Information for term Global Architecture + Design
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenThe Global Architecture + Design program invites design, architecture, or sustainability majors or minors to create model cities that address climate change by reducing the environmental footprint of buildings. All courses are taught in English, and students take the required Future Cities Design Studio; Design and Sustainability Seminar; and Science and Technology Workshop at the CIEE Global Institute - Berlin. Hands-on workshops with cutting-edge technology are led by experts from Berlin’s architecture and design community. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Unique Experiences
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EXPLORE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN BERLIN
with guided visits to experimental cooperative housing at Spreefeld and urban farming culture at Prinzessinengärten.
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DELVE INTO A RANGE OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
from the Bauhaus in Dessau to baroque palaces in Potsdam.
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PARTICIPATE IN A GROUND-BREAKING DESIGN
to improve city living.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
3 -
trees line the streets
400K -
miles of bike paths
390
Location & Culture
Click to OpenThe Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Visit landmarks by celebrated architects, such as the Reichstag Dome by Foster and Partners, and Potsdamer Platz buildings by Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
- Explore innovative projects such as Spreefeld, an experimental sustainable housing cooperative; Prinzessinnengärten, an innovative urban community garden; or Tempelhofer Feld, a historic airfield now home to a major public park.
- Visit two cities celebrated for architecture on overnight trips to cities such as Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, or Prague.
- Get out of the classroom to investigate design in person, at the East Side Gallery section of the Berlin Wall, the Holocaust Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate and more.
- Stop by the Community and Student Life Office to borrow recreational equipment, and get advice from CIEE staff and local student “Buddies” on local restaurants and stores, concerts, art exhibits, and more.

PROJECTS
- Collaborate on design projects in small groups with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Meet and learn from visiting faculty and professionals via lectures and critiques.
- Connect virtually with other CIEE students as they tackle the same design issues in other cities.
- Practice your language skills with weekly activities organized in the residence hall and around the neighborhood, including cooking events, film nights, board-game evenings, and other opportunities designed to help you perfect your German while hanging out with friends.
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Residence Hall Most students reside in the Global Institute in doubles, triples, or quads. Lounges and a cafe in the residence hall allow students to mix and mingle over meals, cultural activities, study groups, and special events.
Homestay A limited number of homestays may be available for students, with preference given to those whose universities require living with a local family; this must be indicated when applying.
Apartments Students may also be housed in shared apartments.
Final housing assignments are solely at the discretion of CIEE.
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MEALS
Residence Hall Meals are not included for students in the residence halls, but students can prepare their own meals in fully-equipped kitchens.
Homestay Students in homestays receive two meals per day with their program fee.
Apartments Meals are not included for students in shared apartments.
Berlin, Germany Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE GLOBAL INSTITUTE – BERLIN (G27)
The center is located in the heart of the Kreuzberg district and offers students easy access to a large public market hall, restaurants, cafés, and a variety of shops.
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B
Getting Around
Berlin has excellent public transportation, and our Global Institute is steps from a neighborhood subway station with easy access to the rest of the city.
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Program Details
Click to OpenWhat you need to know
The program detailsCIEE designed this program to help students develop a language of technological design that links individual responsibility and the global environmental crisis through study of places, cities, and cultures. The program includes the Future Cities Design Studio, a seminar, and science, engineering, and technology workshop. Students have full access to cutting-edge facilities at the CIEE Global Institute - Berlin.
Courses are taught in English by CIEE faculty members who also facilitate collaborative projects with local professionals and peers.
Academics
Click to OpenEligibility
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OVERALL GPA
Students need to have a GPA of at least 2.5.
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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Students must be either:
- Majors in architecture, environmental design, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, sustainability studies, or urban design.
- Minors in one of the areas listed above, with 2-3 semesters of design studio or project-based courses in their major.
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Course Information
Program Credit
Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- Design and Sustainability Seminar
- Science and Technology Workshop – Computational Design Theory and Application
- Electives
- CIEE language courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 60 contact hours
- CIEE Future Cities and Design Studio: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits; 90 contact hours
Language of Instruction
English and/or German
Requirements
- ARCH 3001 GGAD: Future Cities Design Studio
- ENVI 3102 BRGE: Design and Sustainability Seminar
- ARCH 3102 BRGE: Science and Technology Workshop – Computational Design Theory and Application
- 1-2 CIEE Electives
Technical Requirements for Required Courses
Hardware Requirements
- Windows laptop with 64-bit OS (preferred) OR MacBook partitioned with Boot Camp (please set up Boot Camp prior to arriving in Berlin, as your university IT department may be able to help you with this)
- Intel i5 or i7 processor or AMD equivalent
- Open GL 2 video card or equivalent
- 8 GB of RAM minimum
- 100 GB memory (internal and/or external)
- Multiple button mouse with scroll wheel
Software Requirements
- Rhino 6 or latest version (64-bit for Windows; for macOS, use the Windows version with Boot Camp and not the native Mac version)
- Grasshopper 3D, latest version with the following Add-ons:
- Mesh Tools
- MeshEdit
- Geco
Course Notes
- Future Cities Design Studio spans the full semester.
- Design and Sustainability Seminar, Science and Technology Workshop, and all CIEE elective courses* operate on a block schedule. Courses are condensed into three intensive six-week blocks in partnership with the Open Campus Block program.
- Students may not take more than one CIEE elective in a single block.
Language Courses
- During course selection, students interested in a German language course will be instructed to take an online German language assessment to determine their proficiency level. Enrollment will be finalized on site and is based on assessment outcomes.
- Students not enrolled in three-credit language classes may add the non-credit “Survival German” course to their course load during the on-site orientation.
*Not all courses listed below may be available to Global Architecture + Design students as some electives may conflict with the meeting times for the core curriculum. Additional courses may be made available upon arrival depending on the final schedule.
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
Courses
Click to OpenSpring 2020 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenAgriculture
Architecture
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Engineering and Engineering Technologies
Health Professions and Related Programs
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Mathematics and Statistics
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Psychology
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Fall 2020 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenAgriculture
Architecture
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Engineering and Engineering Technologies
Health Professions and Related Programs
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Mathematics and Statistics
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
YOUR FEE INCLUDES:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
- Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
- Orientation – an introduction to German culture, your academic program, and the city, plus practical information about living in your host city
- Full-time program leadership and support in your host city
- Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
- Excursions and/or Study Tours
- Insurance and other travel benefits, with CIEE iNext
- 24/7 emergency on-site support
No Hidden Fees
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
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Spring 2020 18 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jan 6, 2020 | May 9, 2020 |
$19,850
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,958 ** Housing = $4,425 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $19,850Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,800 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $100 Books & Supplies = $450 Visa Fees = $80 Personal expenses = $2,800 Total Estimated Costs = $7,480Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** Students in the homestay option have two meals per day provided as part of the program fee. No meals are included in the student apartment option. † for students in residence halls or shared apartments. Students in a homestay option have two meals per day as part of the program fee and should budget approximately $330 per block (or $1000 per semester) for additional meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
Fall 2020 18 weeks | May 1, 2020 | Aug 10, 2020* | Dec 12, 2020* |
$19,850
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,958 ** Housing = $4,425 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $19,850Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,800 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $100 Books & Supplies = $450 Visa Fees = $80 Personal expenses = $2,800 Total Estimated Costs = $7,480Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** Students in the homestay option have two meals per day provided as part of the program fee. No meals are included in the student apartment option. † for students in residence halls or shared apartments. Students in a homestay option have two meals per day as part of the program fee and should budget approximately $330 per block (or $1000 per semester) for additional meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
Spring 2021 18 weeks | Nov 1, 2020 | Jan 7, 2021* | May 11, 2021* |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.
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Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Lukas Kronawitter, M.Sc.
Global Programs Coordinator and Core Faculty
Lukas Kronawitter is an architect, planner, consultant, researcher and educator in multiple facets of sustainable urbanism.
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Michael LaFond, Ph.D.
Core Faculty
Michael is a professor of the International Urban Management Master’s Program at the Technical University Berlin and is the director of id22: Institute for Creative Sustainability in Berlin.
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Christian Tschersich, PhD
Core Faculty
Christian Tschersich trained as an architect at universities in Germany and the Netherlands. He graduated from KIT (Karslruhe Institute of...
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
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2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.