Course structure

In order to be able to start studying at the Department of Architecture, an application for admission must be submitted in due form and time.

German and foreign prospective students with a German university entrance qualification (so-called "Bildungsinländer") and foreign applicants from a member state of the European Union apply for a study place directly at the KIT Office of Student Affairs:Central online application portal of the KIT

The topic of the practical task for the application to the Bachelor's degree programme for the winter semester 2024/25 is "Order and Chaos".

This theme should be addressed in the form of sketches, drawings, photos, or other representations (DIN A4, max. 5-10 pages) and should also be the subject of a short text (300 to 400 characters including spaces). Both the representations and the text should have an architectural reference. There is no further specification of the theme, as we would like to understand your interpretation. There are no sample examples either.
All documents must be submitted digitally in the application portal by the application deadline.

The practice-related task is not a test where one can fail but an opportunity to earn points for the ranking.

The most important prerequisite for studying architecture is a fundamental enthusiasm for the design of spaces, things and places. Spatial imagination, technical understanding, readiness for action and manual skills facilitate the entry into the study. An interest in art and architectural history as well as theoretical and social issues is also beneficial. The ability to work under pressure and a willingness to cooperate are further basic requirements. In addition, the general university entrance qualification or a comparable qualification is required for the application. The selection process takes into account general academic, subject-specific and other achievements.
An internship before starting and during the bachelor's program is not mandatory, but recommended.

Application is only possible for the winter semester .
Application deadline is 15.07. (cut-off deadline!).
The bachelor's degree program is admission-restricted.

Prerequisites for admission to the bachelor's degree program in architecture at KIT are:

1. one of the following degrees:
- General university entrance qualification,
- subject-linked university entrance qualification with technical orientation,
- or another qualification in the sense of § 58 para. 2 LHG

2. sufficient knowledge of the English language corresponding at least to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)*.

Selection procedure

The Bachelor's degree program is admission restricted. There are 156 study places available. After deduction of the preliminary quotas, the remaining study places are distributed via a selection procedure.

The selection procedure is based on the applicants' academic performance, the results of a practical task and any previous experience. Based on these achievements, a ranking is formed according to points.

1. result of the university entrance qualification (academic performance, weighting 60%):

The sum of the points achieved in the university entrance qualification is divided by 14 or 15 (max. 60 points).

2. practice-related task (weighting 30%):

To prove the subject-specific aptitude, applicants* must work on a topic issued by the selection committee and submit the result of their work in the form of sketches, drawings, photos or other forms of representation and a short text on the topic (300 - 400 characters incl. spaces), no originals, max. DIN A4, max. 5-10 pages, with the application.

The submitted performances will be evaluated separately by the members of the selection committee on a scale from 0 to 30 points.

3. previous experience (weighting 10%):

If available and proven, the following previous experience may be evaluated, provided that it gives particular indication of suitability for the intended course of study:

1. completed vocational training in a relevant profession (e.g. draftsman, carpenter) and previous professional experience relevant to the course of study, even without completed vocational training (max. 10 points)
2. practical activities, e.g. voluntary service (max. 5 points)
3. extracurricular achievements and qualifications, e.g. prizes and awards (max. 5 points)

The members of the selection committee evaluate the previous experiences separately on a scale from 0 to 10.

The points from a) to c) are added together, but the total cannot exceed 10 points.

* English language proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following internationally recognized tests:

1. Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 90 on the internet-based test or.
2. IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5 and no section below 5.5 or
3. University of Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or
4. University of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) or
5. UNIcert at least level II.

Proof of English proficiency by means of one of the above tests is not required for applicants with

• a university degree from a higher education institution with English as the sole language of instruction and examination; English as the sole and official language of the degree program completed must be indicated in the Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records, or degree certificate; other confirmations of the language of instruction and examination will not be accepted as proof of language proficiency;
• an Abitur certificate, whereby the foreign language must have been taken for at least 5 years of learning directly up to the degree entitling the holder to university admission, and the final or average grade of the last two years of learning the language must correspond to at least the German grade 4 (sufficient) or at least 5 points.

If the language certificate is missing at the time of application, the applicant can still be admitted in individual cases under the condition that he/she proves the language certificate by the end of the matriculation period.

Application guide for the bachelor's degree program in architecture at KIT

Download Pdf

To the KIT application portal

The application portal usually opens 6 to 8 weeks before the application deadline.

All dates of info sessions, draft presentations, seminar choices on one page.

The current semester dates can be found on the KIT website.

Bachelor's and Master's degree program in Architecture
and Bachelor's and Master's degree program in Art History
Winter semester 2024/25 (as of: 31.07.2024)

< Back to overview

Satzungen und Ordnungen finden Sie auf der Webseite der KIT-Dienstleistungseinheit Studium und Lehre: https://www.sle.kit.edu/vorstudium/bachelor-architektur.php

The module handbook describes the modules belonging to the respective degree program, the dependencies between them, the learning objectives and the type of assessment.

Winter semester 2024/25:

Past semesters:

Winter 2021/22
Bachelor Architecture (SPO2016): German / English

Pdf: Bachelor Architecture (SPO2016): German / English

Online: Bachelor Architecture (SPO2016): German / English

Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - summer semester 2019 (SPO 2016) as PDF
Online module handbook Bachelor of Architecture (SPO 2016)
Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - winter semester 2016/17 (SPO 2012)
Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - winter semester 2018/19 (SPO 2016) as PDF
Online module handbook Bachelor of Architecture (SPO 2016)
Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - summer semester 2018 (SPO 2016) as PDF
Online module handbook Bachelor of Architecture (SPO 2016)
Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - summer semester 2017 (SPO 2016) as PDF
Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - winter semester 2016/17 (SPO 2016)
Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - summer semester 2016
Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - winter semester 2015/16
Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - summer semester 2015
Module handbook Bachelor Architecture - winter semester 2014/15
Module Handbook Bachelor Architecture - Summer Semester 2014
Module Handbook Bachelor Architecture - Winter semester 2013/14
Module Handbook Bachelor Architecture - Summer Semester 2013

Das Studiendekanat ist Anlaufstelle für alle Fragen zur Organisation des Studiums (Zulassung, Studienablauf, Anerkennungen, Prüfungen, Praktikum etc.), die nicht direkt mit den Lehrenden bzw. an den Professuren geklärt werden können.

Studiendekanat
Geb. 20.40, 1.OG, Raum 139
Ute Hofmann
Tel: 608-43879
Öffungszeiten:
Mo bis Do, 09:00-12:00 Uhr
und Di 14:00-16:00 Uhr

Studienkoordination / Studienberatung
Dipl.-Ing. Doris Kern
Tel: 608-42673
Geb. 20.40, 1. OG, Raum 140
Sprechzeiten: dienstags 14–17 Uhr
nach Vereinbarung: doris kern ∂does-not-exist.kit edu

Studiendekanin Architektur
Prof. Dr. Barbara Engel (Architektur)
Tel: 608-42170
Geb. 11.40, 1. OG, Raum 109

An overview of the courses can be found

• in the online course catalog
• in the semester program booklet
• and as a poster exhibition in the dean's office corridor (between room 136 to 143) on the 1st floor of building 20.40

In preparation for a successful start to their studies, the orientation phase for new first-semester students takes place annually two weeks before the beginning of the winter semester. This phase includes a mentoring program, with additional information provided by the faculty, the KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), and the student councils, as well as a first-semester guide.

The orientation phase for the winter semester 2024/25 will take place in the week from October 7 to 11, 2024.

The orientation phase
O-Phase: The Program
Mentoring Program
Important Info / FAQ
Further information
Counseling services
Social media

The O-Phase is an important introduction to studying: it is organized by the Architecture and Art History student councils in cooperation with the Dean's Office and lecturers from both courses and serves to provide information about the coming semester, the university and the courses. New students are introduced to the studios, professorships and the most important procedures and locations at the department. In addition, the choice of studio in the Architecture degree program and the allocation of seminar places in the Art History degree program take place. During the orientation phase, the first projects for an exhibition at the department are already being worked on. The student councils' leisure and evening program makes it easy to make contact with other freshmen and students from higher semesters.

Start and schedule of the O-Phase 2024

The O-Phase 2024 takes place in presence. You should be on site in Karlsruhe for the whole week.

It starts on Monday, 7.10.2024 at 9:30 a.m. in the foyer of the Architecture Building (Building 20.40), Englerstraße 7 in Karlsruhe.

All rooms listed are located in the architecture building
(Building 20.40, Englerstraße 7, 76131 Karlsruhe)

With the information in this booklet, we would like to make it easier for you to get started on the Bachelor's degree courses in Architecture and Art History.
In addition to an overview of courses, curricula, people, events and facilities, it also contains helpful information and tips compiled by students in higher semesters.
The current first semester booklet is usually published at the end of September.

Download the Winter 2024/25 issue

The mentoring program of the KIT Department of Architecture is integrated into the O-Phase with the aim of giving all first-year students a good start into their studies. Students of the 3rd and 5th semester, who have been prepared for this task with a training, accompany the new students during the O-phase and are also available afterwards as contact persons for all possible questions concerning the studies. This provides easy and direct access to information and assistance at the beginning of the studies and promotes the networking of the students of the department across semesters and courses.

If you are interested in participating in the program as a mentor in the 3rd or 5th semester, please note the annual announcement of the program in the middle/end of July. To apply, submit a brief motivational text to the departmental student bodies(fachschaft∂arch kit edu / fachschaft-kunstgeschichte∂web de). All art history students and applicants from the 2nd and 4th semester of architecture are eligible to apply.

Technical information of the SCC

The Steinbuch Center for Computing (SCC) is responsible for KIT's information technology. To help you get started, the SCC has compiled some relevant information such as how to activate your KIT user account, how to set up your e-mail account, how to prepare your KIT Card and much more.
http://www.scc.kit.edu/dienste/erstsemester.php

Information on buying a laptop

During the first year of study, it is advisable to purchase a laptop to support flexible learning and working.

The software used in architecture studies ranges from drawing programs (e.g. Vectorworks, Archicad, Autocad, Revit, Allplan) and 3D programs (e.g. Rhino, Sketchup, 3ds Max or Cinema 4D) to graphics, image editing and layout programs (mainly from Adobe or Serif) and therefore places very different demands on the hardware of your computer.

Of course, the choice of device is entirely up to you, but we would like to show you the most important components to look out for when buying a laptop. The system requirements that software manufacturers usually specify on their website provide an initial guide. We therefore recommend the following minimum equipment:

Processor: 64-bit Intel i5, min. 3 GHz or comparable AMD Ryzen Mobile processors
RAM: at least 16 GB RAM, preferably 32 GB RAM
Hard disk: at least 1 TB SSD
Graphics card: dedicated graphics card with at least 4 GB VRAM, preferably 6 GB
Screen: min. FullHD, i.e. 1920x1080 pixels, ideally an IPS or VA panel

In addition to the pure hardware requirements, the longevity of your device is important - you are studying with a standard study period of 6 semesters Bachelor and 4 semesters in the Master, so see your laptop as an investment that should accompany you for several years.

Software

Software packages are often available to students at a discount. It is advisable to wait for the start of your studies and to wait for suggestions and tips from lecturers and students from higher semesters.
Licenses for the 3D software Rhinoceros (McNeal), which you will use in various courses from the first semester onwards, have already been reserved at discounted rates.
To make use of this offer, please go to the following website: https://rzunika.asknet.de/cgi-bin/promo/P3895
The reservation period is open from 14.10 - 04.11.24 especially for first semester students.
You will receive further information on the procedure and the associated costs at the beginning of the lecture Architectural Geometry.

Semester Program Booklet German | English

General counseling services of the Faculty of Architecture

Start of studies page of the KIT