University of Sarajevo

The study programmes in architecture are structured through thematic academic areas, including Architectural Design, Urbanism and Spatial Planning, Theory and History of Architecture, Architectural Structures and Construction Technology, and Spatial and Graphic Visualisation. The Faculty is particularly recognized for its strong studio-based teaching model, research-oriented design approach, and its engagement with real spatial and social contexts. Throughout its history, it has fostered a culture of critical thinking, contextual sensitivity, and integration of heritage with contemporary architectural practice.

Over the course of 75 years, the Faculty has educated generations of architects who have significantly contributed to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s built environment. Its academic community has actively participated in scientific research, international cooperation, exhibitions, and professional practice, maintaining a close relationship between theory and practice.

As a constituent unit of the University of Sarajevo, The Faculty of Architecture continues to develop its educational and research profile in alignment with European higher education standards, while preserving its historical legacy and regional identity.

More about the history of the University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Architecture can be found in the recent publication UNIVERSITY OF SARAJEVO – FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE 1949-2024: 75 YEARS OF EDUCATIONG ARCHITECTS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (https://af.unsa.ba/publikacije/Univerzitet.u.Sarajevu_Arhitektonski.fakultet.1949.2024.pdf ) 
 

The Faculty of Architecture of the University of Sarajevo is located in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Teaching activities take place in studio classrooms, lecture halls, and seminar rooms adapted to project-based education. The Faculty provides spaces for model-making and practical work, supporting the development of design skills through physical models and technical experimentation. Its location within the city offers direct engagement with Sarajevo’s architectural heritage and contemporary urban challenges, which form an important part of the teaching process.

Student Activities
Students of The Faculty are actively involved in academic and extracurricular initiatives through student organizations and representative bodies within the University of Sarajevo.
They participate in exhibitions, workshops, study trips, competitions, and collaborative projects at local and international levels. Student organizations contribute to academic dialogue, peer support, and the promotion of architectural culture. Various public presentations, annual exhibitions of student work, and thematic events foster a dynamic academic environment and strengthen the sense of professional community.

Accommodation
Students of the University of Sarajevo have access to student dormitories managed by the Student Centre of the University of Sarajevo. Accommodation facilities are located in different parts of the city and provide housing for both local and international students.
In addition to university dormitories, students may choose private accommodation in Sarajevo, benefiting from the Faculty’s central location and good public transport connections.
 

Admission Requirements
Admission to the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Sarajevo is conducted in accordance with the regulations of the University of Sarajevo and the legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For first-cycle (Bachelor) studies, applicants must have completed four years of secondary education and successfully pass the entrance examination, which typically evaluates drawing skills, spatial perception, and general knowledge relevant to architecture. Ranking is based on entrance exam results and previous academic performance.
For second-cycle (Master) studies, applicants are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Admission is based on prior academic achievement and criteria defined in the annual call for applications.
Exchange students (Erasmus+ and bilateral agreements) must be nominated by their home institution and meet academic requirements defined by inter-institutional agreements.

Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are determined annually by the Canton Sarajevo authorities and the University of Sarajevo.
For students funded by the Canton (state-funded places), tuition may be fully or partially covered depending on ranking and status. Self-financing students pay tuition fees in accordance with the official decision for the respective academic year.
Exchange students within established bilateral agreements or Erasmus+ programmes generally do not pay tuition fees at the host institution but are required to cover administrative and student service costs as applicable.
 

Bachelor Program – 3-year program – 180 ECTS
The first-cycle study program in Architecture is organized as a three-year academic program (180 ECTS credits) leading to the degree of: Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSc in Architecture)

Master Program – 2-year program – 120 ECTS
The second-cycle study program in Architecture is organized as a two-year academic program (120 ECTS credits) leading to the degree of: Master of Science in Architecture (MSc in Architecture)

Third-Cycle Program – 3-year program – 180 ECTS
The third-cycle study program (Doctoral Studies) is organized in accordance with the Bologna system as a three-year program (180 ECTS credits) leading to the degree of: Doctor of Technical Sciences in Architecture (PhD)

The study program in Architecture is comprehensive and interdisciplinary. In addition to architectural design, the curriculum encompasses urban design and spatial planning, history and theory of architecture, architectural technology and structures, environmental systems, and aspects of landscape and territorial development as well as graphical and special visualization. Teaching addresses the cultural and historical context of the built environment, contemporary urban challenges, and the relationship between architecture and the natural landscape.
The degree structure follows the Bologna three-cycle system and is divided into a three-year Bachelor’s program (180 ECTS), a two-year Master’s program (120 ECTS), followed by a third-cycle doctoral program (180 ECTS).

The curriculum provides students with essential design, planning, and technical competencies, while cultivating a broad understanding of the architect’s professional, cultural, and social responsibilities. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, creativity, spatial sensitivity, and environmentally and socially responsible approaches to design, along with strong communication and presentation skills necessary for contemporary architectural practice. Studio-based learning forms the core of the curriculum, supported by theoretical and technical courses.

The Master of Science in Architecture program builds upon the knowledge acquired during undergraduate studies and emphasizes advanced architectural design, research-based studio work, urban and spatial strategies, sustainability, and contemporary theoretical discourse.
The program emphasizes research-based learning, critical analysis, and advanced design approaches, providing students with the skills to pursue independent professional practice and scholarly research. It is organized around specialized thematic areas that align with the Faculty’s key academic and professional fields.

The doctoral program is research-oriented and designed to develop independent scientific and academic work in the fields of architecture, urbanism, spatial planning, architectural technology, and related interdisciplinary areas. All doctoral candidates are enrolled within the doctoral framework of the University of Sarajevo and conduct their research under the supervision of appointed mentors. Regular seminars, research presentations, and consultations with supervisors support the development of doctoral projects and encourage academic dialogue among candidates. The program aims to educate independent researchers, university educators, and experts capable of contributing to the advancement of architectural knowledge and professional practice at national and international levels.

Research activities at the Faculty of Architecture cover a wide spectrum of architectural and urban disciplines and are carried out within academic departments and research units of the Faculty. The research profile reflects the interdisciplinary character of architecture and addresses theoretical, design-based, technological, and socio-spatial questions of the built environment. Research areas include Architectural design and methodology, History and theory of architecture and urbanism, Urban planning and spatial development, Architectural technology, structures, and materials, Sustainability and environmental design, Heritage studies and conservation of the built environment. The Faculty participates in national and international research projects, collaborates with public institutions and professional bodies, and contributes to scientific conferences and publications. Research outcomes inform teaching activities and strengthen the integration of scientific inquiry with studio-based education. The Faculty also supports the dissemination of research through its scientific journal Acta Architectonica et Urbanistica, a double-blind peer-reviewed international publication dedicated to contemporary research in architecture and urbanism that bridges theoretical reflection and professional practice. https://aaeu.af.unsa.ba/index.php/ojs 
Doctoral candidates are actively involved in ongoing research initiatives, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in architecture and related disciplines.

The Faculty of Architecture at the University of Sarajevo actively develops international cooperation through participation in international projects, particularly those funded under the European Union’s Erasmus+ program. These projects include strengthening educational capacities, modernizing curricula, exchanging academic staff and students, as well as enhancing the connection between the university and the professional sector in the fields of architecture and urban planning. The faculty collaborates with partner institutions from the region and the European Union through joint projects, conferences, workshops, and laboratories—with the aim of improving the quality of teaching, research, and international mobility.
Some of these projects include Architecture Pop up Lab Exchange (APLE), which connects theory and practice through workshops and “pop up” labs for students and teachers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU; HURBE – Healthy URBan Environment, which modernizes curricula in architecture and urban health and enhances the quality of education through European collaboration; MED4REGEN EU Interreg Project that aims to turn museums and cultural institutions into catalysts for a more sustainable, regenerative form of tourism in the Mediterranean.
In these initiatives, the Faculty of Architecture collaborates closely with distinguished partners such as University of Technology in Brno, University of Stuttgart, Politecnico di Bari, University of Basilicata, University of Zagreb, and others through University agreements for  Erasmus + moblities, fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge, expertise, and innovative approaches across borders.
In addition to its international activities, the Faculty of Architecture also strives to strengthen cooperation with local authorities, public institutions, and community stakeholders, contributing to urban development processes and the improvement of the built environment in Sarajevo and the wider region. Through research, planning initiatives, and applied projects, the faculty actively participates in addressing local spatial, environmental, and cultural challenges.
Among these local initiatives are projects such as CULTURAL DISTRICT SARAJEVO: KULiSA, which integrates urban and cultural aspects of the local community through participatory and digital methods, and INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO IDENTIFICATION, VALORIZATION, AND EXPLOITATION – H GREEN, which focuses on the development of green agro-production facilities through interdisciplinary cooperation and innovative approaches to sustainable development.

Some of these projects are available on the following links:
https://apleproject.com/ 
https://af.unsa.ba/publikacije/Kulisa.publikacija.2025.pdf 
https://af.unsa.ba/publikacije/NOVO_Novo_Sarajevo_Novi_urbani_protokol.pdf