On January 1, 2024, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s northern Noto Peninsula. It killed 281 people, injured 600 injured, and destroyed 83,980 homes, forcing over 34,000 residents to evacuate.
But Japan is no stranger to earthquakes — around 1,500 occur annually, and it has continuously worked to build better infrastructure and improve existing disaster response plans.
According to Housing Japan, a trusted leader in Tokyo real estate, homes constructed in the country before 1971 had a 76% collapse rate. This was improved to 21% for homes built from 1971 to 1981, and since 1981, the collapse rate has dropped to 3%.
Naturally, this makes Japan one of the best countries for studying architecture — defined as the study and practice of designing the buildings, communities, structures, and other elements that shape the
built environment by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
But is there really a need to go abroad for an architecture degree?
How studying abroad can make you a better architect
It’s no secret that having an international education can help you become a better person. Still, when it comes to architecture, it will take your future career to a whole new level.
Studying in a country different from yours will expose you to diverse architectural styles, traditions, and techniques.
Take Sri Lanka, for example. As climate change takes its toll on the planet, Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe emphasises that the country is firmly committed to addressing it. One way is through architecture.
Sri Lankan architects are taking measures to integrate climate change criteria into their designs, ensuring that buildings align with sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong has been fighting land scarcity for years. Their limited space has led to skyrocketing housing prices and the unfortunate title of the least affordable place to live for over a decade, according to the 2024 Demographia International Housing Affordability.
However, in 2019, architecture, interiors, and design magazine Dezeen reported that the Hong Kong government had unveiled a 60 billion pounds (US$74.5 billion) infrastructure project called Lantau Tomorrow Vision to address its land shortage by building one of the world’s largest artificial islands.
Hong Kong architects like Gary Chang, the designer of Domestic Transformer, are also developing solutions for compact living, hoping to make life more convenient in a high-density environment.
Plus, you benefit from studying architecture abroad in more ways than one.
Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza was said to have started architecture school after being inspired by
Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí’s work on a trip to Barcelona. Sir Christopher Wren, one of the most acclaimed architects in the history of England, visited Paris to study French and Italian baroque styles — a fact that eagle-eyed architects will notice from Wren’s work on St Paul’s Cathedral.
So, if you’re convinced to pursue an architectural degree abroad, here are some of the best countries to study architecture.
8 best countries to study architecture for international students, from the most expensive to the cheapest
1. UK
While the UK’s architecture has evolved over centuries, its Gothic, Tudor, Georgian, Victorian, and medieval architecture is still prominent nationwide. Besides, Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere else, with over 600 ancient castles.
If your interest lies in modern architecture instead, London architecture is diverse, often embracing contemporary, high-tech and brutalist architecture.
Moreover, the UK has over 13 universities in the top 100 of the QS World Universities by Subject 2024. The list includes but is not limited to the University of Sheffield, Cardiff University, Manchester School of Architecture, and Newcastle University.
The average annual tuition fee for an architectural degree in the UK is between US$22,581 to US$40,000.
2. Netherlands
The Netherlands is ranked the sixth-happiest country in the world, making it one of the best countries to study abroad. Not only will you have friendly neighbours and classmates, but you’ll also get to experience top-tier education.
Delft University of Technology is ranked third in the QS World Universities by Subject 2024 for Architecture and Built Environment, while Eindhoven University of Technology is ranked #44.
Besides, studying architecture in the Netherlands will help you understand how to integrate the past, present, and future — from its iconic canal houses to its sustainable housing designs.
The average annual tuition fee for an architectural degree in the Netherlands is between US$10,398 to US$20,797.
3. China
From Shanghai’s towering skyscrapers to Shanxi’s historic buildings, and from the futuristic city of Chongqing to the natural landscapes of Yunnan, China is undoubtedly one of the best countries for studying architecture.
Studying architecture here broadens your global perspectives. Not only will you be learning the hard science of architecture, but you’ll also learn about philosophical concepts, such as feng shui, Confucianism, Taoism, and more, and how they influence the country’s architecture.
Universities such as Tsinghua University, Tongji University, Tianjin University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Peking University are among the few in the global university rankings for architecture.
Tuition fees are affordable in China, with an average of US$3,300 to US$9,900 per year. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn the second most spoken language in the world, Mandarin Chinese.
4. Japan
Like we said in the beginning, Japan is one of the best countries to study architecture.
Japanese architecture goes beyond the science of building a, well, building. It’s an understanding of the natural world as a source of spiritual insight and an instructive mirror of human emotion, which you’ll learn when studying in Japan.
Its top architecture schools, including the University of Tokyo, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Kyoto University, provide excellent programmes. They are ranked in the top 100 according to QS World Universities by Subject 2024 for Architecture and Built Environment.
Moving to Japan would mean that you’ll be living in the second best country in the world and 14th in quality of life, according to US News and World Report. Tuition fees are also affordable, ranging from US$1,271 to US$45,239.
5. France
Forget France’s high fashion scene; let’s talk about how it’s one of the best countries to study architecture in, especially for international students looking to broaden their global perspective.
France is home to over 100 cathedrals and an estimated 40,000 castles or chateaux, the perfect playground for inspiring architects to explore their passion for this extravagant art form.
While the cost of living in some regions of France may be high, enrolling in a local architecture programme is relatively affordable — it costs between US$936 and US$5,933 per year.
However, it’s important to note that the majority of the universities, such as Sorbonne University, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, the University of Bordeaux, and Grenoble Alpes University, offer their architectural degrees in French.
6. Spain
Not only is Spain filled with historical and geographical architecture, but it’s also one of the few European countries with a low cost of living — making it one of the best countries to study architecture as an international student.
You can expect to live on at least US$1,039 monthly for rent, food, drinks, and transportation in Spain, according to Instarem. That’s not all; the average annual tuition fee in Spain can cost as little as US$788 to as much as US$6,295.
Alongside low tuition and a low cost of living, Spain has some of the best universities for pursuing an architectural degree, such as the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
7. Italy
Home to ancient Roman structures, Renaissance architecture, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pantheon, and more, Italy has to be one of the best countries to study architecture.
As of 2024, the country has 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites — the most in the world — reflecting its unparalleled history and the deep preservation of its cultural architecture. Studying in Italy as an international architecture student will be like living in a museum, constantly exposed to iconic buildings.
Pursuing a degree in Italy will give you a strong foundation in design and construction principles to help build a deeper understanding of architectural evolution. Students will also have the opportunity to specialise in different sections of architecture.
For instance, Politecnico di Milano offers several architectural degrees and specialised options, such as built environment interiors, design and history, urban planning, and landscape architecture.
The average annual tuition fee for an architectural degree in Italy ranges from US$346 to US$2,987.
8. Türkiye
Türkiye’s architectural impact has touched all corners of the world. When you look at Greco-Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman designs, know that they were created from the heart of this European country.
Take the Hagia Sophia, for example. Built between 532 and 537 AD, this historic building is a critical Byzantine structure in Istanbul and has witnessed Türkiye’s architectural changes over the centuries.
The cost of living is relatively affordable — without rent, you can expect to spend an average of US$592 a month. The average yearly tuition fee is also affordable — between US$223 and US$9,249 — making Türkiye one of the best countries for international students to study architecture.
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