10 Best Architecture Universities In The World

As a child, did you ever build plastic buildings using your Lego collection? Well, so did Ted Mosbey! For the people who can't relate, don't worry; we believe there is a Ted in you, too! But to reach where he is, you’ve gotta start at the best architecture universities in the world, right? From amazing innovation at MIT to the timeless charm of Harvard, these 10 best architecture universities in the world offer a canvas for your unique architectural story.

10 Best Architecture Universities in the World

1. University College London - UCL 

Location: London, United Kingdom

Established in:1826

Website: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ 

Ready for the UK adventure? The Bartlett School of Architecture at UCL tops the charts globally and proudly claims to be the best architecture university in the world. Known for groundbreaking research and pioneering space syntax, it's no wonder Bartlett is among the world's best architecture universities in the world. It ranks 2nd in the UK for research power (REF 2021), with 11 academic faculties and a legacy of excellence, including 30 Nobel laureates. UCL boasts a diverse community with over 150 nationalities, offering more than 400 undergraduate and 700 postgraduate programs.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT 

Location: Massachusetts, United States of America 

Established in: 1861

Website: https://www.mit.edu/ 

MIT, the architectural superstar, held the title as the world's best architecture university for three years straight, only recently surpassed by UCL in 2023. It offers 71 undergraduate majors, with 6 available as second majors for architecture. For the 2023-2024 academic year, there are 357 Master's and 192 Doctoral students enrolled in this school. MIT students hail from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, 4 territories, and 136 foreign countries. Women make up 49% of the undergraduate population and 40% of graduate students. Additionally, 58% of undergraduates and 22% of graduate students identify as members of one or more U.S. minority groups.

3. Delft University of Technology 

Location: Delft, Netherlands

Established in:1904

Website: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ 

Delft University of Technology is one of the best architecture universities in the world. It is ranked #127 out of 14,131 universities worldwide and #34 in Europe. It holds the top spot in Delft and ranks #4 in the Netherlands. Particularly distinguished in Product and Industrial Design, where it ranks #2 out of 1,024, TU Delft excels across multiple disciplines, securing top 10 positions in 12 additional subjects. With 128,002 publications and 3,037,992 citations, its research spans diverse fields such as Engineering, Physics, Environmental Science, and Quantum Physics. After knowing this, it seems like it's a given that this is the world's best architecture university.

4. ETH Zurich 

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Established in: 1855

Website:https://ethz.ch/en.html  

One of the best architecture universities in the world awaits in Switzerland! ETH Zurich, a science and technology rock star, excels in architecture, tying for third place globally with Delft. ETH Zurich's student population saw an 83% increase in 2021 compared to 2007, with a 27% acceptance rate for international students, highlighting its highly selective admissions process. In 2021, 37% of international students from over 120 countries enrolled. Enrollment distribution was 16% for bachelor's, 42% for master's, and 74% for doctoral programs. Time to explore the scenic landscapes of Switzerland and dive into architectural innovation at ETH Zurich!

5. Manchester School of Architecture 

Location: United Kingdom

Established in: 1996

Website:https://www.msa.ac.uk/  

Moving on to the next best architecture universities in the world, discover the Manchester School of Architecture, a collaboration between the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. In April 2024, the MSA achieved its highest-ever ranking, placing 5th globally and 2nd in the UK in the QS World Subject Rankings. Notable alumni and staff include Pritzker Prize winner Norman Foster, Stirling Prize winners Stephen Hodder and Norman Foster, and RIBA Annie Spink Award recipient Dalibor Vesely.

6. Harvard University 

Location: Cambridge, United States

Established in: 1636

Website:https://www.harvard.edu/ 

Unlock your potential at Harvard University in the USA, standing tall as the sixth-best architecture universities in the world. Harvard attracts a diverse and talented student body from around the globe, with 54,008 applicants and 1,974 admitted.. With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio and 71% of classes having fewer than 20 students, Harvard provides an intimate learning environment. The university boasts an 87% four-year graduation rate, a nearly equal gender distribution (48% male, 52% female), and over 111 sports teams.

7. National University of Singapore 

Location: Singapore, Singapore

Established in: 1980

Website: https://nus.edu.sg/ 

Explore architecture in Asia at the National University of Singapore, ranked 7th best architecture universities in the world.The college has a total student population of 31,827 across all colleges, faculties, and schools. Of these, 30,615 are enrolled in full-time courses, with 15,739 male and 14,876 female students. Enjoy warm weather while pursuing the highest-ranked tropical architecture program. 

8. Tsinghua University 

Location: Beijing, China (Mainland)

Established in: 1911

Website:https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/  

Discover top-notch architecture education in Beijing at Tsinghua University, the second Asian best architecture universities in the world on our list. It has a competitive acceptance rate of around 15% for its graduate programs, with the master’s even more selective at approximately 10%. The university comprises 21 schools and 59 departments, supported by 3,837 faculty members and 2,838 postdoctoral researchers. It has a student body of 59,270, including 16,320 undergraduates and 22,423 postgraduates, with a significant number of international students across all levels. Renowned for its beauty, the Tsinghua campus earns a spot among the world's most picturesque, according to Forbes magazine's architect panel.

9 . University of California Berkeley 

Location: Berkeley, United States

Fees: $31,916

Website:https://www.berkeley.edu/  

Embrace the Californian dream at UCB, ranked ninth globally for architecture. It boasts an 82% 4-year graduation rate and a student/faculty ratio of 19:1. With 50% of classes having fewer than 20 students, it provides an intimate learning environment. The university has 32,831 undergraduates and 12,914 graduate students, totaling 45,745 full-time degree-seeking students, with a gender distribution of 44% male and 56% female. UCB secures the 10th spot in the QS World University Rankings for 2024 and is one of the world's best architecture universities. 

10. Politecnico di Milano 

Location: Milan, Italy

Established in: 1868

Website: https://www.polimi.it/ 

Bask in the allure of Italy at Politecnico di Milano, the country's largest technical university, securing the tenth spot globally in best architecture universities in the world. It enrolls 47,959 students, including 8,258 international students, and 1,893 PhD students. The university ranks 11th in Europe and 1st in Italy for H2020-funded research projects (2014-2020) and houses a renowned Statistics group. With an acceptance rate of just 28%, admissions are highly competitive, especially for international students.

Best Architecture Universities In The World: Quick Summary

These top architecture universities in the world are your stepping stones to turning dreams into reality. Here is a short summary:

From MIT's innovation to the historic allure of Harvard, these institutions offer a canvas for architectural wonders. It's time to shape, create, and influence the future of our built environment with your unique touch!