Architecture B. A.

Architecture is more than designing buildings – it shapes our future. The Bachelor’s degree program in Architecture (B.A.) equips you with the creative and technical skills to responsibly tackle complex construction tasks. Topics such as climate adaptation, resource conservation, and CO₂ reduction are just as central as creative design practice and a holistic understanding of our built environment.

You can find more information in the program documentation.

In the Architecture program at TUM, you combine creative design with technical and theoretical knowledge. You learn to plan building structures, work creatively, and reflect on architectural concepts from historical, artistic, and scientific perspectives. At the core is design – as a tool for innovative solutions. You develop prototypes, analyze sites and contexts, and learn to shape architectural interventions responsibly. In this way, you acquire the skills to manage planning processes and actively contribute to the transition toward climate neutrality.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture (B.A.), you are well prepared for a wide range of roles in architecture and planning offices, public administration, or interdisciplinary project teams. You combine design expertise with a responsible approach to resources, cultural diversity, and societal needs.
Your studies enable you to address building tasks with contextual sensitivity and actively shape planning processes – with a focus on sustainability and quality of life. After at least two years of professional experience, you can obtain the professional qualification as an architect.

For this degree program, in addition to a Higher Education Entrance Qualification (HZB) and German language proficiency, you must meet the following program-specific competencies :

1. Ability to think and act analytically and in a structured manner in relation to complex, highly interdisciplinary problems addressed by architecture and planning.
2. Spatial and visual imagination.
3. Basic understanding of construction-related and design-related issues.
4. Strong language skills in German and English.

As part of the admission process, your suitability for the program will be assessed based on the average grade of your HZB and the result of a test, in accordance with the competencies listed above.
Further information on the test and admission process.

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Proof of Internships or Professional Experience (optional)
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist - for international applicants only

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

Please consider the specific requirements for documents for application and enrollment at TUM.

General Procedure

Selection is carried out through an aptitude assessment procedure. This is a procedure in which your suitability for the specific competencies required in the Bachelor’s program is evaluated.

The following parameters are included in the assessment:

1. Higher Education Entrance Qualification
2. Aptitude Test

In the aptitude assessment procedure, your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) (50%) and the points you achieve in the mandatory aptitude test for all applicants (50%) are considered. The HZB is converted to a scale of 0–100, and the test is also scored from 0–100. The points are then combined. If you achieve 70 points or more, you will be admitted. (For more details, see Aptitude Assessment for Bachelor’s Programs and the Aptitude Assessment for BA-AR.)

Dates

Two test dates are scheduled per application phase. Applicants are assigned to a date by the TUM School of Engineering and Design’s School Office at least one week in advance. The assigned date depends largely on the progress of your application review. The assigned test date must be observed.

Test dates are always published shortly before the start of the application period under Current Information.

Procedure

The test is held in person and lasts 60 minutes, consisting of about 30 tasks. Most tasks are in German; up to 10% may be in English. Permitted aids will be specified in your invitation.

The test covers three main areas:

1. Spatial and Architectural Understanding:
   • Ability to capture architectural space and spatial relationships through drawings and written descriptions.
   • Design skills in two-dimensional and spatial drawing.
   • Abstract thinking and reduction to essentials.
   • Basic knowledge of architecture and the built environment (urban design, buildings, details).
2. Constructive and Graphic Understanding:
   • Ability to capture and represent existing geometries and constructions.
   • Understanding and translating two-dimensional and spatial representations.
   • Identifying and explaining constructive principles, such as vertical load-bearing.
3. Cultural and Socio-Historical Understanding of Architecture:
   • Understanding the cultural dimension of architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture.
   • Recognizing societal functions and roles.
   • Developing an awareness of historical perspectives and contexts.

Task types include:

• Multiple-choice: Select the correct answer from given options.
• Open-ended questions: Written responses to open questions.
• Drawing tasks: Graphic solutions to given problems.

The maximum score is 100 points, with each of the three competency areas weighted equally (one-third each).

Are you already studying at a university and would now like to continue your studies at TUM? A transfer to this degree program is generally possible; however, you should take note of the following cases:

Case 1: You are studying at a TU9-University

• Your examination entitlement at your current university must still be valid.
• If your examination entitlement at your current university is no longer valid, enrollment in this program is not possible.

• If the examination entitlement is valid, a transfer is possible. Your study periods at your current university will be officially recognized, and you will be placed in the corresponding semester (no certificate for semester classification required). Please note TUM’s requirements for the number of credits to be earned by the end of each semester (Study Progress Monitoring, APSO §10):

  • Bachelor

       After 3rd semester:     at least 30 credits
       After 4th semester:     at least 60 credits
       After 5th semester:     at least 90 credits
       After 6th semester:     at least 120 credits
       After 7th semester:     at least 150 credits
       After 8th semester:     at least 180 credits
       After 9th semester:     at least 210 credits
       After 10th semester:   at least 240 credits

  • Master

       After 3rd semester:     at least 30 credits
       After 4th semester:     at least 60 credits
       After 5th semester:     at least 90 credits
       After 6th semester:     at least 120 credits

• If you are placed in a higher semester at the start of your studies but only a few credits are recognized (e.g., because some modules you completed do not exist at TUM or are not equivalent), you will have less time to meet the above requirements. In the worst case, this could lead to deregistration.
• It is not possible to determine in advance to what extent your previous achievements will be recognized. The official recognition process begins only after enrollment.

Casel 2: You are not studying at a TU9-University

We recommend applying for the first semester in either the summer or winter semester. Depending on the number of recognized credits, you will then be placed in a higher semester. Applications for recognition can only be submitted after enrollment at TUM.

You must submit a semester placement certificate (preliminary process) in addition to the other application documents. Please contact the Departmental Student Advisor for BA (Studies & Examinations) or Departmental Student Advisor for MA (Studies & Examinations) by email for this purpose. Include the following information in your email:

• Your applicant number
• The estimated number of credits you will bring
• The name of the university where the credits were earned

If you can provide proof of at least 30 credits from your previous degree program, entry in the summer semester is possible.

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Higher Education Entrance Qualification (authentic document)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)
• For applicants to a higher subject semester: semester placement certificate (see Application to a higher subject semester)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Please consider the specific requirements for documents for application and enrollment at TUM.

Further information on accepting your study place.

Introductory Event

At the beginning of the winter semester, an official introductory event is held for all new Bachelor’s students in Architecture.

Study Plan and Course Schedule

• General overview of the eight-semester program curriculum: Study Plan.
• Further information on the structure of the program.
• Information on semester-specific course schedules.

Certificates

For questions regarding certificates (e.g., credits for BAföG applications, orphan’s pension, program-related documents, standard period of study, etc.), please contact your Departmental Student Advisor (Studies & Examinations).

Architecture Student Council (Fachschaft)

The Architecture Student Council represents the interests of architecture students at TUM. It serves as the voice of the students and also represents them in university politics through various committees and commissions.
During the semester, the Student Council organizes small and large events to foster strong connections among students from different semesters and is the first point of contact for requests, problems, and questions.

All students are subject to the General Examination and Study Regulations (APSO) of TUM, which:

• Regulate the structure of the degree program
• Define how examinations are conducted
• Determine deadlines and procedures

Specific information is provided in the respective Program-Specific Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO). Here you can find the current FPSO 2022. For older versions, please click here.

The FPSO is supplemented by the module catalog, which is updated each semester: Current Module Catalog B.A. AR for FPSO 2022.

Study progress monitoring is regulated in the APSO and, for program-specific rules, in the FPSO. Please note the deadlines listed in §38 FPSO in conjunction with §10 APSO:

• At least one of the module examinations listed in Annex 1 of the FPSO from the compulsory modules must be successfully completed by the end of the second semester.
• The following minimum credit totals must be achieved on time: 

     After 3rd semester:     at least 30 credits
     After 4th semester:     at least 60 credits
     After 5th semester:     at least 90 credits
     After 6th semester:     at least 120 credits
     After 7th semester:     at least 150 credits
     After 8th semester:     at least 180 credits
     After 9th semester:     at least 210 credits
     After 10th semester:   at least 240 credits

Students receive Notification of Examination Results after each semester from the Graduation Office and Academic Records – either via email informing them that the notice is available for download in TUMonline, or directly by post.
The notice lists all examinations taken so far with grades and credits; it serves as a control document. It also informs students about the resulting legal consequences. For questions regarding examination notices, please contact your Departmental Student Advisor (Studies & Examinations).

The Examination Board is responsible for all matters related to examinations. It oversees the implementation of all examination procedures and makes necessary decisions unless these are assigned to examiners by APSO or required during the examination process. It also decides on requests such as deadline extensions or hardship cases during the course of study. The board meets once per semester.

Composition:

• Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Florian Nagler (Chair)
• Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Alexander von Kienlin (Deputy Chair)
• Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Auer
• Prof. Dr. sc. ETH Benedikt Boucsein
• Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Uta Graff

> Contact: Secretary Sabine Selzle

Disadvantage Compensation

A disability or chronic illness can affect your studies. To ensure you receive appropriate support, we consider both the requirements of your program and your individual needs. Please contact the Departmental Student Advisor (Studies & Examinations).

Disadvantage Compensation helps to offset study and examination difficulties caused by impairments:

• They are determined individually and based on the situation, not applied generally.
• The arrangement depends on your impairment and the program.
• Important: Compensation for disadvantages is not a simplification – the performance objectives of the examination and study regulations remain unchanged.
• Please apply for compensation as early as possible!

Further information

The course schedules for the 1st to 4th semesters (compulsory modules) will be sent to you by email at the beginning of the semester. Please note that changes may still occur. All information is available in real time on TUMonline.

From the 5th semester onward, you create your own timetable individually via TUMonline / Course Offerings:

• Please register for the desired courses in TUMonline (via your study plan).
• Then go to the calendar in TUMonline.
• There you can choose the view (e.g., week, month).
• You can always see all the courses you have selected.
• If anything changes in TUMonline, it will automatically be updated in your calendar.

All important and up-to-date information on semester scheduling, lecture periods as well as lecture-free periods, key deadlines (e.g., application, leave of absence, enrollment, and re-registration), as well as public holidays and student council meetings can be found under Dates and Deadlines on the TUM website.

• Places in project work for Architecture students are not allocated via TUMonline as in other courses, but through the Project Market.
• The Project Market is the allocation system for project work from the 5th semester onward in the Bachelor’s program in Architecture (including thesis projects) as well as all project work in the Master’s program in Architecture.
• The system is designed to ensure fair allocation of students. As with all elective offerings, a place in a specific project cannot be guaranteed. By indicating four or more preferences, students’ interests are considered as best as possible.
• All students who wish to participate in project allocation must have a valid TUM ID! If your enrollment has not yet been completed at the time of project allocation, you can request a one-time account by emailing studienorganisation.ad(at)ed.tum.de.

Timeline

• At the beginning of each semester, project topics are presented in a hybrid format. The date for the project presentation and the project topics are published shortly before the semester starts under Current Information.
• In advance, you can enter your project preferences in the Project Market starting April 1 for the summer semester and October 1 for the winter semester. At least four different preferences must be indicated.
• On the day of the project presentation, the Project Market closes at 1:00 PM. The results are sent to the chairs by email on the same day and are visible to students in the Project Market.
• Central reallocation of project places: For students who were not allocated a place in the first round, a “Project Market Reallocation” will be set up. Two to three days after the first allocation round, remaining project places will be listed, and students can enter their preferences in the reallocation system. Further information will be provided via email.

User guide for the Project Market (German).

Review the modules listed in your subject-specific examination regulations (FPSO). Modules that have already been successfully completed cannot be taken again. This also applies if the course is offered under a different topic or subtitle. If you re-enroll in modules you have already completed, no credits will be awarded.

Please check your exam details regularly in TUMonline, especially shortly before the exams, to see if there are any changes.

Important for Bachelor Students in Semesters 1–4: You will be registered for exams in compulsory modules by the Departmental Student Advisor (Studies & Examinations).
Exceptions:
1. Project Building Typology (4th semester) – registration via the chair or self-registration
2. Repeat/make-up exams (for projects, compulsory, or elective modules) – self-registration

For the Bachelor’s Thesis, no exam registration (neither for the project nor the colloquium) via TUMonline is required. Further details on thesis registration are available separately.

Exact registration dates are published in TUMonline and must be strictly observed. You will receive an email from your program advisor before the start and shortly before the end of the registration period.

Exam Registration

A guide for exam registration can be found in the Wiki for central IT topics and generally for TUMonline at: https://www.it.tum.de/it/tumonline/studieren/

Register for all exams for courses you attend in the respective semester. Only if you are properly registered in TUMonline can the Professor access your account and enter your exam results.

If you encounter problems with exam registration, contact the Departmental Student Advisor for BA (Studies & Examinations) or Departmental Student Advisor for MA (Studies & Examinations) by email promptly (within the registration period).

Exam Deregistration

Deregistration is only possible in TUMonline up to seven days before the exam date. Weekdays and weekends are treated equally.

Repeat Exams

Repeat exams usually take place in the following semester. However, always check with the responsible chair. For all repeat/make-up exams – whether for compulsory or elective modules – you must register independently via TUMonline.

Leave of Absence

If you are on leave for a semester, you cannot take exams for the first time. However, you may retake failed exams.

Exception: If you are on leave due to maternity protection, parental leave, or caring for close relatives, you may take exams for the first time.

Further information on leave of absence (BA or MA) is available online.

1. If you plan to complete your Bachelor’s Thesis, inform the Departmental Student Advisor (Studies & Examinations) in the previous semester (by the end of December for a thesis in the summer semester or by the end of June for a thesis in the winter semester). This inquiry is included in the information email about exam registration each semester.
2. You will then receive the thesis registration form (German) and a declaration of authorship (German).
3. The form must be fully completed and signed by both parties (student and supervising chair) and submitted to the School Office (Room 1321). Please observe the deadlines stated in the form (usually April for the summer semester and October for the winter semester). Once the completed form is submitted, the official registration of the thesis is processed by your program advisor.
4. Workspaces are allocated by the respective chairs.
5. Submit the completed and signed declaration of authorship when handing in your thesis to the Professor.

Selection of Thesis Project

• Thesis projects are allocated via the Project Market, just like regular project work. See more on project allocation.
• The date for the project presentation and the project topics are published shortly before the semester starts under Current Information.

Submission of Thesis

• Submission and presentation of the thesis usually take place about 15 weeks after the start of the thesis. Further details will be provided by your supervising chair.

Credits can be recognized provided there is no significant difference in the competencies to be acquired. Verification is carried out by the respective module coordinator. Recognition can only be granted for modules or examinations for which no examination process has yet begun at TUM in the current degree program (i.e., no exam has been registered). According to the Enrollment Statutes §4 (5) of 06.02.2023, the semester level is increased by one semester for every 30 recognized credits; if more than 22 additional credits are recognized, the level is increased by another semester.

Recognition of Achievements Completed Before Studying at TUM

• After enrollment, contact your Departmental Student Advisor (Studies & Examinations) and arrange an appointment.
• Please bring the transcript of your previous degree program from which you wish to have credits recognized.
• The prerequisite for recognition of achievements not completed at TUM is their equivalence. This means that the acquired knowledge and skills must not differ significantly from the content of the corresponding modules at TUM (based on Art. 63 BayHschG and §16 APSO). Verification is carried out by the respective module coordinator.
• For the subsequent application for recognition, please use the following form: Recognition Form.
• The application for recognition of examinations completed before the start of the current program can only be submitted once and must be within the first year of study.

Recognition from the Mandatory Study Abroad

• In the Bachelor’s program in Architecture at TUM, a study abroad period of at least one semester at a foreign university or institution related to the program content is mandatory, during which typically 30 credits per semester are earned.
• Successful participation is confirmed by the awarding of credits by the host university or institution.
• After your study abroad, you will receive a transcript/confirmation of the modules you attended. Please send this promptly to your Departmental Student Advisor (Studies & Examinations). Recognition will be processed by the School Office. You do not need a recognition form.
• Uploading the after-mobility documents in MoveOn is an independent process. The School Office does not have access to MoveOn.

General Information

• Important reasons are required for a leave of absence during your studies. Here you can find recognized reasons and further important information on leave of absence.
• The application for leave must be submitted no later than the first day of lectures of the semester in which you wish to take leave. Supporting documents, such as an internship contract, can be submitted later.
• A leave of absence is usually granted for one semester and should not exceed two semesters per person during the entire course of study.
• During a leave semester, students remain enrolled; however, the semester counts only as a university semester and is not included in the standard period of study. First-time exams are not permitted, but repeat exams may be taken.
• During a leave of absence, theses cannot be registered or submitted. An exception applies for a second attempt. Interrupting the thesis processing period with a leave semester is also not possible (exception: parental leave).

Internship (Voluntary)

• Neither the Bachelor’s nor the Master’s program in Architecture includes a mandatory internship in the curriculum.
• Completing a voluntary internship is still possible.
• To obtain a leave of absence for an internship, the internship must cover at least half of the lecture period (see TUM Leave of Absence Information). The Admissions and Enrollment Office also requires written approval from the School Office. Please send your request to the Departmental Student Advisor for BA (Studies & Examinations) or Departmental Student Advisor for MA (Studies & Examinations). The statement will be issued once a copy of the internship contract or confirmation of the required duration is provided.

Study Abroad (Master)

Studying at a university abroad is a recognized reason for a leave of absence at TUM. We strongly recommend taking a leave of absence for a study abroad semester in the Master’s program to avoid conflicts with study progress monitoring.

In the Bachelor’s program in Architecture, no leave of absence is required for the mandatory study abroad semester.

We encourage you to think globally during your studies.

In the eight-semester Bachelor’s program in Architecture, the semester abroad is an integral part of the curriculum and therefore mandatory for all students (see the Program-Specific Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO).

You can find all information and your options regarding studying abroad in the TUM ED Wiki.

Statutes & Regulations

• General Examination and Study Regulations (APSO)
• Program-Specific Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
• Current Module Catalog B.A. AR for FPSO 2022
• Current Statutes on the Aptitude Assessment Procedure B.A. AR (German)
• Older Regulations

Program Structure

• Study Plan  
• Program Documentation (German)

Bachelor's Thesis

• Thesis Registration Form (German)
• Declaration of Authorship (German)

Additional Information

• User guide for the Project Market (German)
• Recognition Form