Studies
The architectural studies are comprised of a five-year master’s programme without any interim stages. A master’s thesis completes the five years of study and once the thesis has been defended the student is awarded a master’s degree in architecture. The curriculum is integral, but the content is divided into three years of general courses and two years of master’s courses. Theoretical urban planning subjects are added in the fourth year along with the corresponding practical projects.
During the fifth year a master’s project worth 30 ECTS credits is completed.
Foreign students and those from other Estonian schools of higher education study at the Academy’s Department of Architecture, generally as exchange students. The graduates of the architectural programme at the Tallinn University of Applied Sciences can receive a master’s degree in architecture by completing a 2-year course at the Academy.
What skills will I acquire?
- The skills necessary for working with architectural designs and an understanding of the research required for it.
- Sufficient knowledge about the history, theories and practices of architecture and urban design and the related arts, engineering sciences and humanities, and the skills to use this knowledge in order to create a spatial environment that conforms to aesthetic and technical requirements.
- An understanding of the structural planning and the building and engineering problems related to designing; and sufficient knowledge about the physical problems and technologies to ensure comfortable and energy-conserving conditions for the users.
- An understanding of the relationships between people and buildings, as well as between buildings and the ambient environment; and the skills to relate buildings and the space between them with the needs and distribution of people.
- An understanding of the architectural profession and the role of the architect in society.
What jobs will be available after I graduate?
- Architect or city planner in an architectural office.
- Architect or planning specialist in a local government.
- Executive specialist in an architectural office.
- An entrepreneur in the role of executive specialist or owner in an architectural office.
Curriculum
BA 1st year
The studies focus on personal and body-centred space and provide basic knowledge and techniques related to architectural design and the arts; and against this background, the initital introduction to the engineering sciences and
humanities is provided.
BA 2nd year
The studies focus on private and public space; and against this background, creative thinking and expressive skills are developed in the arts along with an
understanding of the engineering sciences and humanities.
BA 3rd year
The studies focus on the problems related to large and multifunctional buildings that have to accommodate both public and private uses, as well as take the ambient urban environment into consideration. The acquired knowledge in the engineering sciences and humanities must be utilised in such a way that, besides the architectural and environmental values, the building’s construction-related and technological structure, as well as the applications of energy conservation principles, are also comprehensible.
MA 1st year
The studies focus on urban planning issues in design and the supplementary theoretical subjects.
MA 2nd year
The master’s thesis, which takes an entire year, is comprised of a carefully prepared project based on architectural and planning principles, and the specialised research related thereto. The thesis should explain the reason for dealing with the project, its context, and conceptual structure, as well as describe the progress of the project, the development of the concept and the spatial
solutions.
Doctoral studies
In cooperation with a network of international architectural schools, the
Academy’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design and the Academy’s
Doctoral School are developing a doctoral programme based on creative
practices – Architecture and Urban Planning. Similarly to other creative specialties at the Academy of Arts and the Academy of Music and Theatre, the work is based on the unique tools and creative research methodology of practicing professionals.
Specialisation
Landscape architecture, which is organically related to the architectural profession, has been part of the Academy’s curriculum for over ten years. Starting in the current academic year, it is possible to focus more on landscape architecture through specialisation within the speciality.
The in-depth knowledge of the environmental and natural sciences
provides architects with a better understanding of the functioning of living
systems, which help them to design humane, nature-conserving and balanced, but
constantly changing, spatial environments.