Architectural Design, MSc

Profiles in Architectural Design

The programme contains three profiles:

Programme description

The programme is organised around an ambitious range of design studios, which run every semester and vary in scale and complexity. The culture is one of curiosity, creativity and collaboration, and you will work hands-on from day one, applying everything you are learning into concrete, real-world scenarios. These studios cover diverse topics like and exploration of different materials, and are often carried out in close collaboration with external partners.

Sweden has a strong international reputation for progressive and ambitious policies for the climate, and Gothenburg itself has the goal to become a climate neutral city by 2030. The city is in the midst of substantial urban transformation, making it a perfect place to practice architectural design in. There is a rich mixture of contemporary design challenges, including regeneration of ports and waterfront sites, and a focus on modern construction methods with wood and other biomaterials.

The programme treats design as a process of inquiry and problem-solving, a way of investigating and responding to complex challenges like sustainability, inclusion, and housing shortages. Collaboration is central, including some courses shared with engineering students where you work together on design challenges, reflecting the transdisciplinary nature of architecture in the real world. Alongside the practical elements, the programme also includes theoretical work covering architectural history, research methods, and critical analysis, as well as methodical courses focused on things like spatial analysis, parametric design and digital tools.

The foundation of the programme includes sustainable design, architectural theory, and contemporary methods, before opening up into more specialised profiles. These include Architecture and Society, Architecture and Transformation, and Architecture and Technology. These profiles give clarity and depth to your studies while still allowing you to select courses tailored to your specific interests.

The programme frames architectural design through quality of life and social responsibility, technological and material innovation, and the transformation of existing buildings, environments, and resources. This will prepare you to be a competitive and skillful architect in the job market. Ethics, sustainability, and social equity are also deeply embedded, as fundamental dimensions of contemporary architectural thinking and decision-making.

Job opportunities

You will be well-prepared for the rapidly-expanding and technically demanding field of architecture as it exists today. There are immediate pathways into architectural practice, both in Sweden and internationally, including studios working on both new construction and transformations in commercial, residential, and institutional projects with high technical and environmental performance requirements.

Chalmers’ extensive, long-standing collaborations with many of the big architectural, construction, public housing, and city planning organisations in Gothenburg and other Scandinavian cities, will ensure you have excellent opportunities to meet and work alongside professionals in the field during your studies.

You can also move into roles in regional planning, government advisory work, and development organisations. The focus on sustainable design opens paths into design consultancy, health architecture, and policy roles, areas where architectural expertise is increasingly in-demand. If you are interested in research, you will also have an excellent foundation for doctoral studies at Chalmers or at other institutions worldwide.

Research

The programme is embedded in the research environment of the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers, with several internationally active research areas.

Research in housing, design, and transformation focuses on existing environments, from renovation and adaptation of existing structures to questions of resource efficiency and cultural heritage. The Centre for Healthcare Architecture is a leading research centre in Sweden, with strong ties to Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the healthcare industry in the Gothenburg region. The Centre for Housing Architecture connects you to research on housing equity, multi-generational living, and the changing nature of architecture in modern society. The work that goes on at the Digital Twin Cities Centre and the Robotic Fabrication Lab explore the frontier of digital technologies in architecture. All these centers are readily accessible to you as a student, for both research and teaching resources.

Master's thesis projects are often carried out in close collaboration with these research environments, and students benefit from an extensive network of researchers and external partners who contribute to teaching throughout the programme.

Find out more about previous students’ Master’s Thesis Projects

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in: Architecture, Architecture and Engineering, Interior Architecture
Note: A Bachelor of Science with the main field of study Built environment, or a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering does not fulfill the requirement.

Prerequisites:

- Courses taken within architecture, interior architecture, spatial planning or urban design, that together fulfil a minimum of 50% of credits in the degree

- Courses in project design work within architecture, interior architecture, spatial planning or urban design that together fulfil a minimum of 30% of credits in the degree

- A portfolio demonstrating the student’s progression and a documented proficiency in spatially contextualised work within Architectural design, Architectual and engineering and/or Interior design. The portfolio should contain a minimum of 3 projects from preferably academic and individual work - and reflect on the student’s contribution in the teamwork process in the case of projects made in group. In each project it is recommended to present the process, the methodology and the results.

How to submit the project portfolio:

The project portfolio is one of the required documents for this programme. It must be submitted according to the instructions via a unique link for this programme only. For instructions on how to submit your portfolio, read the information and follow the instructions in tab 7 in the section "Submit required documents" (use this link).

Note: Do not submit the project portfolio to your account at universityadmissions.se/antagning.se. It will then neither be assessed nor approved.

English language requirements: Prove your English proficiency

How to apply