About Architecture
In contrast to construction-related abilities, architecture is the art and method of building and designing. Buildings and other structures are created through the processes of drawing, conceiving, planning, designing, and building. Buildings themselves are examples of architectural works, which are frequently regarded as both cultural icons and artistic creations. Historical civilizations are frequently identified by their remaining architectural achievements. Therefore, students majoring in architecture learn how to plan and create buildings. They gain knowledge of the discipline's history and theory while also developing their own architectural sketches in the studio. Moreover, they study courses in math (including geometry, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus), science (most likely physics and engineering), statistics, computer science (especially 3D modeling and linear programming), and art during their time as an architectural student (such as drawing and art history).
Study Architecture in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a highly well-liked place for education. International students select this stunning country because it has some of Europe's top colleges, good living standards, a welcoming population for foreigners, and one of the world's happiest and safest places to live. The Netherlands is also known for its creative technology and engineering solutions. Moreover, do not worry about language hurdles; over 90% of Dutch people speak English. Bike lanes and the "cycling culture" will also ease transportation, and there are a variety of internships and jobs available to international students. If you would like to study Architecture, it might be an excellent option to study in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has among the greatest programs and is one of the best countries to study architecture. Numerous programs offer a variety of architectural disciplines and support academics of international students with big projects. In the Netherlands, a bachelor's degree in architecture has connections to fields of study like graphic design, user experience design, construction engineering, and the arts.
Advantages of Studying Architecture in the Netherlands
The Netherlands' architecture schools are renowned for their challenging curriculum and affordable tuition. The Dutch architecture schools are among the best in the world, and the Netherlands is noted for its excellent architectures. These unique and historical architectures would be an inspiration for international students in their architecture projects. International students will benefit from studying architecture in the Netherlands by learning about design principles, original concepts, and much more. Students can become experienced specialists who design buildings by learning how to cope with color, contrast, lighting, texture, and many other factors. Moreover, students at Dutch architecture universities have a wide range of options to work on projects, including hotels, workshops, museums, and residential areas.
Career Paths for Architecture Degree Majors
There are many additional choices for you to think about, even though the majority of architecture graduates will want to become chartered architects to work professionally.
Architect: As an architect, you'll collaborate closely with customers to create brand-new structures or extensive additions or adjustments to pre-existing ones, making sure they're secure, economical, and practical. Contrary to popular belief, there are many different types of careers in architecture.
- Designing new structures or remodeling older ones is known as building architecture.
- Planning, designing, and managing open spaces in both urban and natural settings is known as landscape architecture.
- Naval architecture is the design of ships and other marine craft.
Typical duties of architects include controlling projects' environmental impacts, coordinating the construction process, resolving any planning concerns, collaborating with other design experts, and adhering to financial budgets.
Architectural technologist: It is also known as an architectural technician. In this profession, you will utilize your science and engineering expertise to build and renovate durable, resilient, and sustainable structures. You'll produce and present design concepts and give clients technical advice using computer-aided design (CAD) and conventional drawing techniques.
Interior and spatial designer: Using their architectural, creative design, and project management talents, interior and spatial designers create or renovate internal spaces, fixtures, and fittings to make sure that they are both aesthetically pleasing and functional (although some designers will focus exclusively on the appearance rather than the structure of interior spaces).
Building surveyor: If you like problem-solving and have a keen interest in the design and construction of structures, a job as a building surveyor might be right for you. This position is concerned with conserving, modifying, fixing, remodeling, and restoring existing buildings.
Town planner: You will seek to balance the clashing demands of the local environment, population, and economy while working on behalf of everyone in the region and with other experts like architects to come up with creative, sustainable development ideas.
Historic buildings inspector: Historic building inspectors aim to advance the preservation of the historic environment and support the preservation and improvement of historical, architectural, and culturally significant structures. You will visit historical places to survey them, offer advice on the best preservation techniques, and participate in regeneration projects that will help the local area, the economy, or the environment.
Thus, there are various options for you as an architecture graduate; what to choose totally depends on you.
What Skills Do I Need to Become an Architect?
Being an architect is a great career option since it's stimulating, well-paying, and allows you to have a big impact on how societies are built. However, in order to be a successful architect, one should consider whether they have the skills the job requires. Likewise, there are 15 skills that an architect should have:
- Numerical Skills: You must have a firm understanding of numerical concepts, especially in the areas of geometry and advanced algebra, because the entire concept of architecture is based on the laws and limitations of mathematics.
- Creative Skills: The fundamental purpose of an architect is to be creative and to produce new ideas.
- Design Skills: Creating something that looks pleasing is essential; however, it must also be practical, viable, and tailored to your clients' needs and demands.
- Legal Knowledge: The multitude of building codes, regulations, and policies that must be followed will be the most significant constraint on your designs. Having a basic understanding of what you can and cannot do will be very beneficial for everyone.
- Communication Skills: An underrated but crucial component of the work is knowing how to communicate successfully with each individual and making sure that everyone's requirements are addressed. It frequently determines whether a project is delivered successfully.
- Teamwork Skills: An architect's toolkit must include the capacity for collaborative work.
- Commercial Awareness: You can connect with the right clients and land the right projects by being aware of the industry you work in.
- Artistic Skills: You must be knowledgeable with the procedures and techniques employed, including how to scale precisely, whether this is done using 'old-school' drafting techniques or Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.
- Problem Solving Skills: To handle a design-related issue fast and effectively, you must be adaptable and flexible.
- Visualizing Skills: Once a client gives brief demands, the architect must imagine what is asked for.
- Engineering Skills: A basic understanding of physics and engineering principles is consequently necessary because an architect cannot submit a design to a structural engineer if it cannot be implemented.
- Leadership Skills: There will be situations when you dictate and assign specific tasks to different contractors, along with young architects and technicians, so leadership skill is a must.
- Attention to Detail: A single misplaced window or a hurriedly designed plumbing system can result in issues and delays. Therefore, paying attention to details is important.
- Computer Literacy: The majority of architects have switched to digital technology; it is a good idea to be familiar with computer literacy.
- Building and Construction Knowledge: An in-depth knowledge of the construction's tools, materials, and processes is required of architects.
Is Architecture Right for Me?
Those who are thinking about majoring in architecture should be creative as well as have a keen eye for detail. For the purpose of creating accurate, secure, and useful designs, architecture students should possess a solid understanding of concepts from the sciences of geometry and physics. A career in architecture requires collaboration with clients, engineers, and other architects; thus, students thinking about this degree should also love working with others. They should be able to handle criticism properly and continue with their projects after receiving certain feedback. Architecture majors should be ready to put in the work, both in school and in their careers, as architects frequently put in long hours, especially to meet deadlines. If these conditions appeal to you, architecture is right for you. However, if you are still confused, you should consider filling out forms and being guided by our education advisors. They will help you to clear your mind for your future career.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Architect?
Bachelor's degree in the Netherlands is 3 to 4 years. A Master's degree is 2 to 4 years, depending on the university.
The Best Universities to Study Architecture in the Netherlands
Numerous universities in Holland specializing in architecture offer master's and bachelor's degrees in the field. The top universities for architecture in the Netherlands are:
- Eindhoven University of Technology: Eindhoven University is a public university that is located in Eindhoven. The department of architecture promotes sustainability, safety, comfort, and image in the built environment by creating and sharing advanced knowledge.
- University of Amsterdam: It is a public university located in Amsterdam. The three altitudinal disciplines of architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture are combined at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture. The course combines study and work; half of it entails design education and the other comprises gaining work experience in a relevant part-time role.
- University of Twente: It is a public university located in Overijssel. Students will learn sophisticated modeling languages and architectural patterns necessary to create enterprise information systems in the course Architecture of Information Systems. A student who completes a bachelor's and master's degree will have exact, scientific information, abilities, and values that they can apply to their future employment.
- Utrecht University: It is a public university located in Utrecht. Students in the Utrecht program are prepared to tackle problems like promoting sustainable urban development, addressing shifting socio-spatial needs, navigating the challenges of metropolitan areas and real estate growth during difficult economic times, or controlling environmental changes in an unknowable climate.
- Wageningen University: It is a public school located in Wageningen, Gelderland. Students in Wageningen University's architecture program for the outdoors are challenged to solve urgent global landscape concerns while working on realistic, true-life issues. The course equips international students with the information and abilities they need to create meaningful, useful, lovely, and sustainable landscape designs.
Architecture Admission Requirements
Almost all the universities accept applications on the same website; Studielink.nl. Pay attention and carefully review the list of documents because each university has different application criteria. You can get in touch with the student services at your potential university if you have any inquiries or need assistance with your enrollment.
Typically, the necessary documents are:
- a copy of your ID or passport
- a passport photo
- a personal statement in English
- copies of secondary school transcripts in any of the following languages: English, French, German, or Dutch
- transcript of records
- evidence of Dutch or English language proficiency
- Some colleges can need additional paperwork, like:
- resume or cv (including two referees)
- motivation letter
- An illustration of academic writing
In order to prove your language level, you need to show exam results. If you want to study the field in English, you must take IELTS or TOEFL. To study in Dutch, you must have a Dutch TUL or Dutch NT2-II diploma. Moreover, some universities apply math and history exams to architecture candidates.