Amsterdam Academy of Architecture

Where does the Academy of Architecture stands for?

Studying in an international context
We stand for an open and inquiring attitude, for experimentation, and we encourage students to adopt their own position. We consider the city of Amsterdam to be the laboratory for the design assignments of our students and lecturers. The Academy maintains close contacts with the professional community in the region, with public services, commissioning parties and developers. Our study programmes also occupy a prominent place internationally. The Academy has strong ties with related degree programmes abroad. Students from all corners of the world study at the Academy, international guest lecturers and speakers regularly visit, and students often participate in foreign excursions and projects.

Studying and working simultaneously
Studying and working go hand in hand during the degree programme. That combination means that the students and lecturers are directly involved in the practice of design and research. You will already form an active part of a broad network of colleagues during your study. Those who graduate from the Academy often remain involved in the degree programme. The student becomes an employer and, on the basis of that position, a lecturer or mentor for a new generation of students.

Interdisciplinary
Architecture, urbanism and landscape architecture are independent disciplines within the Academy, which are partially offered in combination. In this way, students are prepared for the current, integrated professional practice that simultaneously demands specialisation and breadth from students. The Academy of Architecture is the only educational institute in the Netherlands that offers the Master’s programmes in an interdisciplinary manner. This combination lends the Academy a unique position within the Netherlands and abroad.

International
A study trip abroad, studying at another degree programme for a semester or setting up a project with a group of foreign students; that’s all possible at the Academy. We maintain an active network of European degree programmes, through which students and lecturers are exchanged on a small scale. The Academy is a member of the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE) and is a partner of the European Masters in Landscape Architecture (EMiLA), through which you can obtain the ‘European Master in Landscape Architecture’. The Academy has been working together in an Erasmus programme, on the basis of which international workshops are organised. In addition, there are many foreign projects and partnerships with different design programmes in Europe. In the summer months, we organise the so-called Summer School: various international excursions which you can participate in.

Inspiring environment and topical debate
The Academy of Architecture is located on the Waterlooplein in Amsterdam in a 17th-century building complex refurbished by Claus en Kaan Architecten. The Academy occupies a unique place in the cultural life of Amsterdam and plays an active role in the professional discourse. Lectures, workshops, events and exhibitions are organised in cooperation with other organisations. Lecture series - open to students - based on topical themes take place throughout the year.

Title of architect
After obtaining the Master’s title (Master of Science), you are entitled to start an independent professional practice and granted immediate admission to the register of architects, urbanists and landscape architects.

Practice-oriented research in the education
The world is changing continuously and increasingly quickly. Social, practical and technical developments make new demands on a designer. That is why the Academy integrates practice-oriented research into the education. The professors organise masterclasses, projects, excursions, exhibitions and lectures within their research programme.

Part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts
In order to arrive at new insights and innovations, you must be able and dare to look beyond the borders of your own field. The Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK) offers students a broad orientation in terms of arts and culture, and for that reason attaches great importance to the fact that students are able to gain knowledge of developments within the other arts disciplines. Within the range of programmes offered at the AHK, we provide room for collaboration with other degree programmes and international exchanges.