Since time immemorial, a degree in architecture has always been an elite choice of career. Architects are known for their analytical skills, as well as their creativity and artistic nature.
Being an architect gives you more exposure to designing and constructive aesthetics of buildings. Creating tangible structures from your vision, using your imagination and creativity is extremely rewarding, and probably the most exciting part of your career.
However, the process to become an architect requires a lot of perseverance, patience, and zeal. The degree is alone of 4-5 years (depending on the architectural schools you have chosen), comprising of a never-ending workload, internships, and a strict focus on minute details.
That said, the growing popularity of the degree across the country due to its high flying, well-paying, and glamorous aura is the reason behind so many architectural schools. Courses and diplomas in the field are also available in various colleges and universities across the country.
Here’s a List of the Top 5 Architectural Schools Across the World
1. University College London (UCL)
The UCL has been ranked the top university in the world for its school of architecture. Known as the Barlett School of Architecture, it is a public research department located in England and is a dream for many aspiring architecture students.
The architectural school offers a diverse range of experiences to its students and aims to develop their design ideas and creativity into a vibrant and exciting portfolio.
The three-year bachelor’s in Architecture (BSc. Arch) is divided into two parts, where the first year circles around “design studio projects”. The curriculum is crafted with great emphasis on helping students in developing their observational skills, analytical thinking, and expressing their abstract ideas using 3-D models. This is clubbed with intense lectures on the history, basis, and philosophy of architecture, as well as the technology used.
The second and third year in the architectural school involves more practicals than theoretical lectures. The school organizes many lectures, workshops, and seminars with the best faculty to strengthen the foundation of the students in every aspect of the course. Assessments are held through written examinations, essays, and assignments.
Many confuse its course of architecture with interior design. The ongoing debate of Architecture Vs. Interior Design is put to an end by the UCL with their dynamic course of Architectural Design, for design enthusiasts with a creative frame of mind.
The approximate tuition fees for international students range from £19,000 to £29,000.
Recommended Read: Architecture Vs. Interior Design: How Are The Two Careers Different?
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Founded in 1861, MIT is a private research university in the United States reputed for its school of architecture to be the second-best in the world.
The MA (Arch) is a course of 3.5 years and is based on the concept of contemporary application and practice with an aim for excellence in the discipline. Their top-notch faculty guides their students in finding the various aspects in the ecosystem that can be channelized in architecture.
The institute has a state-of-the-art studio for imparting basic knowledge of the field while high-tech intermediate studios for practicals, and other experimental workshops.
The course offers several insightful seminars, workshops, and lectures along with conducting research projects for the benefit of the budding architects. The architectural school also presents them with an opportunity to work with some architectural authorities of the state as interns, and for extra certifications and credits.
The institute also offers many similar courses to architecture for students with a philosophical, research, scientific or cultural bent of mind. Degrees such as SMArchS (Master of Science in Architecture Studies), SMArchS History, Theory, and Criticism of Architecture and Art, and Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture are also very popular among students.
Approximate Tuition Fees: $23,000.
3. Harvard University
One of the Ivy League institutions of the United States, Harvard University has always been in the top 5 universities in the world.
Harvard’s Department of Architecture is known for its diverse and rich community, scholarships, and collaborations.
The students of the architectural school are completely exposed to varied design approaches, taught by the best international faculty from across the globe.
The institute focuses on imparting to the students, deep knowledge of design, construction, and challenges of the field along with the philosophy of architecture, and history.
Additional choice of courses for extra credits and expertise includes visual studies, technology, and design studio.
The school is equipped with the best infrastructure and study aid, a vast library, high-tech media halls for presentations, and open access to fabrication technologies giving the young minds to develop, discover, discuss and formulate their theories and ideas while working with the best of all possible resources.
The architectural school prides itself on its student experience, enriching its curriculum with an assortment of guest lectures, public programs, and exhibitions. The institute guides its students to become an architect under the tutelage of globally acclaimed professionals in the field or related fields.
Approximate Tuition Fees: $18,000
Recommended Read: How to Become an Architect?
4. Delft University of Technology
Based in the Netherlands, the Dutch University has a very good reputation for its architectural school. It offers a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Urbanism, and Building Sciences, under a renowned faculty focused primarily on developing their students’ spatial aptitude, and creativity skills.
The students are made to engage with related fields such as engineering, architectural theory, and design in an interdisciplinary curriculum to become all-rounded, and experienced professionals.
5. ETH Zurich
The ETH Zurich is a renowned university in Switzerland, popular its courses in various Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology.
The all-encompassing curriculum designed by the most experienced faculty focuses on architectural design, construction, and fundamentals of art using scientific principles, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences.
Conclusion
Many great colleges and universities provide extensive curriculums in architecture for undergraduates and postgraduate students.
Confused about what college to choose? Mindler is here for you!
Mindler is an ed-tech organization that provides career counselling services to students of class VIII to students planning to pursue higher education. We aim to guide students towards their suited career paths with an in-depth assessment, research, and analysis. The architectural school of your dreams awaits with Mindler’s Career Counseling Online.
Do you want to experience the ins and outs of architecture before opting for it as a career? Then you should join our ‘Virtual Internship Programs’ in Architecture and get yourself upskilled and certified by Mindler and resolve all your career doubts.
