¿Qué se necesita para estudiar Arquitectura?

Being an architect means having a highly qualified profile, both technically and artistically. Architecture is a fascinating and complex discipline, as to understand it fully, one must possess a ‘magical gift’ that we might call ‘spatial vision’. It would be very difficult to pass a degree in Architecture without mastering technical drawing and without being able to visualise how what we imagine in our minds would look in reality.

What academic requirements do you need to study Architecture?

There are several routes to gaining entry to a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Foundations in Spain, although the most common is via the Bachillerato and the Selectividad:

• Bachillerato + PAU (Selectividad). This is the route taken by the vast majority of students. It is recommended that you take the Science and Technology stream of the Bachillerato, as subjects such as Technical Drawing II, Physics and Mathematics II carry the greatest weighting in the specific phase of the EBAU for Architecture.

Your admission mark is calculated out of a maximum of 14 points:

• 60 per cent of your average Sixth Form mark
• 40 per cent from the general phase of the PAU
• Up to 4 extra points from the specific phase. The specific phase carries enormous weight. Many students with a modest Baccalaureate mark manage to gain entry to their chosen university thanks to thorough preparation for the Selectividad. Don’t underestimate it.
• Higher-Level Vocational Training (CFGS). If you hold a Higher-Level Vocational Qualification in a related field (Building Projects and Works, Interior Design), you can gain direct entry. If the cut-off mark is high, you can also sit the specific phase of the EBAU to improve your score.
• Other entry routes. Entrance exams for those aged 25, 40 and 45 and over. International students: entry via the UNEDasiss PCE exams.
• Private universities. The statutory minimum mark is 5.000, but most have their own admission processes involving interviews, spatial aptitude tests or assessment of academic records. The candidate’s profile matters just as much as their mark.

Which Selectividad subjects carry the most weight for Architecture?

The most recommended combination is to sit Technical Drawing II, Mathematics II and Physics: you can add up to 4 extra points to your base mark. A practical tip: Technical Drawing is the subject that most candidates neglect when preparing. Mastering it gives you a real competitive edge.

What entry mark is required to study Architecture?

There is a very wide variation between universities. Whilst the Polytechnic University of Madrid requires a very high mark, there are public universities in other provinces where the entry mark is 5.0. The choice of university is a key factor if your mark isn’t as high as you’d like.

At private universities, the minimum mark is 5.000, but what they really assess is the candidate’s overall profile.

What is the most difficult aspect of studying Architecture?

Architecture is one of the most demanding degree courses in Spain. These are the aspects that prove most challenging:

• The workload outside the classroom. Projects require iterations, revisions, models and presentations, which take up many hours. It is a degree programme that demands constant commitment throughout the academic year, not just during assignment deadlines.
• The tension between the technical and the creative. In the first few years, students must simultaneously study highly technical subjects (mathematics, physics, geometry) and those involving creative expression (projects, representation, drawing). Integrating both aspects takes time.
• Public defence of your work. Project assessments are conducted in front of the teaching staff. Learning to accept criticism and defend design decisions is a skill that develops over time.
• The overall duration. To practise as a fully qualified professional, you need to complete a Bachelor’s degree and a qualifying Master’s degree. This is a commitment that must be clearly understood from the outset.

That said, if you enjoy creating and solving complex problems, the demands become a source of motivation.

Does architecture require a lot of maths?

The honest answer is: yes, but not in the way you might fear.

Architecture does not deal with abstract mathematics. Day-to-day work on the degree programme mainly uses descriptive geometry, applied calculus, trigonometry and basic algebra to solve structural, proportional and construction problems. What matters is developing sound logical and spatial thinking, rather than memorising complex formulae.

If you’re really struggling with maths at A-level, it’s a good idea to brush up on it before you start. Not to become a mathematician, but to avoid getting stuck in the first few years, which are the most technically demanding.

How long does an architecture degree take? Does it take seven years?

The confusion stems from the study programmes that predate the Bologna Process. Today, the pathway is as follows:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fundamentals of Architecture: 4 years (240 ECTS).
• Master’s Degree leading to professional qualification: 1.5 years (90 ECTS).
• In total: between 5 and 6 years. Not 7.

What can you do with just the Bachelor’s degree? You can work in architectural practices in technical support, consultancy or teaching roles. However, you cannot sign off on projects or supervise building works. To practise fully, the Master’s degree is a legal requirement (European Directive 2005/36/EC).

UAX offers an integrated 5.5-year programme (360 ECTS) with guaranteed access to the Master’s from day one, eliminating the uncertainty found at other institutions.

What qualities do you need to be an architect? 

• Manual dexterity.
• A knack for freehand drawing.
• Basic knowledge of physics and mathematics.
• Analytical, synthesis and observational skills.
• An interest in the humanities (art, culture or sociology).
• Ability to construct three-dimensional objects using various materials such as cardboard or paper.
• A knack for organisation and order.

If you possess the qualities and skills listed above, it’s clear that you were born to be an architect. If you choose to study this degree, you’ll have the opportunity to learn everything from the creation of new urban spaces and spatial planning to the development of architectural projects. 

Is it worth studying architecture? Is it a profitable career?

The figures suggest so.

According to the Construction Labour Foundation (2026), the sector reached 1,530,002 people in employment, with growth of +4.5 per cent, making it one of the sectors that generated the most jobs in the Spanish economy. The demand for qualified architects continues to grow, driven by energy-efficient refurbishment, public works and urban development.

Real salary progression:

• Junior (0–3 years’ experience): ~€30,000 gross per year
• Mid-level (4–9 years’ experience): ~€37,000–40,000 gross per year
• Senior or specialist: €45,000 – €50,000+ gross per year

The highest-paid roles are those specialising in BIM , energy efficiency (LEED/BREEAM) and site management.

An important point to note: the early years can be more financially challenging than in other technical professions. Architecture rewards specialisation and career progression in the medium term. From that perspective, the financial returns are solid.

What are the branches and specialisations within architecture?

Once you have qualified, you can steer your career towards a wide range of career paths :

• BIM Manager / BIM Coordinator: the most in-demand and best-paid role. The BIM is the industry standard.
• Sustainable architecture: LEED and BREEAM certifications, one of the fastest-growing fields.
• Urban Planning and Smart Cities: urban planning and smart cities.
• Heritage renovation and restoration: high demand in cities with a rich heritage.
• Interior design: one of the most dynamic sectors in recent years.
• Project management and administration: in high demand at property developers and consultancy firms.

Why study Architecture at UAX?

• Integrated Bachelor’s + Master’s degree: 5.5 years, with no uncertainty
• 360 ECTS, guaranteed entry to the Master’s from day one, on-campus teaching in Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid).
• With UAX MAKERS, you’ll work on real-world projects with SACYR, Grupo San José, Luis Vidal + Architects and the COAM right from the first years of your course.
• Exclusive certifications
• Autodesk BIM (Revit I, Revit II and BIM Management)
• Certified Interior Design course
• FabLab
• 3D printing, laser cutting, robotic arms and virtual reality.
• 90 per cent of the teaching staff: practising professionals
• 99% employability within the first year (No. 1 in Spain, BBVA–IVIE ranking)

Summary

To study Architecture, you need the Science and Technology A-levels and must pass the PAU and take Technical Drawing II, Mathematics II and Physics. Entry requirements for state universities range from 5.0 to 11.0. The degree programme lasts between 5 and 6 years (Bachelor’s + Master’s). Mathematics is required but is applied in a practical context. The return on investment is solid in the medium term: a growing sector, an average salary of ~€37,000 and high demand for specialists in BIM and sustainability.

Sources:

• Ministry of Universities (universidades.gob.es)
• Higher Council of Architects’ Associations of Spain (cscae.com)
• Construction Labour Foundation – 2026 Sector Report
• UNEDasiss (uned.es)
• Royal Decree 1393/2007 (BOE)
• European Directive 2005/36/EC