6 Reasons to Join KhSA

ARCHITECTURE AND NOTHING MORE

By combining practice with theory, the Bachelor’s programme offers the best global experiences and approaches in architectural education. This enables students to receive a high-quality European education adapted to the Ukrainian context. The programme’s structure is designed around the interconnections between technical and humanities knowledge.

There are no standalone courses in Ukrainian history, philosophy, or culture. Instead, topics from the history and theory of architecture, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy are always integrated into the themes of the semester architectural projects, enhancing and contextualizing them.

This approach makes learning engaging and immersive, giving students a clear understanding of the importance of social contexts and the direct relationship between architecture and the development of society, culture, and human life.

KHSA — CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES AND TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

KhSA is the first and only architectural school in Ukraine to introduce a studio-based learning format for architectural design. The studio format is closely aligned with the workflow of an architectural office, providing students with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the profession and prepare for real-world practice.

During the studio day, students work alongside instructors on the stages of architectural projects, receive consultations, and present their progress. Studio instructors are practicing architects with experience both in Ukraine and abroad. They share current knowledge and professional expertise, helping students develop architectural thinking, analytical skills, and contextual interpretation.

Throughout the programme, the scale of the projects students work on increases, allowing future architects to gain experience in designing architectural objects of various functions and complexities.

More about the studio system can be found in our article “What You Need to Know About Architectural Education to Become a Good Architect,” available via the link.

KHSA — MODERN TECHNOLOGIES AND A SPACE FOR EXPERIMENTATION

We provide all the conditions necessary for effective learning and are the only architectural higher education institution in Ukraine offering a full four-year on-campus Bachelor’s programme in architecture. Our facilities include:

• Professionally equipped model-making and carpentry workshops, where students can use CNC machines, laser cutters, 3D printers, foam cutters, jigsaws, milling and sanding machines, as well as a kiln for working with ceramics.
• Studio spaces for each year of study, where every student has their own dedicated workspace throughout the programme.
• KhSA Library, which houses over 1,300 of the most up-to-date publications on architecture, planning, and urbanism, making it the best architectural library in Ukraine. The collection is continuously expanded through collaborations with international and Ukrainian publishers, including DOM Publishers, MIT Press, Idea Books, Ist Publishing, and CANactions.

KHSA — PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE

The School’s educational programme is practice-oriented. Studio projects are closely connected to real-world contexts, linked to specific locations and clients. This allows students to fully immerse themselves in the professional environment and experience all stages of the design process, from individual work to collaborative teamwork, while developing communication skills and client interaction.

From the very first year, students engage with their first client, and over the course of their studies, they gain experience working with approximately seven real clients. Students also collaborate with various city stakeholders who shape local policies and the urban landscape. Clients include municipalities, public organizations, state institutions, and businesses.

This approach provides significant advantages to the School’s graduates, preparing them to meet the modern challenges of the architectural profession.

KHSA — A PROFESSIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL ENVIRONMENT

The School is part of the international architectural community. Our instructors are practicing architects from various offices in Ukraine, as well as from partner architectural firms, including Centrala (Poland), Outpost (USA), 12N Urban Matters (Netherlands), Orange Architects (Netherlands), Building Design Partnership (UK), Burø (Kyiv, Ukraine), Drozdov & Partners (Kharkiv, Ukraine), AVR (Lviv, Ukraine), Maria Tselik Design (Kharkiv, Ukraine), and URBANIDEAS (Lviv, Ukraine).

In addition, we invite guest lecturers from leading architectural schools, organize joint workshops and studio projects. Among our partners are schools that rank among the top architectural education institutions in Europe: the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), the Limerick School of Architecture (Ireland), the Faculty of Architecture at KU Leuven (Belgium), the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO), and the Faculty of Architecture at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) (Sweden).

Students have the opportunity not only to gain knowledge from practitioners but also to establish their first professional contacts, which help them enter the professional world after graduation.

The School’s extensive network of contacts provides an important starting point for our graduates. Our students become part of the international architectural community already during their studies.

KHSA — INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The School’s curriculum is designed so that students have the opportunity to complete a three-month internship at an architectural office during their fourth year. The KhSA Bachelor’s programme is aligned with contemporary international standards, making our students competitive when applying for internships in foreign offices.

The School has an extensive network of contacts with architectural offices worldwide, which actively consider applications from our students. Our partners include firms from Ukraine, Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Sweden.

Internships at leading architectural offices in Ukraine and abroad deepen students’ practical knowledge and skills, expand their professional network, and provide the opportunity to experience teamwork within different architectural cultures.

• If you have questions about our educational programmes, the Director of the Bachelor’s Programme, Daria Ozhyhanova, will be happy to answer inquiries regarding the Bachelor’s degree: [email protected], and the Director of the Master’s Programme, Ryan Locke, can answer questions regarding the Master’s degree: [email protected]
• For information about the School and its development, please contact Rector Iryna Matsevko: [email protected]
• For admission inquiries, please contact: [email protected]