Architecture

Fall Term (September)

• Architectural Design
• Architecture and Urbanism
• Art, Culture and Technology
• Building Technology
• Computation
• History, Theory, and Criticism of Architecture
• History, Theory, and Criticism of Art
• Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture

Required:

• Online application
• Statement of objectives
• Transcripts
• English proficiency exam scores – international applicants only
• Portfolio or Writing Sample, as appropriate

Portfolio instructions:

Some degree programs require a portfolio of design work and/or writing sample (maximum 30 pages). Applicants should follow instructions detailed on the Architecture website under the degree program of their interest.

For all applicants:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

• The Department of Architecture does not accept GRE scores and will not consider GRE scores during the evaluation of your application. If you have shared your scores in other applications, these scores will not be visible to the review committee.

For applicants whose primary language is not English:

See Department Policies for more information on the ELP test requirement for Architecture applicants.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• Minimum score required: 7
• Electronic scores send to: MIT Graduate Admissions
• Current scores only; scores must be less than 2 years old

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• Minimum score required: 100 (iBT) or 5 (iBT26)
• Institute code: 3514
• Current scores only; scores must be less than 2 years old

Duolingo English Test (DET)

• Minimum score required: 135
• Electronic scores send to: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Graduate Admissions
• Current scores only; scores must be less than 2 years old

Cambridge English Qualification (C1 Advanced test or C2 Proficiency test)

• Minimum score required: 190
• Electronic scores send to: MIT Graduate Admissions

Review the Graduate Admissions test scores policy here.

Test scores deadline: All test scores are due by the application deadline, but test scores must be verified by the test provider no later than August 15, 2027.

Dept ELP waiver policy: The Department of Architecture does not grant English Language Proficiency test waivers. We are not accepting appeals to this policy at this time. Please plan to provide test scores in order to submit your application.

ELP Test Requirement:

All applicants whose primary language is not English will be required to submit ELP test scores in order to complete an application for review. The department does not grant ELP waivers under any circumstances.

Supplemental Materials:

Applicants should not send any supplemental material with their applications.

Official Transcripts:

An unofficial transcript (or English translation) from each university should be uploaded in the application. Only admitted applicants will be required to send a hard copy of an official, sealed transcript (with English translation) from each school attended. Any discrepancy between the unofficial transcripts and official transcripts may result in a rejection or withdrawal of our admission offer.

The Department wants to make it possible for all of our students to graduate with a debt no larger than they can reasonably expect to repay while working in their profession.

Financial aid from the Department is in the form of direct tuition awards and Departmental employment. Financial aid awards to Master’s degree students are in the form of a partial tuition award. Master’s degree students are also eligible to compete for work opportunities in the form of Teaching or Research Assistantships or hourly positions.

STEM Designation is broken up by degree program and area. Nearly all Architecture programs/areas are STEM eligible except the following:

• SMACT
• PhD – History, Theory, and Criticism
• SMArchS – History, Theory, and Criticism
• SMArchS – Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture