainable architecture, working with environmentally friendly materials, constructions and user-oriented design.

What you study

The programme is built around environmentally and socially sustainable architecture and tectonic design, meaning the distinctive design of material and structural elements. You combine aesthetic, technical and functional energy and comfort parameters during the design process to create architecture with a good indoor climate and low environmental impact. You work with both physical and virtual models, using modern technology to create new architecture. The aim is to train you to combine architectural design and aesthetics with technical expertise from the engineering profession.

Courses are organised into modules. On the first semester, you take Advanced Integrated Design I: Sustainable-tectonic Design with Integrating of Structure, Site and Climate Conditions (5 ECTS) and Advanced Integrated Design II: Green Building Strategies with Focus on Energy and Emission Assessment (5 ECTS). On the second semester, you choose two of four electives under Advanced Integrated Design III (10 ECTS): Critical-experimental Studies in Computation and Performance-aided Design to Support Sustainable-tectonic Design Thinking; Critical-experimental Studies in Acoustics and Materiality to Support Sustainable-tectonic Design Thinking; Critical-experimental Studies in Life Cycle Assessment and Materiality to Support Sustainable-tectonic Design Thinking; or Critical-experimental Studies in Social Sustainability, Health and Wellbeing to Support Sustainable-tectonic Design Thinking. On the third semester, you choose either Academic Paper Writing or Advanced Integrated Design IV: Extended Construction Management, Project Design and Life Cycle Cost Estimates (5 ECTS). Electives are offered if at least 12 students register.

How the programme is organised

The programme runs over four semesters, from September to January and February to June, with January and June partly reserved for exams. Each semester is divided into three or four course modules and one project module. The first semester project is Sustainable-Tectonic Architecture: Integrating Social Sustainability and Climate Impact (20 ECTS). The second semester project is Explorations and Experiments in Sustainable-Tectonic Architectural Design (20 ECTS). On the third semester, you take an independent project worth 25 ECTS, choosing between research, practice or development in architectural design-engineering. The fourth semester is the Master's Thesis (30 ECTS). All courses are taught in English.

You can choose to do an internship or an external study on the third semester. An internship lets you collaborate with a company or institution on your project work and apply the theoretical skills from the first two semesters. An external study at another university in Denmark or abroad must be approved by the Board of Studies as part of your degree through credit transfer.

Teaching is research based, and lecturers do research in the fields they teach. You work in groups on projects, often with real cases from companies and institutions, which gives you experience with cross-disciplinary and intercultural collaboration and project management.

Who it suits

This programme suits you if you want to work with building design, the transformation of existing buildings, tectonic design and a good indoor climate. The construction industry has a growing focus on sustainability, climate adaptation, life cycle analyses, energy efficiency, user control and digitalisation of the design and construction process. You should be comfortable combining aesthetics, technology and functionality, and you should want hands-on experience with the entire architectural design process, from concept development to project engineering.

Admission, language and next steps

The programme is taught in English. To apply, you need to meet the admission requirements, which are set out on the programme's admission page. Applications for master's programmes go directly to Aalborg University. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland study free of charge; other students pay a fee set by the institution. The study start is September. You can find the curriculum and contact student counsellors for guidance.

Master’s applications go straight to Aalborg University, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.