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Deutsch Who Should Study Architecture & Real Estate Management (B.A.)? Overview of Requirements and Target Group
The Bachelor's degree programme in Architecture & Real Estate Management is aimed at individuals interested in the interface between architecture, construction technology, business administration, and the real estate industry. The course is suitable for anyone who wishes to take on responsibility in the planning, development, administration, or management of real estate and buildings in the future. Typical target groups include both school leavers with the general university entrance qualification (Abitur) who are specifically passionate about architecture and real estate topics, as well as professionals with technical, commercial, or craft training who are seeking an academic qualification in this field. The programme is not intended as a training route to become a registered architect, as it does not enable registration in an architects' register, but it imparts a unique competence profile at the interface of planning, management, and real estate business.
What Admission Requirements Apply for This Bachelor's Degree Programme?
To be admitted to the Architecture & Real Estate Management (B.A.) programme at the Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM), certain formal requirements must be met. Possible access routes include:
- General university entrance qualification (Abitur) or comparable university entrance qualification
- Advanced technical college entrance qualification
- Master craftspeople (e.g. master craftsmen/women according to the Crafts Code)
- State-certified technicians
- Mastercraft candidates with advanced technical college entrance qualification
- Business administrators of the craft sector or those accredited by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK)
- Graduates of two-year specialised vocational schools
- Specialist managers and specialist purchasers
- State-certified business administrators
- Professionally qualified individuals: persons with a secondary school leaving certificate, at least two years of completed vocational training, and a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience. If the training is not directly related, an entrance examination is required.
The verification of university entrance qualification is carried out in accordance with the legal provisions of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. There is no numerus clausus (NC). The qualifications mentioned must be documented with the corresponding certificates and proof.
Personal requirements for the programme are a strong interest in architecture and real estate topics, basic economic and technical understanding, as well as analytical thinking. Prior knowledge in the fields of business, construction, or technology is useful but not mandatory. Communication skills, teamwork, and the willingness to solve practice-oriented problems are also important in everyday studies. Good German language skills are required; basic English skills are advantageous for understanding certain modules (e.g. business English, international real estate markets).
What Content Does the Architecture & Real Estate Management Degree Cover?
In the Bachelor's degree programme Architecture & Real Estate Management, you acquire a combination of technical know-how, economic expertise as well as skills in management and personal development. The programme is designed to prepare you for interface roles between construction, planning and real estate management.
- Technical and architectural content: You learn the basics of building construction, building physics and materials science, deal with building knowledge, typologies, design techniques as well as CAD and BIM (Building Information Modeling).
- Construction and real estate management: The programme includes construction project management, construction project controlling and cost calculation, construction and real estate law as well as knowledge in building energy and facility management.
- Resilient and sustainable real estate: Topics such as real estate markets, project development, administration and transactions, infrastructural building and space management as well as Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) are covered.
- Economics and management: Basics in macro- and microeconomics, accounting, business mathematics, statistics as well as strategic management and sustainable corporate governance are part of the curriculum.
- Personal development and soft skills: Modules such as business English, team management, presentation, academic work, business plan development and digital business processes complete your profile.
Practical relevance is established through projects, practical phases and the integration of lecturers with professional experience.
How Does the Architecture & Real Estate Management Degree Programme Proceed?
The programme is designed as a full-time degree course and lasts 36 months (6 semesters). At the Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM), you benefit from small study groups and close, personal support.
- Combined study programme: The study concept combines on-campus phases with live lectures in the virtual lecture hall and modules in self-study via the FHM Online-University.
- Tri-modular system: FHM divides the programme into trimesters and provides a clear structure with a fixed study schedule.
- Practical orientation: Practical projects, excursions and direct insights into current industry topics accompany your studies.
- Support and exchange: FHM relies on study groups, personal supervision and offers a modern, digital learning environment.
- Degree: Upon successful completion, you will be awarded the academic degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).
Please note: The degree does not entitle you to registration in an architects’ register and is not a classical architectural degree.
What Career Prospects Do You Have After Graduation?
As a graduate of the programme, you are able to take on diverse tasks at the interfaces of technology, economics and management in the real estate sector.
- Architectural firms
- Specialist planning offices
- Real estate project development
- Estate agencies
- Housing companies
- Real estate holders
- Property and real estate management (Asset & Property Management)
- Corporate & Public Real Estate Management
- Construction project management
- Construction supervision & project control
- Facility management
- Building cleaning industry
Your tasks can cover the entire life cycle of real estate: from planning, appraisal, development and marketing to the administration of technical systems and facility management.
Where Does the Degree Take Place?
The degree is offered as an on-campus programme at two locations:
- Frechen (near Cologne): Easily accessible in the Rhineland, central location and a family-like campus atmosphere.
- Hanover: Well connected regionally, with personal support and practical relevance.
Both locations offer modern campus facilities, compact learning groups and a practice-oriented study atmosphere. The digital infrastructure and online components in the combined study programme also enable flexible learning in terms of location and time.
What Does the Degree Cost and How Can You Finance It?
The full-time Architecture & Real Estate Management (B.A.) degree costs 525 € per month at both locations over 36 months. This results in total tuition fees of 19,400 €. Additionally, a final examination fee of 500 € is charged.
- Total costs: 19,400 € for the entire degree (excluding further additional fees; plus final examination: 500 €)
- Payment options: Monthly payment of 525 € possible
You have various options to finance your studies – for example, through BAföG, student loans or scholarships. FHM offers advice on individual financing options.
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