Architecture is a culmination of art, science, technology, and the ability to design and manage the construction of a building. The functions of an architect include designing homes, office spaces, educational institutions, restaurants, and many more artificial marvels that we see today.  

Studying architecture abroad can be a great opportunity for students. Students could visit their dream country and pursue their architectural studies. Visiting a new country will expose them to new cultures and enrich their visions and thought flow with new architectural designs everywhere.  

There are plenty of programs available that allow students to study architecture all around the world. However, there are some factors one should consider before opting for such courses.  

Let’s understand some of the top architecture courses offered after the 12th abroad and their eligibility criteria, subjects, and scopes. 

Things to consider before choosing to pursue architecture abroad 

Entrance Exams and Requirements 

Most overseas colleges and universities validate students’ candidature based on their performance in universal standard competitive entrances like SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOFEL, GRE, and so on. 

Research 

It is the most important part of decision-making. Before applying to any college or university students must conduct research about the program, curriculum, college ranking, alumni, job prospects, and the approximate expenses the course and journey can cost. 

Scholarships 

Owing to financial issues, students often feel hesitant to pursue their dream of studying abroad. But if a student ever wants to know how to study architecture abroad after the 12th for free, here is their option.  There are multiple scholarship opportunities available for students such as architecture and interior design scholarships. Students must research well and understand the eligibility for the scholarship and apply for those. These scholarships are meant to help them with financial aid and support them to accomplish their dream of studying abroad. 

Cost of Tuition and Living Expense 

Living abroad can be expensive, especially as a student. However, many countries offer scholarships to foreign students and encourage them to choose their countries for higher education. The scholarships mostly help students with college fees, hostel fees, medical expenses, and so on. Some countries even offer students with part-time work permits to help them cope with the expense.  

Language Barriers 

If a student chooses to study in a non-English- speaking country, he/she can face a language barrier. Therefore, it is the best choice to learn the native language of that country or learn some phrases. 

Career Prospects 

Students must consider the job prospects of pursuing architecture abroad. They must analyze what is going to be the return on investment if they choose to pursue a career abroad or return to their native countries after completing their education. 

Popular Countries and Cities to Study Architecture after 12th 

United States of America 

Pursuing graduation in the USA is the dream of many as it is one of the most sought-after countries for higher education. The country is home to some marvelous architectural masterpieces. The USA offers over 200 professional and non-professional architectural programs. Most colleges offer bachelor’s, master’s, and diploma courses in the field of architecture. To enroll in an architecture program in the USA, students need to meet a huge list of technical requirements to fulfill the eligibility criteria.  

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University, Cornell University, University of California, Berkeley, and Rice University, Texas are some of the universities that offer world-class programs in architecture. 

The United Kingdom  

The United Kingdom is one of the most preferred learning destinations for architecture. The institutions of the U offer undergraduate programs that focus on creativity, innovation, and design. Some colleges even offer short-term diploma or certification courses in architecture which students can choose to learn about the field and gather hands-on experience.  

One major benefit of studying in the UK is the prospect of entry into the UK labor market. The government of the United Kingdom provides undergraduate and postgraduate international students with work visas after they complete their education. The visa stays valid for 2 years after graduation. Some of the finest institutions for architecture in the UK are – the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, University of Cambridge, Manchester School of Architecture, University of Bath, Cardiff University, etc. 

Rome, Italy 

In Rome, students can gain inspiration from remarkably well-preserved ancient relics. Italy is a city with iconic landmarks and diverse architectural buildings and sculptures. Students can learn from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the modern-day skyscrapers in Florence. Italy has the maximum number of UNESCO World Heritage sites and if students are intrigued by Roman architecture, then they can join the universities like Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino and the Sapienza University of Rome. 

Barcelona, Spain 

Catalan architecture is a marvelous work of Spain that bridges the gap between the old and new worlds of architectural designs. Students must explore these works that are full of perspectives and relevant to modern-day works.                                     

Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

For students who are intrigued by modern architectural designs – Dubai is the right country for them to visit. There are numerous opportunities in the burgeoning modern architecture mecca, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates with unique architectural buildings like Burj Khalifa. 

Beijing, China 

Beijing has a rich history and Chinese architecture stands unique with the essence of their culture.  However, the city was given a makeover in 2008 for the Olympic games. During that time the buildings got eye-catching, asymmetric designs. 

Australia 

There are also several opportunities available for booming architects in rapidly-growing cities like Canberra, Sydney, and Perth. Being an English-speaking nation, Australia also offers education where all the instruction is in English which helps the international students adapt to a new country and course easily. 

Japan  

Japan offers Architecture programs which is a rare hybrid blend of old and new design approaches that students seek. Students could head to Japan to explore the old Eastern styles and learn how to develop earthquake-proof buildings. Japanese universities even offer numerous scholarships and work opportunities for students. Japan is one of the best countries to study architecture. The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Waseda University, and Keio University are some of the renowned institutions for architecture in Japan. 

Chile 

In South America, Chile offers a wide array of architectural programs that impart knowledge on how the traditional Chilean style has grown into modern architecture. 

Top 10 Global Universities for Architecture 

This is the time to know more about the top 10 universities for architecture that are globally recognized! Every year QS World University Rankings releases a list of subject-wise rankings for students, graduates, and working professionals. Let’s find out which universities have made the top 10 list for the architecture course. 

Here is a list of Top 10 Universities for Architecture and their QS World Rankings 2022  

Institute   Country  QS World Rankings 2022 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology  United States of America  1 
Harvard University  United States of America  3 
ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology  Switzerland  6 
University of Cambridge  United Kingdom  7 
UCL  United Kingdom  10 
EPFL  Switzerland  14 
University of California, Berkeley  United States of America  30 
Delft University of Technology  Netherlands  57 
Politecnico di Milano  Italy   

A career in architecture promises a lot of growth as it has a lot of potential.  Apart from being part of organizations, architects can also work as freelancers on different projects. Architects can get hired for a spectrum of job designations and can have successful careers.