The Faculty of Architecture at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics focuses on developing highly professional experts in architectural engineering who are aware of the social and cultural implications of their profession. Versatility is emphasised so that students will gain fundamental knowledge and abilities in every possible field of architecture and be able to find work in a highly competitive job market, and in any building- or design-related area of consulting, construction, and management. The 5-year program, in English, leads directly to an M.Sc. degree in Architecture and Architectural Engineering (Dipl. Ing. Arch.), but it is also possible to stop at the B.Sc. level.
Graduates of the Faculty of Architecture are qualified for a broad spectrum of architectural occupations:
• Design, construction, and maintenance of residential, public, industrial and agricultural buildings;
• Reconstruction and the preservation of historical monuments;
• Urban design and settlement planning; and
• Administration of all these activities.
The curricula were organised on Swiss and German models. The Faculty has maintained these traditions for the last 40 years but provides additional European and international dimensions through guest speakers from abroad, topical short courses, workshop seminars and exchange programs.
The 1st-5th year program of the Faculty of Architecture taught in English is in full conformity with the 5-year program provided in Hungarian, which after two years practice and experience is accepted for access to EUR-ING title.
General Course
The year program in English, called the General Course preceides the Master Course. It is designed to develop the skills of students from abroad so they will be at no disadvantage in meeting the Faculty's exacting educational standards. Students are introduced to various aspects of the profession they have selected, and they concentrate on studying English and basic technical subjects such as mathematics and freehand drawing. Students who show enough skills at the Placement Test” can automatically (immediatly) start the Master Course (B.Sc.).
Academic program of the Faculty of Architecture B.Sc./M.Sc. studies
The two-level B.Sc, M.Sc training in the English speaking section of the Faculty of Architecture is realized in a split-up system, in full comformity with the Hungarian speaking section. Having completed the 6th semester, students have the choice either to obtain the M.Sc. degree corresponding to the Hungarian diploma in architecture, after 4 additional semesters or completing only two semesters to get the B.Sc. degree in Architecture and Architectural Engineering. Of course, after the B.Sc. degree, students may decide to obtain also the M.Sc. degree at this Faculty, in this case, their credits will be acknowledged.
Students, both international and Hungarian, who have a command of both languages can choose from either program. The participation of Hungarian students in the program given in English has obvious advantages. It eases the integration of international students into the society, which surrounds them during the years of their studies. It also attracts students from European, American and other universities world-wide to study in Budapest within the framework of the International Student Exchange Program and other agreements. Hungarian students likewise gain the opportunity to study at schools of architecture abroad. These exchanges will become a powerful factor in achieving real convertibility among educational systems world-wide and, eventually, mutual international recognition of degrees.
Master's Program
Students who have earned B.Sc. degrees in other schools of architecture can join the Master’s Program. Programs will be tailored to their previous education and special needs. These studies encompass a wide range of complex design topics and elective subjects grouped in three directions:
Structural Design – buildings and other structures.
Architectural Design – buildings with different functions, their interiors and surroundings; the preservation of historical buildings.
Town Planning – urban design, settlement planning and management.
Graduation
Graduation from the University is based on the successful completion of examinations in all subjects before a Final Examination Board and on the successful defence of a diploma project. The examinations are public and the Board consists of professors and eminent specialists in the profession. Diploma projects are prepared in the last semester under departmental guidance and can be submitted only by students with an "absolutorium" (university leaving certificate). The diploma project is expected to reflect its author's familiarity with technical and aesthetic knowledge fundamental to architectural practice, and his/her creativity in applying it. Diploma projects are defended in public examinations before the Final Examination Board. Currently, international agreements make it possible for certain Hungarian students to prepare and defend their diploma projects in the university of another country. Students from abroad can correspondingly prepare and defend their thesis projects under the guidance of the Faculty of Architecture at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.