Undergraduate Degrees

Architecture Undergraduate Degrees

HOW TO APPLY

The School of Architecture’s undergraduate architecture program combines the intensity of a professional education with opportunities afforded by a world-class research university. Our rigorous curriculum emphasizes design, as well as history, technology, representation, and structures. Early on, students are introduced to basic conceptual skills and the fundamental elements of architecture. They learn to communicate their ideas through models and drawings, working fluidly and seamlessly between analog and digital representation. In later years, they apply lessons learned to both real-world and speculative problems.

STUDIO LEARNING
At the center of the student experience is a sequence of studio courses that serve as laboratories of innovation. Studio learning encourages dialogue, collaboration, risk-taking, innovation, and learning-by-doing. Studio also fosters a close, tight-knit community and our students forge relationships that last a lifetime.

The design studio offers a synthetic form of education, where project-based learning becomes the foundation for developing an understanding of and commitment to the school's core values — broadmindedness, interconnectivity, professionalism, exploration, and activism — all in service of architecture's fundamental mission: to improve the quality of the built and natural environments.

DEGREE TYPES OFFERED
We offer two undergraduate degrees. A professional five-year degree and a pre-professional four-year degree. The School of Architecture also offers dual degrees, detailed below.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

A hand places a small object on a white architectural model with various geometric buildings, roads, and open spaces arranged in a grid-like layout.

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE [BARCH]

A five-year professional degree, the Bachelor of Architecture features a rigorous design-oriented curriculum with a solid foundation in technology and the history of architecture. The degree is evaluated and accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board and contains the required academic coursework to pursue internship, and eventually, licensure.

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A cross-section rendering of a modern theater building showing wooden seating, a stage, and high angled ceilings, with geometric clean lines and a minimalist design in warm tones.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES [BSAS]

A four-year pre-professional degree with an optional architectural history track that contains part of the coursework required for licensure. BSAS must be followed by a professional degree to pursue licensure and is an excellent platform for future graduate studies in architecture and associated fields.

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Axonometric rendering of a modern housing complex with multiple rectangular wooden buildings arranged in a grid on a tree-lined urban block, bordered by Willow St and Chalmers Ave. A project overview is shown in the top right corner.

DUAL DEGREES

The School of Architecture also offers two undergraduate dual degrees. These include the Bachelor of Architecture / Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering, sponsored jointly with the Cockrell School of Engineering, and the Bachelor of Architecture / Plan II Honors, sponsored jointly with the College of Liberal Arts.

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ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

The School of Architecture is one of the smallest academic units at The University of Texas at Austin. Our undergraduate student body exemplifies the diverse constitution of the communities we strive to serve. In support of unique perspectives and experiences, all applications are reviewed with an understanding that excellence may manifest itself in many areas and may be expressed in different forms. Visit our Undergraduate Admissions page for more information and Frequently Asked Questions.

STUDENT WORK

Click for project details.

An isometric illustration shows a futuristic, circular city with pastel-colored buildings and structures on a grid platform in a desert landscape, connected by roads. Sparse plants and rocks are scattered outside the city.

Architectural rendering of a tall, modern building with a grid-like wooden facade stands among trees and smaller structures under a partly cloudy sky, with people walking near the entrance and lush greenery in the foreground.

Digital rendering of a futuristic architectural building with sharp, angular shapes, large glass surfaces, and illuminated walkways at night. Several people walk on the paths, and drones fly in the cloudy sky above the dramatic structure.

Architectural rendering of a single-story white building with a red roof sitting behind lush tall grass and a gravel path. A tree and shrubs are in front, with sheds and barns in the background. Two people are walking in the left foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

Model photos and architectural diagrams of a modern, angular structure. The left side shows the building model outdoors from different angles; the right side features technical floor plans and descriptive text explaining the design concept.

A black-and-white architectural diagram shows an exploded axonometric drawing of a building on the left and a bird’s-eye view of a city block with high-rise structures and streets on the right.

Illustration of a modern architectural park with curved red buildings, grassy areas, trees, paved walkways, and a pool with people swimming and walking throughout the space.

A digital rendering shows a modern park with tiered green spaces, benches, and trees beside a bridge. Below, a sports field with players in white outlines extends under the structure, with pathways and seating areas throughout the park.

Digital rendering of a complex arrangement of modern, box-shaped modular units stacked densely, each featuring open balconies and wooden railings, resembling an abstract architectural structure.

A grayscale infographic shows three interconnected circular dials labeled “Chronologic,” “Legal,” and “Social,” with arrows linking each to related case studies and news clippings around the image’s sides.

A digital architectural rendering shows an L-shaped, multi-story building complex with blue-tinted glass facades and central courtyards, surrounded by geometric, white structures and elevated roads.

Architectural rendering of a modern city square at dusk with people walking, cars parked, and a large, contemporary building with glass and concrete facade as the focal point. Trees line the paved area and silhouettes of birds are visible in the sky.

Architectural rendering of a modern courtyard with beige buildings, palm trees, and plants surrounding a pool where people relax, swim, and sunbathe under umbrellas on a sunny day. A person in a wheelchair moves along a pathway.

Architectural rendering of a sunlit street with people walking and cycling between modern glass buildings, trees lining the sides, and a tram on the right. The scene is bright and lively, suggesting an urban, eco-friendly setting.

A cross-section view of a modern, partially underground building with large windows, sloped roofs, and outdoor stairs, set in an earthy landscape with trees in the background under a cloudy sky.

Digital illustration of a woman on a balcony overlooking a lively, modern residential community with white buildings, greenery, people socializing, and various shops and cafes at street level under a bright sky.

Six isometric architectural diagrams show a progression from simple rectangular buildings to complex, multi-faceted structures with varying rooflines, cutout sections, and landscaped ground patterns on a rectangular plot.

Architectural rendering of a modern, angular concrete building partially buried in snow sits on a mountain slope, surrounded by snowy peaks under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds.

Architectural rendering of a modern lab with wooden walls and large windows overlooks snowy mountains. A scientist works at a counter, while two people in winter gear walk outside on a terrace. Desks, shelves, and maps fill the workspace.

Architectural floor plan of a multi-wing building with pathways, green trees, and outdoor seating areas. Internal units and common areas are visible. Street labels W. 20th St. and Guadalupe St. appear at the edges.

Digital illustration of a modern outdoor courtyard with geometric gray walls featuring large abstract murals. People are walking, sitting at tables, and talking. There are green bushes and a tree, creating a calm, urban atmosphere.

Architectural model of a site with two large red-brown buildings, a smaller white building with yellow tables outside, trees, walkways, and parking areas, displayed on a neutral background.

Architectural rendering of a modern building with a large overhanging roof and a façade of vertical, light-colored structural elements is shown from the street, with trees and houses on a sloped road in the foreground.

Black-and-white architectural section drawing showing a mountain with buildings, trees, and a tower structure in the foreground. Hilly terrain is visible in the background.

A digital architectural cross-section of a multi-story building with plants on the roof; neon yellow human figures stand and interact on different floors, with birds flying outside against a dark, striped background.

An isometric wireframe drawing of a geometric building with multiple intersecting rectangular volumes, stairs, and platforms, shown on a plain white background.

A geometric sculpture made of thin wooden sticks connected in a complex, open framework, forming an abstract, angular structure. The sculpture is set against a plain black background.

Black and white architectural drawing showing clustered pitched-roof buildings, trees, paths, and nearby rectangular structures, viewed from an elevated, angled perspective. The scene suggests a planned neighborhood layout.

Digital rendering of a modern, pyramid-like building rises from the water, featuring sloped sides, thin vertical columns, and a rooftop garden with people. City skyscrapers stand in the background under a pink sky. Waves crash against the structure.

A futuristic architectural 3D rendered model shows a large, tree-like building with stacked, irregular white blocks, terraces, and greenery on multiple levels, surrounded by more traditional white buildings under a blue sky.

Digital rendering of a geometric architectural structure with multiple layered platforms, stairs, and terraces. People are scattered throughout the levels, sitting or walking, while sunlight casts strong shadows across the scene.

In this architectural rendering, a person kayaks on a calm pond with birds nearby; another person sits in a canoe. In the background, there is a modern red brick building and tall city buildings surrounded by greenery.

A collage featuring historic photos and architectural drawings of the Texas Memorial Museum, alongside a modern site plan with highlighted building outlines in red. Trees, pathways, and surrounding structures are visible.

Black-and-white architectural site plan showing a pathway leading from a circular seating area under a large tree to a modern, angular house. Outdoor furniture, plants, and garden features are visible throughout the landscaped area.

Diagram showing the process of massing: starting with blocks, trimming to site, reducing, arranging unit types, and ending with a 3D printed model with stacked purple, pink, and white components.

Architectural rendering of a modern building with large glass windows illuminated by soft yellow lights, set in an urban environment with trees and silhouettes of people walking nearby.

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On November 2, Founding Principal of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects (@teneyckla), Christine Ten Eyck, presents “TEN Things.”
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A legacy that continues to shape what comes next.
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Don't Get Too Attached
▫️ by Ria Bravo (@riabravodesign)
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In the inaugural volume of The Plot, we looked at how Josh Conrad, Ph.D., mapped the digital and physical stacks of the John S. Chase Architecture and Planning Library.
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On October 26, acclaimed architect Michael Maltzan (@michaelmaltzanarchitecture) presents his lecture, “Scales of the City.”
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Beautiful scenes from Genoa, Italy 💜

Architecture student Gabriela Fuentes sent these photos in, documenting her time working with @rpbw_architects as part @utsoaprp!
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Introducing a new annual print publication from the School of Architecture: The Plot.
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Scenes from our BLOCKWORK symposium 🧱
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Organized by Professor Francisco Gomes. Thank you to The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (The Beauty of Block) and the Texas Masonry Council (@txmasonry)
for supporting the symposium.
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On October 12, Johnston Marklee (@johnstonmarklee) founding partner Mark Lee will be on campus to celebrate the opening of the firm’s exhibition “Looks and Books.” with a lecture titled “Now and Then.”