Master's Degree Programme Architectural and Cultural Heritage (MAC) Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

The programme leverages the rich cultural heritage of its location and surrounding regions.

Students receive instruction in history, theory and praxis design of preservation, drawing on examples from UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the area, and going into the technical aspects of the field. Alongside these regional case studies, the curriculum offers a global perspective on the principles and practices of monument conservation.

Encouraging hands-on experience, the programme incorporates practical training and field excursions. Students are guided through the philosophical foundations and analytical approaches essential to understanding and preserving monumental heritage.

Compulsory Courses:

• Fundamentals of Architecture Conservation
• European Architecture History
• Research Methods and Practice
• Architectural Drawing and Surveying
• Inorganic Building Materials
• Organic Building Materials
• Garden and Landscape Planning
• Urban Planning

Elective Courses (among others):

• Cultural Heritage
• Archaeology, Conservation, Curation, and Restoration
• Landscape, Urban Landscape, Urbanism
• Historical and Contemporary Issues
• Architectural Construction
• Computer Technology
• Tourism and Management
• Public Speaking and Communication
• General and Interdisciplinary Studies
• German I/II/ III
• Technical English I/II

Fourth Semester:

• Master's Thesis
• Colloquium/Defence

Students are expected to complete 30 credits each semester, which comes up to about six courses per semester.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree from a programme with a duration of three to five years. The degree should be in architecture or a related discipline, such as archaeology, art history, geography, civil engineering, history, or urban planning. Applicants from other programmes with substantial relevant professional experience in the field of conservation or restoration may also be considered for admission.

Applicants must submit proof of at least one year of professional experience. A portfolio / work sampler must also be submitted, including examples of design, analysis, or writing that confirms the applicant's interest in the field. 

You can find all the information about the application process on our website: https://www.hs-anhalt.de/en/study/paths-to-university/your-application.html.

You will find all information about the application process via uni-assist as well as the required documents at the following link: https://www.uni-assist.de/en/how-to-apply/.

Approximately 322.80 EUR semester contribution

(This covers a contribution to the Student Services and Student Union of about 96 EUR, plus a public transport semester ticket. Increases in the semester ticket from the side of the provider may change this contribution fee. Please look for updates on the website of the university.)

Living expenses are approximately 992 EUR per month (as of April 2026), including accommodation and general living costs.

This monthly amount corresponds to that required by the Foreigner's Office as proof of financial safety, and the yearly sum is usually a requirement for the visa process. Check the current monthly amount on the official websites.

https://genf.diplo.de/genf-en/sperrkonto-388600

If you are under 30 years old, this includes approximately 150 EUR per month for mandatory health insurance (a special discounted rate for students). If you are over 30, the cost may be significantly higher—up to two or three times more—and largely depends on the type of insurance and provider you choose. Additionally, it is recommended to purchase voluntary personal liability insurance, which costs approximately 70 EUR to 120 EUR per year, depending on the provider.

In Germany, students holding a study visa are permitted to work a limited number of hours. Specific details are provided by the local Foreigners’ Office ("Ausländerbehörde") and reflected in the residency permit. Numerous part-time job opportunities are available, including positions in the blue-collar sector.

The university's Career Service offers our international students a wide range of tailor-made services for a successful career start in Germany. It guides students in designing a professional curriculum vitae, supports with further qualifications and helps to develop new career perspectives. The Career Service is also a contact point for companies and institutions looking for highly qualified staff with an international background and wanting to establish contact with students at an early stage. To find a job in Germany, German language skills at level B2 or better are usually needed.

Guidance and support for founding your own business are also available through the "Co-Found IT!" initiative.

Housing is to be found and secured individually by students. The student dorms are run by the Student Union and will usually prioritise younger students at the Bachelor's level.
https://www.hs-anhalt.de/en/life/dessau/housing.html