This programme produces professional figures with specific competences in architectural design, urban and landscape planning, structural, technological and environmental design, architectural restoration, conservation and promotion of architectural assets and interior design.

The degree programme is divided equally between theoretical and practical course units.
At the end of the first cycle (years 1 and 2), students shall be assessed on their command of the following fundamental elements:
Architectural logic;
Construction;
History of essential components of architecture;
Basic (conventional and computer) techniques for architectural representation;
Preparatory subjects for technical project management.
The second cycle (years 3 and 4) provides scientific, technical and professional training in architectural design and urban planning, architectural construction and restoration.
The third cycle (year 5) covers the study of specific topics and subject areas in workshops and the production of the final examination.
The single cycle degree programme in Architecture starts with the acquisition of solid grounding in mathematics, physics, technical and historical subjects and architectural representation, as well as basic training in architectural design.
In particular, the course units in mathematics, physics and technical subjects aim to develop the methodological knowledge and experimental skills required to understand the technical issues related to architectural design; Course units in the history of architecture provide the knowledge required for the recognition and critical assessment of works, related to their form, context and the materials and techniques used. Those in the representation of architecture and living spaces provide the tools for understanding architecture and developing and communicating design ideas.
The programme includes single-subject course units and workshops to develop design skills in the different areas of architectural and urban design, restoration, structural design, as well as knowledge of the economic and legislative issues connected to all fields of architectural design.
The design workshops held throughout the programme aim to assess the acquired knowledge, but also offer the perfect educational opportunity for developing design skills integrating the different competences and are open to the contribution of specialist knowledge involved in contemporary design processes, in line with the teaching structure used in the majority of European countries. The ultimate objective is to produce designers able to oversee the formal, constructive, productive and regulatory aspects involved in the transformation of the built environment, on different scales and in different contexts.
Some modifications have been introduced compared to the previous degree system, concerning the study of the English language; Architecture graduates will also have a command of English to level B2; study may include both the acquisition of the four linguistic skills (reading, writing, listening and dialogue) and compulsory attendance of lessons, in line with the criteria specified by the study programme coherently with the instructions of the Academic Bodies.

Admission requirements for the degree programme
In addition to the possession of a secondary school diploma or suitable equivalent qualification obtained abroad, students must have logical skills, general knowledge and knowledge of history, drawing and representation, mathematics and physics.
This degree programme has restricted access set at national level (art. 1 of Italian Law no. 264/99), and an entrance exam is set annually. The number of places and selection methods are published annually in the relative call for applications. Since AY 2009/10 the entrance exam is mandatory even if there are fewer applicants than the number of places, in order to check the admission requirements.
The admission requirements and entrance exams are set nationally, and are made available to potential candidates on the web; each year the student association runs preparatory courses for students having to sit the entrance exam; further preparatory activities are not deemed necessary.
Candidates who do not achieve the minimum score laid down annually for the entrance exam are assigned additional learning requirements. These must be completed in the first year, by the date set by the Academic Bodies.
Students not completing the requirements by the date set by the Academic Bodies and published on the University portal will be required to re-enrol to the first year of the programme as repeating students.
Students registering following withdrawal, loss of student status, having submitted a request to opt from a previous degree system or with a degree or certified learning activities from foreign universities, or transferring from another degree programme at the University of Bologna or from another university are exempted from sitting the entrance exam if they have already obtained the number of credits set by the Degree Programme Board.
If more candidates than the number of available places register for the exam, candidates wishing to transfer to the single cycle degree programme in Architecture must in any case sit the entrance exam and will obtain a place according to their position in the ranking list.
Additional learning requirements are deemed to be completed by students passing one of the following exams by the date set annually by the Academic Bodies: History of Architecture 1, Architectural Drawing I (integrated course), Environmental Technical Physics I and Mathematics. Tutoring is available for students assigned additional learning requirements in core subjects.
Tutoring is available for students assigned additional learning requirements in core subjects.
Candidate must also be proficient in the English language to level B1, assessed by the University Linguistic Centre. Students failing the foreign language test will be assigned additional learning requirements, which will be deemed to be completed by passing the English language exam to level B1 or equal or higher than B2, when completed by the date set annually by the University Bodies for the completion of additional learning requirements.
Students holding a corresponding language certification may be exempted from sitting this exam.
Students not completing the requirements by the date set by the Academic Bodies and published on the University portal will be required to re-enrol to the first year of the programme as repeating students.