Study Architecture in Europe: Degree Length, Admission Tests and Recognition
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Becoming an architect takes at least five years of study everywhere in Europe, but countries package those years differently, and several add an aptitude test on top of school grades. Our catalogue lists 211 architecture programmes at 180 institutions in 7 countries.
Routes by country
- Spain. A five-year degree in the fundamentals of architecture, followed by a one-year qualifying master's. 28 programmes; access scores at public universities ran from 5 to 11.09 out of 14. Architecture in Spain.
- Italy. Either a single five-year degree or three years plus a two-year master's. Places are limited and the admission test is held on a nationally set date. 46 programmes, 7 in English. Architecture in Italy.
- France. Architecture is taught at national schools of architecture, not at universities: three years to the first diploma, two more to the state diploma. The schools select on Parcoursup from the application file, often with an interview. The typical registration fee in our catalogue is €390 a year. Architecture in France.
- Germany. A bachelor's degree of three or four years plus a master's. 71 programmes at universities, universities of applied sciences and art academies; some require an aptitude test or a pre-study internship. Architecture in Germany.
- Portugal. A five-year integrated master's. 19 programmes, closing between 149.8 and 178.8 out of 200. Architecture in Portugal.
- Czechia. Bachelor's and master's programmes with talent exams that include drawing. Architecture in Czechia.
- Switzerland. Three years of bachelor and two of master at the federal institutes, the academy in Mendrisio and universities of applied sciences. Architecture in Switzerland.
Aptitude tests and portfolios
Where there is a talent exam or portfolio review, it usually takes place months before the general application deadline. Czech faculties and some German and Swiss schools work this way. Check dates a full year ahead, and ask the school what the drawing test contains; many publish past tasks.
What it costs
Typical fees for EU students at public institutions: no tuition in Germany, €697 a year in Portugal, €1,061 a year in Spain and €2,401 a year in Italy before income-based reductions. Architecture is priced in the higher, studio-based band in countries that charge by type of degree. Add the cost of model-making materials, printing and software, which the fee does not cover.
Recognition
Architecture is one of the professions with automatic recognition in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, but only for the specific diplomas listed in the EU directive, and only after the full route: the qualifying master's in Spain, the state diploma and practice authorisation in France, the master's degree plus chamber registration in Germany. A three-year bachelor's degree alone does not give access to the profession anywhere.
Where to look next
Official sources
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.