Yale University
Yale University, founded in 1701 and located in New Haven, Connecticut, is a world-renowned private research university and the third oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Yale is one of the 14 founding members of the Association of American Universities and a prestigious member of the Ivy League.
The Yale School of Architecture was established as an independent school in 1972, having previously been part of the Yale School of Art. The school focuses on using the language of architecture to interpret human values and activities within a contemporary context. Its facilities are world-class, featuring the highest per capita number of computers and the largest drawing spaces, fully accommodating students' needs for creating hand-crafted models and computer renderings.
The school also offers a wide variety of travel scholarships, enabling students to explore architectural sites worldwide during breaks. Popular destinations include Europe, Asia, and North Africa, where students engage in site research and visit numerous renowned architectural landmarks.
Related Programs List
Yale University offers programs in Architecture and Environmental Design, housed within the School of Architecture.
Common Programs Applied by Architecture-Related Students:
- Master of Architecture I (MArch I) - Duration: 3 years
- Master of Architecture II (MArch II) - Duration: 2 years
- Master of Environmental Design (MED) - Duration: 3 years
Admission Requirements
Program-Specific Requirements
- Master of Architecture I (M.Arch. I)
- Degree Requirement: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
- Prerequisites (to be completed by June 1 of the matriculating year):
Studio Course: A course in freehand drawing, sketching, painting, sculpture, or basic architectural design. (Courses in ceramics, photography, graphics, or film will not satisfy this requirement.)
History Courses: Two college-level courses in the history of art and/or architecture. It is recommended that one be a survey course and the other focus on modern architecture.
Recommended but Not Required: A course in classical physics.
Master of Architecture II (M.Arch. II)
Degree Requirement: Applicants must hold a five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree or an equivalent first professional degree.
(A B.A. or B.S. with a major in architecture is not considered a first professional degree.)
Master of Environmental Design (M.E.D.)
Eligibility: Applicants must hold a degree in architecture or an undergraduate/graduate degree in a related discipline.
Candidates must demonstrate strong capabilities for independent advanced study in a topic related to architecture and environmental design.
Language Requirements
GRE
Requirement: All applicants, including international students, must take the General Test of the GRE (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections).
TOEFL
Requirement: The TOEFL iBT is required for all applicants whose native language is not English.
Waiver Conditions: Applicants who have studied in residence for at least three (3) years at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction and who will have received a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from that institution before matriculation at Yale may be exempted.
General Admission Requirements
Admission Notifications: Applicants will be notified of admission decisions and financial aid awards, if applicable, no later than April 1.
Acceptance and Deposit: Acceptance of admission offers, including a nonrefundable deposit of $750, must be made electronically by April 15.
This deposit is credited toward tuition.
Deferrals: Admission offers cannot be deferred.
Application Materials
- Online Application Form
Submit through Yale’s application portal. - Proof of Enrollment/Degree Certificate
For current students: provide an official proof of enrollment.
For graduates: submit a certified degree certificate. - Official Transcripts
Submit official academic records from all previously attended institutions. - Letters of Recommendation
Three letters are typically required. - GRE Scores
Required for all programs. - TOEFL Scores
Required for non-native English speakers (IELTS is not accepted). - Personal Essay
A one-page essay detailing personal history and reasons for applying, including diversity considerations if applicable. - Résumé (CV)
Summarize academic and professional experiences. - Application Fee
$90 (nonrefundable).
Payable online by credit or debit card. - Portfolio (For M.Arch. Programs Only)
Submit as a single PDF document optimized to not exceed 2GB.
The portfolio must be tailored for computer screen viewing.
Should include the applicant’s creative works, emphasizing originality and individual contribution.
M.Arch. I: Showcase drawing skills, three-dimensional aptitude (e.g., drawings, paintings, sculptures).
M.Arch. II: Highlight advanced architectural design capabilities.
Portfolios must exclude videos or non-original work unless clearly identified. - Research Proposal (For M.E.D. Program Only)
A detailed description of the applicant’s research topic, including:
Goals and objectives.
Proposed methods and expected outcomes.
A list of relevant Yale courses to support the study.
Tentative study plan across four terms.
Career aspirations related to the study.
Draft submissions are encouraged in advance for feedback from the program director.