University of Applied Arts Vienna
The Institute of Architecture at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (Die Angewandte) offers a Master's in Architecture (MArch) program. The program is three years in length, and applicants must have an undergraduate education in a field related to architecture. The tuition fee was recently adjusted from €20.1 to €350 per semester.
The architecture department is divided into three studios, each with 20-30 students. The first and second years focus on Studio Projects, typically organized by semester or academic year, where first- and second-year students collaborate in small groups on projects. The final year is dedicated to the Diploma Project, where students independently complete their graduation design and thesis.
Alumni and Faculty Insights
The school is globally recognized for its expertise in parametric design, and the teaching model involves prominent architects leading the studios. Currently, the studio professors are:
Studio 1: Cristina Díaz Moreno and Efrén García Grinda (Spain, amid.cero9 Architecture Studio)
Studio 2: Greg Lynn (Greg Lynn Form)
Studio 3: Hani Rashid (Asymptote Architecture, New York)
Each studio has its own research focus, and students can apply to the studio that best aligns with their interests. Upon acceptance, students are assigned to the studio based on their chosen professor and specialization.
In addition to architectural design courses, the program includes Design Realization (Building Construction, Structural Design, Energy Design), Theory & History, Digital Techniques, Urban & Social Strategies, and elective courses. In the Design Realization courses, students have the opportunity to advance and deepen their design projects in construction and technology. Each course includes design and software tutorials to support learning.
The faculty consists of experts from Austria and Europe, including the renowned German structural engineer Klaus Bolinger and professor Mario Carpo for Theory. Students can also take elective courses from other art departments within the university.
The program emphasizes the development of students' comprehensive abilities, focusing on the concept, practical application, critique, and innovative thinking needed to address contemporary and future challenges in architecture. The curriculum is particularly suited for students interested in parametric design, digital fabrication, AR, and VR. Traditional architecture students will also benefit from significant growth in design thinking, theory, and software skills through this program.
Related Program List
1. Studio Cristina Díaz Moreno and Efrén García Grinda (2019 – Present)
Cristina Díaz Moreno and Efrén García Grinda, founders of the Spanish architecture firm amid.cero9, have been leading the first studio since 2019. Their studio explores contemporary challenges of urbanization, including structural deficits, population migration, technological transformation, unstable housing, and spatial exclusion. The studio advocates for changing the paradigm of architectural practice to reconnect with social issues and realities.
The studio builds on the legacy of Zaha Hadid’s parametric experiments and Kazuyo Sejima’s “white ambiguity,” aiming to reshape architectural practice through knowledge and practical experiments that address contemporary societal and cultural needs. Their approach focuses on how architecture can respond to evolving urban contexts and their social and cultural dimensions.
2. Studio Greg Lynn (2002 – Present)
Led by Greg Lynn, this studio focuses on the relationship between architecture, contemporary culture, and social/technological dynamics. It explores themes such as smart buildings, dynamic environments, and machine vision to rethink work, entertainment, leisure, and living spaces.
The studio encourages innovation by integrating historical architectural precedents with contemporary design practices. The collaboration spans multiple disciplines, including industrial design, fashion, music, and film. Known for pioneering advanced computer and CNC technology in design and model making, the studio has recently incorporated drone vision, augmented and virtual reality visualization, and geometric photography into the design process. Technology in this studio is not just a tool, but rather a critical, creative medium for reflection and exploration.
3. Studio Hani Rashid (2011 – Present)
Hani Rashid leads this studio, focusing on developing students’ conceptual, practical, and critical skills to create innovative architectural thinking. The studio investigates architecture as a dynamic entity, moving between environments and phenomena. It emphasizes architecture as an experiential, aesthetic, and metaphysical phenomenon—shifting from buildings as static objects to dynamic environments.
Students in this studio explore space through geometry, form, experience, and experimentation, incorporating both digital and traditional methods, including model making and physical model analysis. The studio emphasizes the "concept validation" approach, showcasing physical models at various scales, animations, computer-generated images, charts, and data to support design concepts and arguments.
Each studio provides a unique perspective and approach to architecture, allowing students to immerse themselves in different architectural ideologies and methodologies.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master's program at the Institute of Architecture is based on the candidate's artistic talent, evaluated through a portfolio and personal interview, with the final decision made by a jury.
Program-Specific Requirements
A Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Architecture or an equivalent qualification.
The admission process consists of two phases:
Phase I – Artistic Evaluation:
- Submission of the Admission Form: The filled-in and signed application form must be submitted.
- Portfolio Submission: The portfolio must be sent digitally (max. 25 MB) via email to the respective studio. It should present a comprehensive selection of academic projects and other relevant works, clearly stating whether a project was an individual or group effort.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV must be submitted.
- Letter of Intent: A personal statement explaining the applicant's motivation for applying must be included. Once all required documents (1-4) are received, a confirmation of receipt will be sent.
- Interview with the Application Jury:
A selected number of applicants will be invited for an interview, either in person or via Zoom.
The outcome of the artistic evaluation will be communicated via email. (Please refrain from contacting the Department for Student and Academic Affairs before receiving the results.)
Phase II – Final Review:
- The final admission is contingent on a review by the Department for Student and Academic Affairs to ensure that the applicant’s previous education meets the necessary requirements for admission.
- Starting from the summer semester of 2020, applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency at a B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- After all required documents and certifications are verified, the final admission as a regular student will be confirmed. Until then, applicants are conditionally accepted.
Language Requirement
The language of instruction is English. Applicants must demonstrate very good English skills, both for understanding architectural, theoretical, and technical subjects and for engaging fluently in discussions.
Application Materials
- Online Application Form
- Portfolio
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Letter of Intent
- TOEFL/IELTS Score
- Degree Certificate/Proof of Enrollment
- Transcript of Records
- English Language Proficiency Proof (B2 level according to the CEFR)
Official Website for the Institute of Architecture:
Institute of Architecture - University of Applied Arts Vienna
Detailed Application Information:
Application Details - University of Applied Arts Vienna