The programme combines the best architectural education standards and pedagogical expertise in Europe, striving for academic excellence and international recognition.
The programme combines the best architectural education standards and pedagogical expertise in Europe, striving for academic excellence and international recognition. The bachelor’s degree in architecture is the first step in preparing students for further study related to architecture, urban planning and professional architectural practice, contributing to the international competitiveness of future professionals.
FAD is a member of the European Association for Architectural Education EAAE from 2022. www.eaae.be
Admission requirements
Please read the admission rules published on our website under Study at RISEBA -> Admission rules
Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work (12 pages of A3 size, horizontal, PDF format) reflecting their individuality, creativity and capacity for work. The portfolio should include the following categories: drawing, drafting, composition, sketching, painting or sculpture, photography and free choice).
Entrance examinations
To study in this program, the following entrance examinations must be passed:
Entrance examination in drawing Download the requirements here
Entrance examination in English Download the requirements here
Preparatory courses:
In order to ensure that the first step towards the diploma is a safe and confident one, RISEBA offers preparatory courses for each of the entrance examinations of this study programme:
Drawing courses
English language courses
The programme provides students with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and competences necessary to work in the fields of architecture, design and urban planning. During their studies, students enhance their analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities, as well as acquire research skills to be able to perform design tasks in different contexts and develop creative concepts, while learning how to be socially responsible young professionals. Although the outline of the course is similar in each year of study, students are offered unique design assignments, which are updated taking into account current issues related to the built environment in the city of Riga and beyond. During the semester, the student’s work is evaluated based on the student’s performance and participation, creative, iterative and continuous design process, and the ability to overcome various challenges.
The architecture programme has nine basic modules:
Architectural Design (AP)
Fine Arts (TM)
Construction Technology (BT)
Project Management, Economics and Law (ET)
Urban Planning (PP)
History and Theory of Architecture (VT)
Humanities and Social Subjects (HS)
Internship (PR)
Bachelor’s Thesis (BA)
Upon completion of this programme, the graduate is prepared to work as an architect and urban planner in architect offices (including international ones), as well as in state or municipal institutions responsible for buildings, spatial planning, and human settlement development, such as the city construction board. The bachelor’s degree also prepares the graduate for further master’s studies in architecture or other fields related to the arts of environmental design.
Master’s programme After graduating from the bachelor’s programme, a student can continue his/her education in the master’s programme “Architecture”
Any full-time student of the bachelor’s programme who has completed at least one year of study can participate in the Erasmus+ exchange programme. A student can study for 1 or 2 semesters at one of RISEBA’s partner universities. The duration of study mobility is 2–12 months. The student does not have to pay for the period spent in the study and internship exchange programme abroad; the tuition fee is covered by the partner university, but the student continues to pay the RISEBA tuition fee. For the period spent abroad during mobility, the student is awarded an Erasmus+ scholarship to cover the costs of transport and accommodation. Erasmus+ internship mobility provides that a student can undergo an internship in one of the companies of interest in one of the Erasmus+ programme countries. For this internship period, the student receives an Erasmus+ scholarship. The duration of internship mobility is 2–12 months. Find out more about Erasmus+ and how to apply here!
It is important to highlight the study environment, which is very friendly, motivating, dynamic, and creative thanks to these aspects:
• Students learn the program in small groups, which is a maximum of 24 students in a group;
• Since the studies are conducted in English, a large number of teachers and students are foreigners – which provides an international learning environment;
• Every year the student goes on foreign study trips, creates exhibitions together with teaching staff, prepares publications, publishes books;
• Students are allowed to regularly participate in open lectures given by industry professionals