Top universities for Architecture & Design in 2026
Global #1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, USA · QS #1
Top universities for Architecture, Urban Planning and Design programs. The list below is ranked globally by QS, then grouped by country so you can shortlist by destination. Click any university to see its full IELTS / tuition / intake profile.
Global top 50 for Architecture & Design
Ranked by QS where available; unranked direct partners are listed alphabetically below the QS-ranked tier.
USA (30)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge | #1 | 7.0 | View → |
New York University (NYU) - School Of Professional Studies | #42 | 7.0 | View → |
Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong | #65 | 6.0 | View → |
Antioch University - Seattle | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Barcelona Graduate School of Economics Barcelona | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Fuqua School of Business Durham | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
Greensboro College Greensboro | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Harbour Space University Barcelona | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon | #99 | — | View → |
Lasell College Massachusetts | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Maryland Institute College Of Arts(MICA) | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Masachucettes Institute Of Technology (MIT) Cambridge | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Merrimack College North Andover | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Nova Southeastern University Davie | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
NYU GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Parsons School of Design New York City | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Rochester Intitute Of Technology | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Roger Williams University Bristol | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Rollins College Winter Park | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
SC Johnson College of Business Ithaca | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
School Of The Museum Of Fine Art (SMFA) Boston | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
SEAS, University Of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Ann Arbor | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Stanford University Stanford | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
UC Davis (Hot Piss) | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
University Of Arizona | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
France (8)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
Atelier De Sevres | #51 | 6.5 | View → |
École Supérieure de Commerce | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
HETIC (GALILEO GLOBAL EDUCATION) Paris | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Ipi Paris Computer Science School | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
KEDGE Business School Marseille, Bordeaux, Paris, Toulon | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
EDHEC Business School Lille | #120 | 6.5 | View → |
LISAA (GALILEO GLOBAL EDUCATION) Paris | #123 | 6.5 | View → |
Aivancity School for Technology, Business & Society, Paris-Cachan Cachan | #150 | 6.5 | View → |
Germany (6)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
Bonn Graduate School of Economics Bonn | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
HSD Hochschule Döpfer | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
SRH University of Applied Sciences Leipzig | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Technical University of Braunschweig Brunswick | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
NAVITAS - GERMANY | #108 | 6.5 | View → |
New Zealand (3)
Australia (2)
Netherlands (1)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
Rhine | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
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Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score is required for Architecture & Design programs abroad?
- IELTS requirements for Architecture & Design typically range from 6.0 to 7.5 overall, with 6.0 in each band the most common minimum. Top-tier universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology usually require 7.0+. See each university's row in the table above for the exact band, or look up any university by name on /ielts-score-for.
- Do I need GRE or GMAT for Architecture & Design masters programs?
- Standardised tests like GRE or GMAT are not always required for Architecture & Design masters; requirements vary by program and country. UK, Canada, Germany and Australia rarely require GRE/GMAT for Architecture & Design. Check each university's admissions page for the current policy.
- Which countries are best for Architecture & Design?
- Top destinations for Architecture & Design in 2026 include USA, France, Germany, Netherlands, Australia. Choice depends on tuition tier, post-study work rights, and the cost-of-living math for your budget. Use the "Shortlist by country" rail above to compare.
- Is Architecture & Design in demand globally?
- Top universities for Architecture, Urban Planning and Design programs. The roles linked to Architecture & Design have appeared on every major industry skills-shortage list since 2020 (LinkedIn Emerging Jobs, World Economic Forum Future of Jobs, US BLS occupational outlook), and most destination countries fast-track post-study work permits for graduates of these programs. Check the country-specific PR pathway pages on /studyabroad for the visa-to-PR math.
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