Harvesting synergy between engineering and architecture

The master programme in Architectural Engineering trains designers to harvest the synergy between two disciplines: engineering and architecture. The programme provides students with an advanced level of knowledge and insight, and encourages them to be creative and inventive when integrating their knowledge into a complex architectural design. Our goal is to combine the challenges and inventiveness of the modern building industry with a flair for originality and creativity.

All of this is combined with management training, aimed to thoroughly train students to lead architectural projects. An architectural engineer designs complex, sustainable buildings and large-scale architectural projects, and helps shaping the world around us. We offer this programme with cutting-edge, scientific research integrated, optimally preparing you for a wide range of careers.

Architecture and construction engineering intertwined

The Master’s programme in Architectural Engineering combines structural engineering and architectural studies with management training. The programme trains you to design large-scale architectural projects that add value to complex, mainly urban, situations. You’ll be working in a design studio,  where a variety of aspects related to your task come together: analysing a historical, architectural and urban context, setting up a programme and designing a pleasant building complex with adequate materials, an efficient structure equipped with sustainable techniques. This synergy is to be expected, given the complex and advanced nature of architectural design at Master level. The university manages the interaction between these disciplines and combines it with a scientific attitude. This means you’ll receive a scientific education of a high level,  that optimally prepares you for the job market.

Programme structure

The design studio takes up more than one quarter of the Master’s programme and lies at the heart of the teaching project. The compulsory programme comprises courses in architecture and construction sciences: history and theory of architecture, construction and urbanism, structural engineering, design of building equipment, construction management and training in engineering research methods, which allow for the development of the specific features of this training. The optional courses allow students to specialise in a specific scientific field. The programme is complemented with a Master thesis.

Availability of an internship embedded in a specific pedagogical framework

The 60-days internship is an opportunity for students to develop their technical and scientific skills through professional experience in the company or external research centre of their choice, in Belgium or abroad. It’s a chance to explicitly analyse the organisation of the professional world, to develop soft skills (such as communication and interaction), and improve self-awareness, criticism and reflexivity to be better prepared to evolve professionally.The internship opens up opportunities for the master thesis, too: this can be carried out with the same company or research institute. However, during training, activities related to the thesis research should be secondary, as the main focus of the internship lies elsewhere.