MSc Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences

The MSc Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences programme at TU Delft is underpinned by the renowned Dutch experience in architecture, spatial planning and the built environment professions and has an international orientation drawing on the multinational faculty of staff and students. The teaching approach borrows from the Dutch tradition of working in a multi-disciplinary way with students working in groups to create integrated solutions for the built environment.

Degree: Master of Science Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences

Credits: 120 EC, 24 months

Type: Full-time

Start: BSc Bouwkunde graduates can start in September and February. New students can only enrol in September.

Language of instruction: English

This programme sets itself apart from other architecture programmes in the diversity of directions available. Blending knowledge and skills from design practice, from the physical and social sciences, technology and engineering, this programme explores innovative ways to create more sustainable development.

Teaching draws on a very wide variety of examples of the built environment from the Netherlands and many other countries, encouraging students to actively share knowledge and experience. Students are able to develop an independent and academic attitude and are given the opportunity to design their own projects in the specialty of their choice, supported by an excellent infrastructure of model-making facilities, studio spaces and frequent excursions, workshops and seminars. The master’s programme is taught in English.

Students have to choose between five tracks:

Architecture

The Architecture track draws on the rich architectural culture of the Netherlands. Students learn how to develop innovative building projects that use design as a means to deal with the technical, social and spatial challenges encountered in the built environment.

Building Technology

The Building Technology track encompasses a broad spectrum of engineering and architectural design skills that lead to one of the dominant professions of the future: the sustainable designer. Through focusing on structural, façade and climate design, students learn how to contribute to smart buildings that are sustainable, comfortable and environmentally intelligent.

Landscape Architecture

The Landscape Architecture track deals with making space inspired by nature, art and technology whereby the formal, material and cultural qualities of the site form the departure of the design. The track teaches students to transform and create compositions ‘through’ scale, time and as a process.

Management in the Built Environment

The track Management in the Built Environment engages with the managerial dimension and processes of the built environment and the construction industry. Students learn how to manage the urban development and construction process so as to guide the many stakeholders to achieve high quality and financially rewarding development.

Urbanism

The Urbanism track draws on the Dutch tradition of combining urban design, landscape architecture, spatial planning and engineering. Students learn to integrate social, cultural, economic and political perspectives with the natural and man-made conditions of the site in order to shape and plan for more sustainable development.

Master tracks

Programme structure

The programme of each track consists of two years (120 EC). The first year forms the domain-specific basis, featuring three quarters with design, research, and theory courses, followed by a fourth quarter in which faculty electives concentrate on the discipline of the built environment: within a track (domain-specific), or in collaboration between tracks (intradisciplinary). The second year starts with an outward-facing fifth quarter with electives that are interdisciplinary (and interfacultary) or transdisciplinary (developed with societal partners), before the domain-specific graduation in three quarters. More information on the track-specific programmes can be found on the respective track pages under ‘Programme’.

After graduation

Once you have successfully completed the MSc Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences programme, you have a Master of Science degree (MSc).

With a diploma of the Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Urbanism track you can - after completion of a professional traineeship ('beroepservaringperiode') - apply for registration in the Dutch Register of Architects, which allows you to use the protected title of Architect, Landscape Architect or Urban Designer in the Netherlands. The Building Technology and Management in the Built Environment tracks, as well as the post-master programme The Berlage, do not allow you to register in the Dutch Register of Architects. Read more