Study Program

The Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) in “Environmental Architectural and Urban Design” is aligned with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). In particular, a full academic year of studies corresponds to 60 ECTS, and a full semester corresponds to 30 ECTS. One ECTS unit corresponds to 30 hours of workload.

In the first semester, postgraduate students attend two (2) compulsory theoretical courses and two (2) compulsory design studios (30 ECTS).

In the second semester, postgraduate students attend two (2) compulsory theoretical courses and two (2) compulsory design studios (30 ECTS).

In the third semester, postgraduate students either attend one (1) compulsory supportive course on research methods and scientific essays writing, or participate in one (1) compulsory intensive workshop/seminar on environmental design, or engage in one (1) compulsory educational trip domestically or internationally with a report submission (5 ECTS), and they undertake a mandatory postgraduate design thesis, which includes a theoretical-research part and a design-synthetic part (25 ECTS).

The four (4) theoretical courses are organized into two (2) axes-thematic areas:

• General concepts related to the environment. Diagnosis of the environmental dimension at all scales of architecture and its integration into design.
• Technology of environmental design.

The four (4) design studios cover both scales of design:

• Architectural-building scale.
• Urban design-urban planning scale.

The postgraduate design thesis includes:

• Theoretical-research part with scientific comprehension and research.
• Design diploma thesis.

The detailed study program of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) is as follows:

First Semester (30 ECTS)

• Environmental Design I (4 ECTS)
• Environmental Technology I (6 ECTS)
• Architectural Design Studio I (10 ECTS)
• Urban Design Studio I (10 ECTS)

Second Semester (30 ECTS)

• Environmental Design II (4 ECTS)
• Environmental Technology II (6 ECTS)
• Architectural Design Studio II (10 ECTS)
• Urban Design Studio II (10 ECTS)

Third Semester (30 ECTS)

• Research Methods and Scientific Essays Writing OR Intensive Workshop/Seminar on Environmental Design OR Educational Trip with Report Writing (5 ECTS)
• Postgraduate Design Thesis (25 ECTS)

The official language of instruction of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) is Greek. The language for writing the Postgraduate Design Thesis is also Greek. However, by a decision of the Assembly of the School of Architecture of the Faculty of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, upon recommendation from the Steering Committee (SC) of the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP), it is possible to write the Postgraduate Design Thesis in another language.

Exceptions may occur for specific instances such as invited speakers’ origin, certain courses, intensive workshops/seminars, etc., which could be conducted in English.

All courses within the study program are conducted in person. However, in certain circumstances (inability of invited speakers to travel from another city, illness, etc.), courses, intensive workshops/seminars, etc., may be conducted remotely, following the recommendation of the course instructor.