Master in Architecture

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Master In Architecture

duration

language

location

intake

Mode of Study

Format

10 months

English

Madrid & Amsterdam

September

In-person

Full-time

OUR INNOVATIVE MASTER’S IN ARCHITECTURE

Our innovative Master in Architecture combines the rigorous academic and technical training required for professional licensure in Spain and the European Union with an international, entrepreneurial and sustainability-focused approach to architectural practice.

Through a year-long Thesis Project led by renowned architect and UNStudio founder Ben van Berkel, advanced architectural design and construction studios, and an intensive Design Management Module, you will develop the skills to design, build and lead. Combining creative excellence with business acumen, the program prepares you to navigate the evolving challenges of the built environment while shaping your own professional path. With learning experiences in Madrid and Amsterdam, close collaboration with industry leaders, and a strong focus on innovation and sustainable technologies, you'll graduate ready to make an impact from day one.

A minimalist architectural studio showcasing model designs on a white table.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

EXPLORE THE Master in Architecture program

Program Structure

10 Months

Description
Terms

Description

Terms

Term 1
Approaches - 3 months
Term 2
Applications - 3 months
Term 3
Synthesis - 3 months

Program Structure

10 Months

Description
Terms

Description. Master in Architecture presentation. The Master in Architecture (Habilitante) is a full-time, 10-month program in English, based in Madrid. It is designed to prepare future architects for leadership roles, combining rigorous training for professional licensure in Spain and the EU with an international, entrepreneurial, and sustainable approach. Leveraging IE University’s long-standing leadership in entrepreneurship, management, and business, this program offers a unique blend of architectural training with business acumen—something very unique in an enabling master's degree in architecture. The program consists of three main elements: a Thesis Project module led by Ben Van Berkel of UNStudio, an architectural design and construction studio focused on sustainable technologies, and a Design Management module emphasizing business training in architecture and design. Students benefit from hands-on experience, study trips, and seminars with leaders from prestigious firms ensuring they graduate ready to lead in architecture and related fields.

Terms. Term 1. Approaches - 3 months. Jump Start. Students conduct research on their proposed topic, and determine the scope, site, and program for their final design project, working with our expert faculty.. Sustainable Strategies. A comprehensive design studio, dealing with complex, contemporary challenges in the urban setting, with special attention dedicated to the challenges of sustainability as well as the legal, economic, regulatory and social contexts in which architects work.. Sustainable Techniques. Students learn to integrate structural, mechanical, and environmental systems.. Sustainable Urban Development. Students explore how architecture contributes to resilient, sustainable and inclusive cities, addressing the environmental, social and economic challenges shaping the future of urban environments.. Term 2. Applications - 3 months. Design Applications. In the second phase of the Thesis Project, students begin to define the primary design elements of their projects, dealing with site conditions, building systems, materials and, all applicable regulations. This course will be held in Amsterdam, led by Thesis Chair Ben van Berkel.. Technology Applications. This workshop supports the technical development of the Thesis Project, providing individualized feedback on structural, mechanical, and environmental systems.. Creativity & Organization. This course explores the interface of creative work and the organizations set up to perform it.. Strategy. Begin to develop your own business strategy in architecture and the design professions.. Project Management. You’ll focus on the supervision, preparation, and management of projects.. Term 3. Synthesis - 3 months. Synthesis. Here’s where you pull it all together. In the third and final module of the Thesis Project, students integrate the work of the previous phases, preparing and presenting a comprehensive architectural project, with all relevant documentation necessary. This project serves as both a synthesis of all the student’s acquired knowledge and a stepping stone to his or her future as a professional in architecture and the related fields. Final review of the work will be conducted by our expert faculty along with Thesis Chair Ben van Berkel, and leading Spanish professionals and other invited guests.

*Please note that our program content is continually updated to remain in sync with market demands. Therefore, we advise you that the content is subject to change and it can be dependent on student demand.

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OFFICIAL DEGREE

Students must fulfill the following requirements to be able to request the issuance of the Official University Degree upon completion of the Master Program. If educational prerequisites are not provided and/or if the requirements are not met on time, the student will not be able to request the official university degree as issued by the Spanish government. In this case, the studies will not be official under Spanish educational regulations.

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Singapore Accreditation

IE School of Architecture and Design is the first Spanish academic institution to be accredited by Singapore, a country renowned for its innovative and vibrant approach to architecture. With this accreditation, our graduates will be able to work with the same footing as graduates from the two Singaporean schools of architecture and expand their global employment opportunities.

MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE - NEXT.

NEXT. is the annual thesis publication of the Master in Architecture (MArch), bringing together a curated selection of final projects from each graduating class, exploring how each volume captures new ideas, research, and architectural visions year after year.

Capstone Projects

Join Franka Ducic and Martina de Prosperi Blanco, recent graduates of the Master in Architecture program at IE University, as they share their insights from their final presentation for the Capstone Project.

Discover how the Capstone Projects serve as a platform for students to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills, pushing the boundaries of architecture and design from insights from Ben van Berkel, Chair, and David Goodman, Dean.

Master in Architecture Capstone Projects:
Franka Ducic
Master in Architecture Capstone Projects:
Martina de Prosperi Blanco
Master in Architecture Capstone Projects:
Insights from Ben van Berkel (Chair) and David Goodman (Dean)
Master in Architecture Capstone Projects:
Franka DucicThe Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid (COAM) and IE School of Architecture and Design join forces in a new collaboration

AMSTERDAM LAB IMMERSION WEEKS

The Amsterdam trip for the Master in Architecture is an incredibly enriching experience for our students. It's very intense, but absolutely worth it.

They are fully immersed in the reality of an architecture studio, spending three weeks at UN Studio, an internationally renowned architecture firm.

During this time, they visit various projects, addressing themes that they integrate into their own designs.

They also conduct site visits to the project sites, have multiple tutorial presentations with professors from UN Studio and the school, and finally present their progress to the jury at the end of this period.

This jury includes Ben van Berkel as the Thesis Chair of the Capstone Project and David Goodman as the Dean of IE School of Architecture and Design, among others professors.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What do you study in a Master’s in Architecture?
The program covers advanced architectural design, urbanism, building technology, sustainability, and professional practice. Students develop both creative and technical skills, learning how to design complex projects while responding to social, environmental, and urban challenges.
How is the M.Arch study plan structured at IE?
The study plan is built around design studios as its core, complemented by technical courses and theoretical input. This structure allows students to apply knowledge through hands-on projects, culminating in a final thesis that integrates design, research, and professional skills.
Does the program cover Sustainable Architecture?
Yes, sustainability is a key pillar of the program. It is integrated across design studios and coursework, addressing topics such as environmental strategies, material selection, energy efficiency, and responsible urban development.
What is the “Final Thesis” or PFC?
The Final Thesis (Proyecto Fin de Carrera) is a major capstone project where students demonstrate their full range of architectural, technical, and conceptual abilities. Developed under expert supervision, it allows students to explore a topic of interest and produce a comprehensive, professional-level project.