Top Universities in the World to Study Architecture

Top Universities in the World to Study Architecture

One of the most lucrative industries in the global market is the property and real estate industry. It is no wonder that more students are choosing to study architecture which is the art and science of designing and engineering buildings. An architect’s responsibility is to come up with designs of structures. This is usually in terms of structural functionality, safety, and reliability. This is not a light responsibility and students who wish to pursue a career in this field are in search for the top architectural colleges. Below are the top five of the best architecture schools in the world.


The Bartlett School of Architecture (University College London) – United Kingdom

image © flickr

image © flickr

It has been a high-ranking institution having been voted as the top UK architectural university every year since 2001. The Barlett School of Architecture is innovative in their teaching, research, and study methods and they hosts a very prestigious annual exhibition annually. According to professionals from reliable writing platform Essay Writing Service, university students should prepare for rigorous assessment and interview before admission.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – United States

One of the pioneering STEM institutions in the world, MIT ensures that this is reflected in their architecture program. The class size is controlled to create the best environment for debates among the students and teachers which makes it rank quite high as among the best architecture universities. This means that application and acceptance are intense and only the best get in. The institution puts emphasis on sustainable architecture, especially where environmental solutions are concerned. 

Delft University of Technology – Netherlands

Delft University has a massive architecture program with their architectural college being the largest in the institution with over 3000 students. Their programs explore urbanism and building science on top of the more traditional and conventional architecture studies. It is, however, a little of a setback that the undergraduate courses are taught only in Dutch and international students have to learn the language before they take the classes. 

ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) – Switzerland

This is also an institution with a large architecture program of up to 2000 students. For the undergraduate course, it is a requirement that you learn German. Its application process varies as it depends on your home country and not all applicants have to take the entrance exam. ETH Zurich is world renowned for its emphasis on theoretical studies and does have a focus on environmental solutions as well. However, besides being a top architectural college, one of its major selling points is that Albert Einstein is an alumni. 

Harvard University – United States

Being one of the best architecture universities in the world, it boasts some of the most famous and influential landscapes and urban planners being its alumni. Harvard’s acceptance rates are low and one has to have really high grades and impeccable references to get in. This is why many students will seek assistance polishing their resumes. It runs quite revolutionary teaching practices and the courses are innovative and allow students to choose their focus between design, history, and theory architecture. 

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkley) – United States

This university is best known for not requiring students to submit a portfolio for the admission process, unlike many other top architectural universities. The school’s admission board focuses, instead, on evaluating the students’ ambitions, motivations, and general academic performance. It fosters research and encourages students to come up with as independent designs as possible. The architectural faculty is not short of award-winning professors and thinkers who ensure that a graduate from the school has a degree that not only focuses on theory but the aesthetic, technical, and cultural components of the architecture.

University of Cambridge – United Kingdom

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The University of Cambridge is quite deliberate in enrolling a small number of students for its architecture program. This ensures that every individual student gets dedicated time, focus, and workshop. This is a bid to ensure that every graduate who goes through the school’s program is well versed in all aspects of architecture. The institution has not made it in the top architectural universities list by being lax. As a result, the admission process is taxing and rigorous with students required to not only have excellent grades in art and mathematics but also submit drawings, a written essay, and an architectural portfolio to an interviewing panel. 

National University of Singapore – Singapore

This is ranked among the top architectural colleges for its fast-paced architecture program that is not only focused on designing buildings but also involves the creation of products and landscaping cities. For students who choose to remain in academia, it offers a robust Ph.D. program that has made its name in the market. Admission requirements are dependent on individual circumstances but excellent grades in mathematics and sciences like chemistry and physics are strong prerequisites in addition to an Architecture Admission Test that has to be taken.

Manchester School of Architecture - United Kingdom

This is one of the largest architectural universities in the UK that has combined two architecture schools and over 100 years in the educational experience. There is a major focus on the practical aspect of architecture with organized field trips both locally and abroad to experience all architectural practices in the world. With state-of-the-art studios and workshops, the school offers students a top-notch environment to study. The interviewing process seeks to understand students’ interest in the program in the form of a short statement as opposed to an interviewing panel. 

Tsinghua University – China

Seeing that it belongs in the elite league of Chinese universities, its architectural program must reflect this standard. There’s both a local and global focus on architecture where students are encouraged to consider China’s development as part of their studies on architectural principles and development. Admission to Tsinghua University is relatively friendly but primarily good grades in Mathematics and other sciences are mandatory. 


There is truly no shortage of universities that will equip you with the necessary skills to pursue a career in architecture. If you have the grades, the passion and your budget permits, then by all means to apply to one of the top architectural colleges. Upon admission, you will experience being with the crème de la crème of the learning industry. You will also enjoy the privilege of training from the best-qualified professors of architecture and building construction. Chances are that you will graduate with unrivalled command skills in all things architecture.


Author Bio: Allen Cranston is an analyst and resume writer. Allen committed to helping talented professionals show the world what he is truly capable of. Since launching in 2012, Allen has helped over 4,000 job applicants land their dream jobs for Resume That Works. He is constantly looking for new ways to help people achieve their career goals. Facebook, Twitter

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