Architecture

Curriculum

Master programme
Duration: 6 Semesters
Programme Number: 066 443

This is the English translation of the original German version. Only the latter is legally binding.

Approved by the Senate of the University of Applied Arts Vienna

on 31 March 2011

last modified 20 June 2017.

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§ 1. Preamble
The Institute of Architecture at the University of Applied Arts Vienna is a laboratory for the future. In their personal
dealings with high-profile teaching staff, students have the opportunity to gather experience that turns information
into knowledge. The ongoing discussion of the relation between theory and practice gives students an insight into
the reality of design, allowing them to understand what it means to make architecture.
The design studios are marked by knowledge transfer in small groups, which unites all students through common
topics in order to test the paradigms of contemporary architecture by way of example. Students work in teams with
the intensive supervision and assistance of highly qualified figures from the field of architecture. The main
emphasis from the outset is on design, the elaboration of concepts, and a complex examination of architecture.
The programme encourages the creative association of related topics. Integrated into the design work in the
studios, the teaching in the technical and theoretical subjects is organised around the elaboration of a strategic
understanding of the realisation, theoretical background, and management, practice and communication of design
projects.
Realisation comprises the integration of technical disciplines throughout the entire design process; management
and practice deal with the dynamics of the economic, ecological, and political structures of the profession. Theory
imparts an understanding of the cultural and societal contexts of the discipline, while the topic of communication
enables students and practising graduates to defend and carry out their designs and associated concepts in a
convincing manner.
In this way, in addition to honing the students’ artistic design potential, the aim is to convey the ability to efficiently
collaborate, which is crucial in subsequent professional practice, as well as the critical responsibility of architects
toward their tasks. Strategic thinking and visual culture enable communication within the discipline as well as
engagement with various interests in society.

§ 2. Qualification profile
The field of activity that the students will be prepared for and for which the master thesis project qualifies them is
in a perpetual state of flux, one that has been rapidly accelerating, above all, since the advent of digital data
processing and the virtualisation of architecture – and it will only continue to increase in speed. Graduates
possess a high level of flexibility with which to adapt to new situations and have firm command over the latest
technologies and tools. This prepares them for all architectural tasks, from spatial planning to interior design, and
gives them the requisite organisational skills needed to tackle an increasingly complex production process. In view
of globalisation and the predominance of economic calculation, prospective planning becomes particularly
important. Graduates have been trained to think strategically, allowing them to anticipate future scenarios so as to
react to their complexity with commensurate solutions.
Architecture is the three-dimensional expression of a society. Accordingly, as mentioned in the preamble, the
programme is geared toward the acquisition of technical and theoretical knowledge in connection with the
development of design ideas. However, it also gives students an awareness of the fact that architecture is part of
culture and that they bear a responsibility with regard to the given tasks. By critically reflecting on “practical
necessities” and standardised procedures, their specific expertise regarding space and organisation enables them
to devise solutions to current and, above all, future problems and to meet the demands of society.
This is possible thanks to an educational training that encourages collaboration and imparts to the students the
necessary tools and platforms for communication. Work in the design studios trains an openness between various
disciplines, and the master programme intensifies this close interaction all the more as it is now possible to
increase the intensity of studies on the structure and the solving of tasks to an advanced level.
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§ 3. Admission
(1) Prerequisites for admission to the master programme are:
a) proof of artistic aptitude by way of an entrance examination and
b) completion of a bachelor degree programme in architecture of international standard at a recognised
national or foreign post-secondary educational institution, which together with the master programme will
meet the requirements of the article 46 of the guidelines 2005/36/EG.
(2) In the application process, applicants must submit a portfolio of their previous work and a biography with
previous studies and professional activity, including all relevant diplomas, if necessary in certified translation.
(3) The entrance examination is carried out by an examination committee and is divided into two stages:
a) portfolio
b) personal interview
(4) The entrance examination is considered to have been successfully completed when the examination committee
grants a positive assessment for both parts.

§ 4. Scope, Academic Degree, Language

(1) The master degree programme in architecture is an engineering sciences programme in accordance with § 54,
para. 1 of the University Act 2002. It comprises 180 ECTS credits over a period of six semesters.
(2) Upon successful completion of the programme, the student is awarded the academic degree “Master of
Architecture” (MArch).
(3) The programme is taught in English.

§ 5. Architectural Design, Expertise, Integration, Free Topics

(1) The courses in the master programme are divided into four areas: Architectural Design, Expertise, Integration,
and Free Topics.
(2) 75 ECTS must be completed in Architectural Design.
(3) 65 ECTS must be completed in Expertise. This area is divided into the three subject groups: “Realisation”,
“Theory”, and “Management, Practice and Communication”. Each subject group contains core and supplementary
subjects.
(4) 24 ECTS must be completed in the subject group “Realisation” from a range of courses totalling a minimum of
30 ECTS. The core subjects are:
1. Building Construction
2. Structural Design
3. Energy Design
4. Digital Design and Digital Production
(5) 16 ECTS must be completed in the subject group “Theory” from a range of courses totalling a minimum of 20
ECTS. The core subjects are:
1. History and Theory of Architecture
2. Applied Geometry and Mathematics
3. Theory of Science and Theory of Society
4. Theory of Living Spaces
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(6) 16 ECTS must be completed in the subject group “Management, Practice and Communication” from a range of
courses totalling a minimum of 24 ECTS. The core subjects are:
1. Management, Practice and Communication
a. Planning Management and Construction Management
b. Legal and Political Conditions of Architecture
2. Communication
a. Communication Strategies
b. Presentation and Visualisation Strategies
3. Experimental Strategies
a. Special Topics
(7) In addition, 9 ECTS from the subject groups “Realisation”, “Theory”, and “Management, Practice and
Communication” must be completed as integrated courses in connection with Architectural Design (Architectural
Design 5). Students will work on the contents of the various subjects based on their own designs. Integration
beyond this extent into the subject of Architectural Design is not only possible, it is explicitly recommended to both
teachers and students.
(8) In “Free Topics” 10 ECTS must be completed from the range of courses offered at the University of Applied Arts
Vienna or at other universities. The courses may be chosen for the purpose of individual deepening or expansion of
knowledge in specialist fields within or beyond the narrower field of architecture. Moreover, a successfully
completed traineeship in the form of qualified practical work experience at an architectural firm may be credited for
a total of 4 ECTS. Suitability of the traineeship as per § 78 para. 4 of the University Act 2002 must be confirmed
beforehand and in writing by a staff member entitled to make such decisions on behalf of Architectural Design;
otherwise the administrative body for study law will be unable to award academic recognition of this traineeship.

§ 6. Master thesis
(1) The master thesis, totalling 30 ECTS credits, concludes the programme and serves to prove the student’s ability
to handle a particular topic independently with regard to its content and method. It consists of a project to be
developed on a topic from the subject of Architectural Design and presented in appropriate professional form.
Integration of the subject groups “Realisation”, “Theory” and “Management, Practice and Communication” must be
documented appropriately.
(2) Before defining the subject of the master thesis, all mandatory examinations of the curriculum must be
successfully completed.

§ 7. Courses
(1) The subject Architectural Design is the central artistic subject in accordance with § 68, para. 2 of the University
Act 2002. It is offered as individual artistic tutoring1 in the form of five courses (Architectural Design 1 to 5), each
consisting of 15 ECTS.
(2) The courses in the area of Expertise are offered primarily in the form of seminars. Only courses comprising 3
ECTS may be completed in the subject group “Realisation”, and only courses comprising 4 ECTS in the subject
group “Management, Practice and Communication”. In the subject group “Theory”, courses of any number of
credits may be completed. Integrated courses must consist of 3 ECTS each.

1
Refer to the study law section of the university statutes for the definition of the course types.
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(3) The range of available Expertise courses is updated each semester. It must be ensured that students have an
adequate offering of courses from the core subjects every semester and that this selection is supplemented by
additional courses in such a manner that students have the opportunity for in-depth study to the extent stipulated
in § 5, para. 4 to 6. The disciplinary categorisation of courses in supplementary subjects must be determined in
consultation with the Curricular Committee.
(4) deleted
(5) In order to register for Architectural Design 5 and the related integrated courses in accordance with § 5, para.
7, Architectural Design 1 to 4 and the Expertise courses under § 5, para. 4 to 6 must have been completed
successfully.
(6) It is recommended to evenly distribute the “Free Topics”, which are personally chosen as per § 5, para. 8, over
the first five semesters of study.

§ 8. Examination regulations
(1) Course examinations
Course examinations are held by the heads of the courses. The examination contents, methods, and assessment
criteria must be announced in a suitable form before the beginning of each semester. In the case of integrated
courses, students are to especially provide evidence regarding their ability to integrate into their design work the
competencies that they acquired in the individual study subjects. The assessment is based on the level of depth
and quality at which the respective subject was integrated.
(2) Master examination
The master examination concludes the architectural degree programme. It consists of
1. The master thesis,
2. The examination committee’s assessment regarding the integration of subjects from the Expertise area
into the architectural design presented in the master thesis
3. The examinations in the study subject of Architectural Design, and
4. The examinations in the area of Expertise (Realisation, Theory, Management, plus Practice and
Communication)
(3) In the assessment of the master thesis, students must publicly present their thesis and discuss it with the
members of the examination committee. The composition of the examination committee is the responsibility of the
administrative body for study law, whereby examiners from the subject Architectural Design and from the three
groups of Expertise subjects are to be called upon based on the contents of the examination. Special consideration
must be given to the participation of qualified members from outside the university.
(4) Assessment of the master thesis pursuant to § 8 para. 2 subpara. 1 is carried out by the supervising tutor on
her/his own, whereas the assessment of a board examination pursuant to § 8 para. 2 subpara. 2 is carried out by
the members of the examination committee.

§ 9. Entry into force

This curriculum enters into force on 1 October 2014.

§ 10. Interim provisions

(1) Degree students of the diploma degree programme in architecture are entitled to switch to the master degree
programme if they already hold a bachelor degree in accordance with § 3, para. 1.
(2) Students who graduate from the diploma degree programme in architecture at the University of Applied Arts
Vienna are eligible for admission to the master programme within one and a half years without any additional
conditions. These students must complete 9 ECTS of integrated courses, Architectural Design 5, as well as the
master thesis and the examination by the committee in order to graduate.
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APPENDIX: Course of Study

ECTS ECTS
per sem. total
1st – 4th semester

Architectural Design 1 – 4 15 60

from the subject group Realisation: 6 24

2 courses, each consisting of 3 ECTS
Expertise

from the subject group Theory: 4 16

courses to be chosen

Free Topics
from the subject group Management, Practice and 4 16

10 ECTS
Communication:
1 course consisting of 4 ECTS

5th semester

Architectural Design 5 15 15
Integration

Expertise

from the subject groups Realisation, Theory, Management, 9 9

of

Practice and Communication:

3 integrated courses, each consisting of 3 ECTS

6th semester

Master Thesis 30 30

Total ECTS: 180