STUDY ARCHITECTURE

why should you apply?

Enrollment in the Bachelor course (Bc.) for the study programme – Architecture and Urban Design – means that you will be taught the basic theoretical and practical background skills, and competencies, necessary to enter the architectural profession. Once you successfully complete the course, as a young graduate you will be provided with a degree that will allow you to apply for a Masters’ study programme at the FAD, or anywhere in Europe. You will also be entitled to cooperate on architectural and urban design projects under supervision in architecture studios in Europe and beyond. 

This study programme is taught as a project-based learning course in the framework of Design Studios. In these Design Studios, students will apply and demonstrate their understanding of the knowledge acquired from subjects such as: Basics of Structures and Technology, History of Architecture, Typology, Urban Design, Restoration of Monuments and Historical Sites, Design Ecology and Sustainability, Interior Design and Universal Design. In order to help the students develop their sense of aesthetics and artistic expression, as well as to prepare them for the architectural practice, this programme incorporates courses in arts (drawing and 3D clay modeling) and lessons in diverse CAD and BIM software applications.

The first three years of this study programme is made up of several compulsory subjects. However, in the fourth year, the student may choose from nine topic-based modules with Design Studios. Alternatively, the student may take advantage of a study-exchange and study abroad under the Erasmus+ exchange mobility programmes (over 50 European university partnerships). The final year of study is dedicated to a Bachelor thesis: you will demonstrate the ability to write project documentation for all stages of the design process – from preliminary plans and schemes up to the implementation of projects.

employment opportunities

As a graduate with a Bachelor’s (Bc.) degree, you will be qualified to develop architectural designs, and implement the projects for simple, or small scale structures independently. When supervised by an authorized architect, you will be able to develop architectural projects of a larger scale, as well as develop urban design projects and plans. Moreover, you will be eligible for junior architect positions in the state and regional administration, and be employed in different creative, technical, and business positions in the construction industry. Graduates are allowed to practice the profession all over the European Union.

Based on your results, interests, and proven efforts you can strengthen your engagement through close cooperation with practicing architects on term assignments and/or serving your internship in an architectural studio.

The FAD STU also supports an interdisciplinary start-up incubator, where you can further develop your ideas, design, and work under the close supervision of mentors from the academic field, as well as from practice. So you are encouraged to start your business in a familiar environment and initiate a successful career!

why should you apply?

If you are a graduate of a Bachelor course (Bc.) in the field of Architecture, Urban Design or in any of the recognized study fields, then you successfully passed the first prerequisite!

Enrollment in the Master’s (Ing. arch.) study program Architecture will allow you to further explore your creativity! During this course, you will acquire new abilities to develop complex architectural ideas, and design new buildings, as well as participate in the reconstruction of historical buildings, including their interiors and exteriors. You will be eligible to draft technical documentation of all project stages from architectural design, from working on building permit projects, through to construction plans. Working at an urban scale, you will be eligible to develop urban designs and masterplans. You will make use of the understanding of cultural, intellectual, historic, socio-economic and ecological relations of the architecture and the environment. 

The modules of Design Studios are organized in 24 so-called “vertical studios” that form the core of the study programme. Each vertical studio has around 16 students with diverse skills and experiences based on their study level – these candidates are either from the Bachelor’s or Master’s studies. The students may choose a specific vertical studio based either on their interest in a certain topic, or on their preference of a pedagogue – or most likely a team of pedagogues. Vertical studios are tutored by leading Slovak architects who are active in practice.

The final thesis is structured in two parts – a Diploma Seminar and a Diploma Design Project. You will have to prove your ability to prepare a comprehensive architectural design of a building with both interior and exterior spaces. It also includes producing an urban plan through the architectural design of buildings, as well as the solution of the artistic and technical details in a creative and original manner. You will also need to coordinate the aesthetic, technical, and structural design with the financial, environmental and social requirements of construction.

employment opportunities

The professional qualification enables the graduates to practice as an architect in all twenty-seven states of the European Union. Provided that the graduates successfully pass the authorisation exam of the Slovak Chamber of Architects (SKA), they will be allowed to practice as an alone-standing architect without limitations.

As a graduate, you will be capable of understanding the cultural, intellectual, historic, and socio-economic relations of architecture and the environment. You will be eligible to develop architectural ideas and designs for buildings, including the interiors and exteriors, produce urban designs and master plans for the urban development. You will have necessary competencies to be able to supervise, participate in, and organize the coordination of aesthetic, technical, construction, financial, environmental, and social requirements in a built project. After graduating, you may also apply for a PhD study and follow a more scientific path, should you wish.

The FAD STU also supports an interdisciplinary incubator start-up, where you can further develop your ideas, design and work under the close supervision of mentors from the academic field as well as from practice. So you are encouraged to start your business in a familiar environment and initiate a successful career.

why should you apply?

The PhD study programme offered in Architecture at FAD STU, reflects on current research and artistic orientation, and enables you to refine your individual profile and creates opportunities to focus on theoretical and scientific exploration. The study fosters your ability to work creatively and independently on projects of theoretical, research & development (R&D) or of an artistic nature, and to analyze and solve challenging problems in your respective study fields. This may even prepare you for establishing your own creative R&D or artistic practice.

The Architecture programme deals with the theoretical research of architecture, experimental design methods, architectural typology research, assessment of the environment, sustainability in architecture, historiography and architectural critique.

The key research areas range from Body Conscious Lab, new technologies (augmented and virtual reality, generative design process based on the use of new software), and includes sustainable architecture and restoration of particular monuments, as well as many other contemporary and visionary topics related to architecture. The University Science Park, located at FAD STU, creates a platform for product manufacturing and is equipped with new technologies such as laser, CNC machining, 3D printers, etc. which can be used for extensive research.

We have our own scientific journal, ALFA, which provides a great opportunity to publish research work along with other local and international researchers. As a PhD researcher, you can work independently on your dissertation, however, you will have an individual tutor for focused and specialized advice and consultation. Research teams, made up of tutors and their PhD students work on specific projects, and are supported by funding and grants that enable even more intensive collaboration with international partner institutions. You will also have the possibility to apply for an internship via a number of applicable schemes (e.g. Erasmus+).

As a postgraduate researcher, you can work in the areas of research and education, governmental or communal consultancy. You may even have the opportunity to become a regular member of the faculty staff and pursue further research in the field of architecture. You can continue your work in cooperation with international partners within international research projects and give specialized lectures.