Are you also planning to study at some of the best architecture universities in the world? Then, this is your guide to the best architecture universities in the world. Students interested in job roles in architecture, urban planning, interior design, or even construction management can pursue B.Arch and B.Design at the bachelor’s level or M.Arch and M.Des at the master’s level. This article will highlight the top universities in the world where these courses are offered.
Study Architecture in India
Like Universities abroad, India has top architecture universities offering high-quality courses to its students. Students can pursue both Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs at these universities. For B.Arch courses, students must have completed high school in the science stream with relevant subjects, and for M.Arch, students must have a graduate degree from a recognised university.
Students can secure admission to top architectural universities in India by taking entrance exams such as JEE, NATA, CUCET, AAT and MHT CET.
The BArch fee ranges from INR 7600 to INR 26.27 Lakh. The salary of an Architect in India is 24.5 LPA. Some top recruiters hiring BArch graduates in India are RSP Architects Ltd, Gaursons India, Architect Hafeez Contractor, Raj Rewal Associates and Kembhavi Architecture Foundation.
Best Architecture Colleges in the QS World Ranking
In the tables below, we have mentioned the best architecture universities in the world, including India.
Best Architecture Colleges in the world
| Top 10 Architecture Colleges in the World | QS Subject Rankings 2025 (Architecture & Built Environment) |
| University College London (UCL) | #1 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | #2 |
| Delft University of Technology | #3 |
| ETH Zurich | #4 |
| Manchester School of Architecture | #5 |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | #5 |
| Harvard University | #6 |
| Politecnico di Milano | #7 |
| Tsinghua University | #8 |
| University of California, Berkeley | #9 |
| University of Cambridge | #10 |
Best Architecture Colleges in India
India is home to some of the best architecture colleges in the world. Below is a list of the top architecture colleges in India, their locations, and their NIRF ranking for 2024.
| Rank | College Name | Location |
| 1 | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee | Roorkee, Uttarakhand |
| 2 | National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut | Kozhikode, Kerala |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur | Kharagpur, West Bengal |
| 4 | National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu |
| 5 | School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi | New Delhi, Delhi |
| 6 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi, Delhi |
| 7 | Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| 8 | National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela | Rourkela, Odisha |
| 9 | Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
| 10 | Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | Howrah, West Bengal |
Eligibility to Study at the Best Architecture Universities in the World
The eligibility criteria to study at the best architectural universities in the world are:
- Educational Qualifications
- English Language Proficiency
- Entrance Exams
- Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Admission Essays
- Updated Resume
- Portfolio(some universities may require you to submit a creative portfolio for specific programs)
Eligibility Criteria to pursue Architecture in India
The eligibility criteria to pursue architecture courses in India are given below:
| Particulars | Details |
| B Arch Academic Qualifications Criteria | The candidates must have completed Class 12 in PCM
OR They should have completed Class 10 and a 3-year Diploma with mathematics as a compulsory subject. |
| B Arch Marks Criteria | They should have secured at least 50% marks in aggregate. |
| B Arch Age Criteria | There is no prescribed age limit. |
| B Arch Year of Completion Criteria | JEE Main: Candidates who are/have
|
Scholarship for studying Architecture abroad
| Aspect | Steedman Fellowship in Architecture | DAAD Scholarships |
| Awarding Institution | Washington University in St. Louis | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) |
| Focus | Architectural research and travel | Various fields of study in Germany |
| Duration | Nine months | Varies (short-term to full academic year) |
| Amount Awarded | $75,000 (as of 2024) | Varies by program, typically €850-€1,200 per month |
| Eligibility | Architects with a professional degree within eight years of graduation | Varies by program (undergrad, graduate, PhD) |
| Number of Awards | 1 per cycle | Over 100,000 annually across all programs |
- University-Specific Scholarships: Students can also apply for university-specific scholarships. They must inquire about them at their respective universities.
Scholarship for studying Architecture in India
| Scholarship Name | Amount Awarded (INR) |
| Council of Architecture (COA) Scholarship | Up to INR 2,00,000 per year |
| All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) PRAGATI Scholarship | INR 50,000 per year |
| National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) Scholarship | INR 1,250 per month |
| GATE Architecture and Planning Scholarship | INR 12,400 per month |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarship | INR 1,00,000 per year |
Jobs after pursuing Architecture at Universities abroad
After securing an architectural degree from a university abroad, the job prospects are:
- Interior Designing
- Architect
- Urban Planner
- Landscape architect
- Construction manager
- Sustainable Design consultant
Salaries after pursuing Architecture from Top Universities abroad
After pursuing architecture from top universities, salaries depend highly on the specialisation, course, university, etc. Average salaries include:
- The US: $102,477 per year
- The UK: £52,138 per year
- Canada: $99,759 per year
- Australia: AUD 97,000 per year
Conclusion
Many top universities worldwide and in India offer architectural courses to international students. This blog details these universities’ QS/NIRF ranking, courses offered, and average annual fees. After pursuing an architectural degree, you can become an interior designer, architect, urban planner, etc., and earn up to INR 85,80,552.93 annually.
For further assistance with your journey to study abroad, contact us at Admissify. Our team of experienced counsellors will guide you throughout the trip.
