Degree in Architecture

A unique, international, immersive experience based on advanced technical knowledge and study trips awaits students pursuing a Degree in Architecture. With 40 courses, 10 destinations, and a shared learning resource focused on travel, the program spans five years.

What makes us different?

Learning by traveling.

This is a ground-breaking approach to learning about architecture, by looking at sites and building projects in situ. You’ll learn about the context in which the buildings were designed, how they fit in with their surroundings, and the particular features of their design. Traveling is food for the soul. Every semester there’ll be a new place to visit and study.

Every year, we choose a different European city, and all the courses for that year are taught with its cultural, social, climatic, and geographical characteristics in mind. We also invite architects from this city to come to our School to lead an international workshop and explain their vision of the place in which they live and work. Afterward, we visit the city itself to compare what has been learned with the reality on the ground.

Architecture is about giving our Architecture students a global vision of the profession and the ability to create buildings anywhere in the world. That’s why, we’ll be traveling to places like Barcelona, Zurich, Madrid, and Berlin during the degree.

The world in one school

Our architecture school, ESET, is the very definition of international – it has students from 45 different countries and lecturers from 14. That’s why the degree is taught in English. For the practical project development sessions, you can choose to work in English or Spanish, as you’ll work closely with your lecturers as you learn. All our students are different, but they share the same passion for architecture.

At ESET, you’ll find:

• Small groups: 25 students, enabling us to provide personalized education.

• Multicultural classes, with students from many different countries, such as Sweden, Germany, Ukraine, Canada, Norway, Kuwait, etc. You’ll be in Spain, but it will feel like you’re in a British or American university.

• Personalized teaching, via one-to-one tutorials in the project development courses.

• Educational experiences outside lectures: you'll complement your training with workshops, site visits, trips, and interaction with international architects.

• International placements, enable you to get the international professional experience you need. These placements take place at top Spanish and international studios.

Are your lecturers or real masters?

Why go to university anyway? Becoming an architect has to be about more than just passing exams. During your time at ESET, your degree will be a journey; your course credits, practical challenges; lectures, and forums for debate. For us, Architecture isn’t about exams, timetables, and courses – it’s about you telling us how you want to become an architect.

Your Architecture degree won’t be a series of unconnected courses with final exams – that’s not what we think a university should be. Inside and outside of our classrooms, we will foster your ability to think critically, giving you the skills to develop your own considered viewpoint on architecture – and life. You’ll learn gradually and sequentially, assimilating the results of the work you complete and the challenges you undertake over the course of the degree, under the guiding hand of your lecturers. Reflection, interpretation, understanding, and analysis: all these things will form a key part of how you become an architect.

Architecture with a conscience

Our architectural philosophy can be summed up with the three Ps: prosperity, people, and the planet. We want architecture to be sustainable and for it to be ready for the challenges of tomorrow: do you see things the same way?

• Prosperity: we see architecture as the engine for progress and the improvement of life through the enhancement of the urban environment. Architecture can be a driving force in the modern economy.

• People: architecture has to be inspired by and made for real people. The human factor is the key when creating shapes and spaces.

• The planet: architecture must create sustainable spaces that contribute to the improvement of the planet.

• Our students get continuous advice and feedback on their designs and the development of their projects throughout their degree. Top architects and firms from Spain and across the world come to our School of Architecture to give special lectures and workshops, ensuring that our students receive up-to-date and well-rounded training in sustainability.

Practical experience around the world

Real experience is the best source of information for an architect and that's why, in addition to our teaching, our students undertake placements at the best studios in Spain and across the world. Here are some examples of the studios we work with: Aires Mateus (Portugal), Müller Sigrist (Switzerland), Cruz y Ortiz and OAB Ferrater (Spain), McCullough-Mulvin (Ireland), Merom Architects (Sweden), and Mjölk (Czech Republic).

By studying with us, you'll have classmates from all over the world, learn from Spanish and international lecturers, participate in international workshops, visit sites under development, undertake stimulating placements, receive innovative and dynamic teaching, and travel to see the architecture you study. This is the path to a career in tomorrow's architecture: global and dynamic, but also conscientious and sensitive to the cultural, geographical, economic, and social environment.

• Official study program:  Degree in Fundamentals of Architecture

• Duration / ECTS credits:  5 years / 300 ECTS credits

• Number of places / Campus:  35 / Alfara

• Language:  English

CEU Community - UCH

A university community at the service of society

Our mission

We are a Catholic University, a pioneer in the development of innovative educational projects. We are oriented to help people who learn with us to understand the discipline they study and to develop their professional activity with integrity and responsibility. Our reference is the values ​​of Christian humanism that constitute our criterion of thought and action for the improvement of society.

We are committed to a globalized society, to which we want to contribute:

• Fully trained people, prepared to develop a public life and contribute to the improvement of their environment.
• Relevant research and knowledge transfer and innovation.
• Entrepreneurial initiative applicable to business and social projects.

Our vision

We aspire to consolidate ourselves as a global University, innovative in its spirit and entrepreneurial in its action, that transmits these attitudes to the university community so that it transfers them to society. A university focused on the formation of valuable people in all senses - intellectual, professional and human - and doing it better and better.

A University determined to generate , by itself and through its graduates, an impact on society that contributes to improving it and becoming an international reference in the field of higher education.

Compromise and responsibility

We reflect on the consequences of our actions and respect the rules that govern us and the commitments we make.

University Advocate of the CEU-UCH

The figure ensures respect for the rights and freedoms of professors, students and administration and services staff, in view of the actions of the different university bodies and services.

Their actions are always aimed at improving university quality in all areas and is not subject to any mandate imperative in accordance with the principles of independence and autonomy.

Dignity and integrity

We recognize the inherent value of each human being as a rational and free being.

We are committed to the equality of men and women. We are as an organization and as transmitters of knowledge and values.

Equality Unit

The evolution of societies towards a more equitable reality, it is necessary that it passes through the incorporation under conditions of equality of all men and women who belong to it. Universities, as knowledge transmission centers, must also adopt this commitment, using the mechanisms at their disposal, such as equality units, and thus achieve the objectives entrusted to them.

• It informs and advises the governing bodies of the University regarding equality policies.
• Prepares, implements and evaluates the Equality Plans in the University, which will establish the objectives and strategies to be achieved in terms of promoting equal treatment and opportunities at the University.
• It informs about the regulations of the University and the procedures with impact on gender equality and opportunities.
• It supports the realization of studies in order to promote equality.
• Promotes knowledge by the staff of the University and by the students of the principle of equality.
• Disseminates the activities carried out on equality issues.

Respect and empathy: We pay special attention to the relationship with the other, recognizing the dignity of each person and their work. We are sensitive to the circumstances and needs of others and we care about each person who asks for help or guidance.

Solidarity: We assume that the common good is more than the sum of particular assets and we know that collective effort allows us to achieve achievements that are impossible to achieve individually.

Professionalism: We strive to be up to the expectations of the people with whom we relate and try to develop with rigor the professional activity that each one has entrusted.

Innovation: We feel an innovative University in many ways. We propose new ideas and initiatives to adapt to changes and new social and professional frameworks.

Integration: We believe in the value of the difference and we assume that we are part of the same whole, the CEU community. We add our differences because we consider them valuable, to enrich ourselves culturally and personally.