Architecture Planning and Building in Existing Contexts
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
The Master's degree program aims to provide a scientific-theoretical and practice-oriented in-depth and additional qualification. The study objectives focus on broadening specialist knowledge with a stronger specialization in the field of "Planning and Building in Existing Contexts".
Your future begins in Siegen
The Master's degree course in Architecture with a focus on planning and building in existing structures is one of the first courses to be dedicated to this specific perspective. The knowledge gained since then in Siegen and elsewhere has continued and deepened related expertise in and outside the field of architecture.
On the other hand, the city of Siegen itself offers itself as an example to be understood as a real laboratory of socio-ecological transformation in the fields of spatial planning disciplines through processes that have been set in motion - symbolized by the deconstruction of the park palette covering the River Sieg in Siegen's city centre, which was once initiated by the department.
In addition, the department's efforts, subsumed under the term "Neue Architekturschule Siegen N_AS", to become part of Siegen's transformation itself since 2023 as part of the University of Siegen's plans to move to the city center, initially by relocating its own courses to the so-called "Interimscampus Innenstadt Nord" and in the medium term with the process of transforming the former printing house of the Siegener Zeitung newspaper into a prototypical experimental building of ecologically and socially sustainable university architecture.
Everything at a glance
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Start of studies
Winter and summer semester -
Standard period of study
4 semesters (full-time) -
Admission restricted
No -
Language of instruction
German
These transformations also include the permanent, critical updating of our own curriculum, particularly from an ecological and social perspective. The starting point for this is the present, accredited curriculum, which is based on many years of experience with a focus on planning and building in existing buildings. The profile of the teaching is based on this guaranteed, qualitative foundation, which the teaching staff develop together with the students, taking into account current and future challenges facing architecture.
In addition to the tools and strategies of architecture and urban planning per se, the course therefore also deals intensively and specifically with questions of updating both architectural and urban development, taking into account increasingly important influencing factors such as ecology, economy, social issues and politics.
Admission procedure
The course is admission-free, but participation in the application procedure is required.
Enrolment period
Enrolment deadline for the winter semester is 15.09.
Enrolment deadline for the summer semester is 15.03.
Gallery
Admission + application
Since 2026, BA students have had the opportunity to apply for the summer semester in addition to the regular enrollment for the Master's degree program in Architecture with a focus on Planning and Building in Existing Contexts at the Department of Architecture at the University of Siegen in the winter semester.
The application procedure is therefore carried out twice a year:
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Application procedure for admissions to the winter semester by 15.09. Online application via unisono.
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Application procedure for summer semester admissions by 15.03. Online application via unisono.
Note for summer semester enrolment: Please note that starting in the summer semester means an extension of the study period by 1 semester (5 semesters of study).
Preliminary overview of the documents to be submitted
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Bachelor's certificate with transcript of records
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Work samples in the form of a digital portfolio
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Letter of motivation
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German language level certificates, if applicable.
Prerequisites
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Bachelor's degree
The basic requirement for admission to the Master's degree program in Architecture with a focus on planning and building in existing buildings is that the applicant has a first, professionally qualifying degree "Bachelor of Science", "Bachelor of Engineering" or "Bachelor of Arts" in a degree program in Architecture or a comparable diploma degree. -
Work samples in the form of a digital portfolio
In the portfolio, the applicant shows a selection of the work completed in the previous course of study leading to the Bachelor's degree and ideally already addresses the specific orientation of the Master's degree program in Architecture with a focus on planning and building in existing buildings. This part of the portfolio is decisive. However, free works marked as such, works under the responsibility of third parties and everything that the applicant considers necessary to convey their suitability may also be shown and explained.
The portfolio must be submitted in 16:9 format (landscape format) with an absolute resolution of at least 1920 x 1080 pixels and a maximum total size of 25 MB -
Letter of motivation
In the letter of motivation, the applicant must provide an appropriately long self-assessment of their suitability to successfully study the Master's degree program in Architecture with a focus on planning and building in existing contexts and also state their reasons for applying for this focus and at this specific location. In addition, you are welcome to formulate expectations and define goals.
The basis of the admission criteria is the current examination regulations for the Master's degree program in Architecture with a focus on Planning and Building in Existing Contexts on the website of the Examinations Office. -
Language skills
The language of instruction for the Master's degree program in Architecture with a focus on Planning and Building in Existing Contexts is German. Applicants whose native language is not German are recommended to have language skills corresponding to at least DSH-II or TestDaF level in all partial examinations with at least "4" or telc C1 (university) or C2 (Goethe certificate). Applicants are welcome to attach existing certificates to their application. -
Admission letter
The applicant will receive notification of the final status of their application once all application documents have been received, at the latest at the end of the admission phase. A positive result entitles the applicant to admission to the Master's program for the same year.
Further information is available here:
https://www.uni-siegen.de/start/international/index.html
or https://www.uni-siegen.de/start/international/index.html.en?lang=en
Students about studying architecture
Creative thinking, practical projects and an inspiring learning environment!
How can architecture be made more sustainable? How can buildings be created that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing? And what role does architecture play in the context of urban transformation? On the Architecture course at the University of Siegen, you will delve deep into these exciting questions. From innovative design and sustainable construction methods to the latest digital planning methods - theory is taught here in a lively and practical way.
Architecture, 2nd semester Bachelor
Good reasons for studying at the University of Siegen
Short reader for section content (optional).
- Familiar atmosphere, close cooperation between teachers and students
- Creative working environment for workshops and design studios, promotion of cooperative work
- International exchange via projects abroad and/or promotion of stays abroad
- Close links with regional architecture and planning practice
- An established structure of a 6-semester Bachelor's degree course with a subsequent 4-semester Master's degree course
