Digital Technologies in Architecture and Design (DTAD) Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Are you interested in the interplay between architecture, design and digital technologies? Do you have an affinity for digital applications and methods, and would you like to implement innovative approaches? With its experimental and practice-oriented fields of research, the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism offers exciting new fields of activity and project-oriented studies in cooperation with the Faculty of Media and the Faculty of Art and Design.

The degree programme is application-oriented and interdisciplinary, focusing on the penetration and communication of innovative digital technologies and their interaction with societal developments, discourses, and needs (cultural, political, economic, ecological, etc.) in architecture and design. Graduates will be able to handle, penetrate, and apply new digital technologies in an interdisciplinary manner. This includes developing digital innovations in the fields of construction, planning, media, and design, as well as linking them to curatorial or administrative areas. The teaching integrates scientific and economic perspectives aimed at promoting innovative digital concepts in sustainability and transformation to the point of business creation.

The Master's programme is English-taught and internationally oriented. The core is team-based and application-oriented project work. To this end, students address changing topics on new digital technologies from various research and application areas for interdisciplinary design and implementation processes. In doing so, they develop fundamental digital and design competencies and skills as well as their own expressions and design approaches (digital literacy). Additional discourse-practical and methodological offerings are provided for the critical contextualisation of the innovations under examination. Special attention is given to medial, experimental, transformative, sustainable, and social aspects. Current topics such as (i) creative digital explorations, (ii) transformative technologies, (iii) collective experiences, (iv) intelligent systems, or (v) digital sustainability are addressed.

In-depth study content:
The interaction of the different subject areas outlined below allows for a differentiated examination of various issues.

• Design Theory and Design Research
• Design and Building Form Studies
• Informatics in Architecture and Urbanism
• Interface Design
• Physical Computing
• Emerging Technology and Design
• History and Theory of Arts and Cultural Techniques
• Society and Digitalisation
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Virtual Reality and Visualisation

Digital Technologies in Architecture and Design consists of three main instructional forms: design projects, seminars, and lectures.
The project modules are central to the project-based study programme. The project structure enables exemplary work on the open presentation of problems. Here you will already encounter the interrelation between theoretical and design-practical orientations. The emphasis placed on both theory and practice can be determined by the student. Plenum, individual consultations and presentations structure the project module. Work in interdisciplinary project groups allows you to experience cross-over learning methods and strengthens your skills for interdisciplinary teamwork. Project consultations are offered in an interdisciplinary way by professors from the architecture faculty and the media, art and design faculties.
An alternative to the projects set by the respective professors is a "free" project topic, which is developed by the students themselves but is carried out under the guidance of instructors in the relevant area of studies. In this way, an active participation of the students in the shaping of the study programme is encouraged.
Theory and subject modules supplement the course offering as elective requirements. They make a more theoretical or a more design-practical orientation possible. Methodical as well as conceptual skills and the use of tools in close connection with concrete tasks and questions can be acquired in such a manner. This generally takes place in lectures, seminars and specialised courses.
In accordance with the individual interests and thematic focus, electives supplement the course offering. They are offered by the faculties of architecture, arts and design, and media. Additionally, international students are offered German language courses.

First semester:
The Introductory Project serves as an in-depth introduction to the areas of the participating chairs focusing on interdisciplinary aspects, as well as an orientating examination of the problems particular to the course of study. It is accompanied by a theory module with the specific expertise of different professorships.

Second semester:
Project Module II serves as a continuative project development in the research profile of the studies. It is supplemented by a project-related, specialised course.

Third semester:
Project Module III serves as a continuative project development in the research profile of the studies. The third semester offers the opportunity in its detailed orientation for study or an exchange with one of the international project partners or for an internship.

Fourth semester:
The fourth semester is reserved for completion of the Master's thesis. A Master's colloquium accompanies the thesis work.

Partner universities (upon Learning Agreement for the third semester):

• Finland: Aalto-yliopisto / Espoo (one place)
• Sweden: Blekinge tekniska högskola  |  Karlskrona (Software Engineering / Computer Science) (two places)
• The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, USA (one place)

An internship in the third semester is not compulsory, but it is possible if it leads to adequate results as a replacement to project module III. It is formally based on a learning agreement.

Non-EU applicants
Apply online until 15 May via uni-assist: https://www.uni-assist.de/en/

EU applicants (including Switzerland)
Applicants with citizenship from EU countries or possessing a first degree from a European country apply online by 25 June via the campus portal: https://campusportal.uni-weimar.de/.

Applications are only accepted online through the above portals.

Students must either hold a relevant degree or equivalent certificate in architecture, media, digital arts or related fields with a scientific or artistic/design-oriented degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or "Diplom") and have equivalent professional experience. Additionally, students must pass the aptitude test.

The original document in German or in English, or a certified translation, must be submitted with the application.

Proof of English language proficiency at level B2 (minimum requirement) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) must be provided through certificates.

Applicants whose native language is not English must provide proof of this language proficiency. Exceptions are possible if an English-language degree or a full degree from an English-speaking country can be proven.

Application details: Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: Application

The semester contribution is approx. 340 EUR per semester. This is allocated to student services & the student council. It includes the "Deutschlandticket", which provides free regional public transport (bus and train) in all of Germany. Moreover, it provides student discounts for meals at the university cafeteria, for theatre and museum tickets, and access to the university sports complex. Additionally, the student ID card costs 20 EUR (one-time fee).

In Weimar, living expenses tend to be lower than in larger German cities. We recommend that students budget approx. 1000 EUR per month:

• Health insurance approx. 160 EUR
• Books and stationery approx. 70 EUR
• Rent approx. 350 EUR
• Meals approx. 220 EUR
• Other expenses approx. 200 EUR

Students coming from outside the EU need to provide proof of financial resources amounting to 992 EUR per month in order to obtain a residence permit.

There are opportunities for students who are looking for teaching and research assistantships at the university or part-time jobs with local companies and within the service sector of the city. 

Jobs are offered on the "Pinnwand" message board of the university, on the job portal operated by the Career Service, and on the "Studierendenwerk Thüringen's" Job Search platform.

International students from outside the EU are only allowed to work a limited number of hours in Germany (140 full days or 280 half days per year). Student jobs at the university are exempt from this rule. 

There are scholarships granted by the university as an institution. There are scholarships based on academic merit and/or social engagement for second-year and more senior students.

The International Office grants scholarships through the Erasmus+ programme that support students (including international ones) who are going abroad for studies or internships.

The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Career Service supports students both during and after their studies. The Career Service offers individual career consultation, workshops and seminars on entering the workforce or starting a new career.
https://www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/studies/careers-service/

You can find accommodation in Weimar through the "Studierendenwerk Thüringen", which manages more than 1,000 apartments in the student halls of residence. These halls of residence are located at various locations in the city and are geared towards different needs and preferences. Accommodation costs between 250 and 350 EUR per month, depending on the size and location. The university itself does not provide accommodation.

If you want to rent a room through the "Studierendenwerk Thüringen" – which we strongly recommend to all newly arriving students – it is paramount to apply as early as possible as spaces are limited.

Further information: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/housing/residential-homes.html
Online application: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/housing/application/online-application.html

Typically, between two and up to five students share an apartment. Students have their own bedrooms and share a kitchen and a bathroom. Most rooms are furnished (bed, desk, chair, cupboard, shelf), but kitchenware and appliances are not included. Mentors for international students provide assistance in settling in during the first couple of days and also organise events.

Students advertise private and shared flats on the message board ("Pinnwand") on the university website: https://www.uni-weimar.de/de/universitaet/aktuell/pinnwaende/bereich/wohnen/.