MSc in Civil and Architectural Engineering

At the start of the study, you choose between five study lines. The choice of study line is a choice of a course package that influences the first three semesters. Currently, the study lines are

• Infrastructures and Geotechnical Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Innovative Structural Design
• Building Science and Technology
• Construction Management and Engineering

Apart from the courses that belong to the study lines, several elective courses can be chosen. In the third semester, a 15 ECTS project course was taken on a topic relating to the study line. Also, in the third semester, many students choose to study abroad at another university. The final semester is the master thesis semester, where you choose the topic. The master thesis work may be in cooperation with an external company.

The programme is taught by faculty members who are active researchers, so students benefit from a research-intensive environment and have the opportunity to work with researchers, as well as the chance to complete a project in collaboration with a private company.

Research at the Department

At the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at Aarhus University, we create sustainable, technological solutions to some of the biggest challenges faced by businesses and society through research and development.

Admission Requirements

The following Bachelor's degrees qualify students for admission to the Master of Science in Engineering degree programme in Civil and Architectural Engineering if mathematical competencies in level, extent and content equal to at least 20 ECTS on Bachelor level in Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory and Statistics can be documented.

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Architectural Engineering from a Danish University specialising in either Construction Management, Integrated Energy Design/Technical Installations, Basic Bearing Construction, Geotechnical Engineering or Architectural Engineering.
• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil and Architectural Engineering from a Danish University or University School of Engineering provided that the academic competencies with at least 60 ECTS in one of the specialised fields of either Construction Management, Integrated Energy Design/Technical installations, Bearing Construction, Geotechnical Engineering or Architectural Engineering can be documented.
• A Bachelor of Science degree with at least 60 ECTS in Civil and Architectural Engineering can qualify students for admission, provided that the academic requirements for the graduate engineering degree programme are met.
• Other qualifications can provide admission to the graduate engineer degree programme, provided the university assesses that their level, extent and content correspond to the degrees mentioned above.

In connection with possible admission, further requirements can be stipulated regarding the composition of the degree programme.

Download the appendix for your application

If you apply for admission with an international Bachelor's degree, you must fill in this appendix and upload it to the application portal. The appendix serves to help the Admission Board assess your Bachelor’s degree in regard to the admission requirements.

Language requirements

To qualify for admission to English language programmes you must document English language qualifications comparable to an "English B level" in the Danish upper secondary school (Danish upper secondary school level). See the general English language requirements.

Limited intake from Summer Admission 2025

From the summer admission 2025, the following will take effect. The Master’s programme only admits a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme.

Allocation of student places is based on an overall assessment. Allocation of student places is based on an overall assessment. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assess applicants on the basis of the following criteria:

Academic background

• Relevant courses* (measured in credit units) included in your Bachelor’s degree
• Grades achieved on relevant courses*
• Overall grade level – Bachelor’s degree

* Relevant courses include core courses within the subject areas of Mathematics and Engineering Design of Buildings, and either (1) Structural Mechanics, (2) Building Science, (3) Structural Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, or (4) Construction Management.

Please note that grades obtained after the time of application cannot be included in the assessment of grade level.

The admissions committee assess each applicant based on the information provided in diplomas, transcripts, and course descriptions.

Programme Structure

Studylines in Civil and Architectural Engineering:

• Infrastructures and Geotechnical Engineering - Summer intake
• Infrastructures and Geotechnical Engineering - Winter intake
• Structural Engineering - Summer intake
• Structural Engineering - Winter intake
• Innovative Structural Design - Summer intake
• Innovative Structural Design- Winter intake
• Building Science and Technology - Summer intake
• Building Science and Technology - Winter intake
• Construction Management and Engineering - Summer intake
• Construction Management and Engineering - Winter intake

Competence Profile

With a Master’s degree in Civil- and architectural engineering, you have the following skills:

• You have general knowledge of architectural engineering and detailed knowledge of key disciplines, methodologies, theories and concepts within Civil- and architectural engineering.
• You can independently plan, manage and implement projects and apply the results in scientifically relevant decision processes.
• You can assess the applicability and appropriateness of theoretical, experimental and practical methodologies for the analysis and solution of scientific questions and issues.
• You can structure your competence development independently and critically.
• You are able to systematically and critically familiarise yourself with new subject areas.
• You can relay and communicate academic questions and issues to both a scientific and a general audience.
• You can collaborate constructively on a scientific basis to solve subject-related issues.

Job Opportunities

The varied forms of teaching, collaboration in groups and the opportunity for close scientific dialogue with the researchers, as well as the strong relationship with the industrial sector, provide graduates with competencies that are in great demand in the global job market. These competencies include abstract, critical and independent thinking, analytical skills, and strategic planning. You can use these skills in many contexts – even in jobs you didn’t know you were qualified for.

Previous graduates of the MSc Civil and Architectural Engineering programme are employed by consulting engineering firms, entrepreneurial firms, property companies, architecture firms, or in the building component industry. Graduates typically work in roles that involve developing and designing advanced building constructions, advanced energy technology solutions and industrialised building components – frequently in interdisciplinary collaboration with architects and designers.

At the start of the study, you must choose between five study lines. A study line is a course package that influences the first three semesters of the Program. Currently, the study lines are:

• Geo-technics and Infrastructure
• Structural Engineering
• Innovative Structures
• Indoor Climate and Energy
• Construction Engineering

In addition to choosing a specific study line, a number of elective courses can be chosen throughout the duration of the Program. In the third semester you must take a 15 ECTS project course focusing on a topic relating to your study line. It is also possible to study abroad at another university during the third semester. The final semester is dedicated to writing your Master’s thesis on a topic of your choice, following consultation with your professors. It is also possible to write your thesis in collaboration with an external company.

The varied forms of teaching, group collaboration, and close scientific dialogue with researchers, as well as the department’s strong relationship with the industrial sector, give our graduates competencies that are in great demand on the global job market, including abstract, critical and independent thinking, analytical skills, and strategic planning. You can use these skills in many contexts even in jobs you didn’t know you were qualified for. Previous graduates of the MSc in Civil and Architectural Engineering have found jobs with consulting engineering firms, contractors, property developers, architecture firms, or in the building component industry.

Graduates typically work in roles that involve developing and designing advanced building constructions, advanced energy technology solutions and industrialised building components frequently in interdisciplinary collaboration with architects and designers.