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English based Master program

The Department of Architecture at Waseda University aspires to provide world-class education and research opportunities for students to acquire cutting edge knowledge and to prepare long lasting career as architectural professionals. To achieve this goal, our graduate program offers the architectural art field, including architectural history, architectural planning, and urban planning, as well as the architectural engineering field, including environmental engineering and structural mechanics. From September 2018, The Department of Architecture has started English based Master program. The newest addition to our graduate program is built upon the rich history of Waseda Architecture established in 1909. The Department of Architecture opens the door widely to international students and expects to flourish and grow together in a globalized world.


This program is two years full time program. To receive a master’s degree, the student must be in the master’s program for two years or longer, earn 30 or more credits, receive required research guidance, and pass a master’s thesis or project defense.


Each student belongs to the supervisor’s laboratory. Students take a coursework and participate in projects in a real-world environment with other members of the laboratory. The Department of Architecture offers the internship program and also the exchange program with other universities.


In academic year 2000, a consistent six-year undergraduate and graduate program started to meet the international guideline of UNESCO/UIA, which requires architecture education of at least five years. Since 2007, our curriculum developed to fulfill JABEE requirements. In 2019 JABEE became a signatory member of Canberra Accord, an international accreditation/ validation of architectural education, which endorsed the substantial equivalency of our six-year program by international standards.


※ As a reference, the standard credit conversion ratio between the European university credit system(ECTS) and Waseda’s credit system is roughly 1 Waseda credit = 4 ECTS.
※ JABEE:Japan Accreditation Board for Engineering Education https://jabee.org/en/



Supervisors of the program

Professor ARIGA, Takashi Urban and Environmental Design /City and Regional Planning /Visual Simulation /Collaborative Design /Community Revitalization
Professor TANABE, Shin-ichi Indoor climate / Indoor air quality / Thermal comfort / Green Building / Energy
Professor NAKATANI, Norihito Temporal Science for Architectural Expression / History of Architecture
Professor HASEMI, Yuji Fire safety / Regional disaster prevention / Disaster prevention barrier free / Utilization and preservation historical buildings
Professor HAYABE, Yasuhiro Structural Design / Response Control System / Wind Engineering
Professor FURUYA, Nobuaki Architectural design / Architectural space / Life in high density cities Conservation and restoration of architecture 
Professor MAEDA, Toshiro Earthquake engineering / Soil-structure interaction / Ground motion simulation 
Professor YAGUCHI, Tetsuya Regenerative Design of the Built Enbironment / Urban Design
Associate Professor KOIWA, Masaki History of Architecture / Cultural Heritage
Associate Professor KOBAYASHI, Keigo Architectural design
Associate Professor FUJII, Yuri Architectural design and Theory / Architectural Space
Professor TAKAGUCHI, Hiroto Environment media / Energy systems / Sustainable design
Associate Professor WATANABE, Taishi Architectural design / Urban history
Professor(Concurrent Faculty) YOSHIMURA, Yasutaka Architectural Design / Urban Design / Communication Design



Website of Admission





Diploma Policy

Graduate School of Department of Architecture, Architectural Design Area
I.

Immerse in the “Waseda Architecture” tradition, and develop the ability to fulfill what modern society expects of architecture and the built environment.

J.

Have both a global perspective and an appreciation for region-specific history and culture, and develop the ability to contribute internationally.

K.

Have the opportunity be involved in the practice of architecture and urban design, and understand the professional skills of architects and their mission in society.

L.

Obtain the ability to make creative proposals based on a deep knowledge of design and aesthetics of architecture.

M.

Develop the ability to absorb proactively advanced knowledge in architecture, urban design, and related fields-of-study.

N.

Develop the ability to identify, investigate, and analyze broad-ranged issues enrooted in human activity and the region, based on existing base of knowledge in architecture, urban design, and related fields-of-study.

O.

Develop the ability to solve problems of architectural design and planning pragmatically through collaborative work with faculty and other students.

P.

Develop the ability to exert leadership in collaboration with experts of different fields-of-study and the general public to propagate one’s idea broadly to society.

Graduate School of Department of Architecture, Architectural Engineering Area
Q.

Immerse in the “Waseda Architecture” tradition, and develop the ability to fulfill what modern society expects of architecture and the built environment.

R.

Have both a global perspective and an appreciation for region-specific history and culture, and develop the ability to contribute internationally.

S.

Involve in the practice of architecture, urban design, and engineering, to understand the professional skills of architects/engineers and their mission in society.

T.

Obtain the ability to make creative proposals based on an in-depth knowledge of design, aesthetics, and engineering in the architectural field.

U.

Develop the ability to absorb proactively advanced knowledge in architecture, urban design, structural mechanics, architectural environment, building engineering, and related fields-of-study.

V.

Develop the ability to identify, investigate, and analyze broad-ranged issues enrooted in human activity and the region, based on existing base of knowledge in architecture, urban design, structural mechanics, architectural environment, building engineering, and related fields-of-study.

W.

Develop the ability to solve various architectural engineering problems pragmatically through collaborative work with faculty and other students.

X.

Develop the ability to exert leadership in collaboration with experts of different fields-of-study and the general public to propagate one’s idea broadly to society.






Admission Policy

We offer AO admissions in the hope of enrolling a diverse range of people. Candidates can choose to enter in April or September. You do not necessarily have to graduate from an architectural undergraduate university. If you do not finish an architectural undergraduate university, you will not be eligible to take the architect exam even if you complete the master’s program at our university. The university is a member of the Canberra Accord through JABEE accreditation. If you have graduated from an architectural undergraduate university in 4 years or more, you can determine whether JABEE certification will be given at the end of the master’s degree by submitting the curriculum and syllabus of the graduated university to your academic advisor who wishes I will. Classes are conducted in English, and if necessary, in both English and Japanese. There are many scenes where Japanese proficiency is required to understand Japanese architectural culture and technology, so we demand a strongly to learn Japanese. If you would like to join our university, please check the schedule on the admission website first. Decide on your desired academic advisor, contact with advisor by e-mail, and let him/her know that you would like to join. The advisor will exchange information by e-mail, ZOOM, or telephone in advance, and then carefully read the application documents to determine whether or not to accept. Finally, the faculty meeting will make a pass / fail decision.