Dessau International Architecture Graduate School (DIA)

DIA – The International Graduate School of Architecture in Dessau – offers a Master’s course in architecture at the graduate level, which is taught in English. The programme started in 1999 with 10 students and has since developed into an internationally known programme with more than 100 students per year from more than 50 countries. DIA offers an academic education with a strong emphasis on architecture and urban design as integrated disciplines that address technical, economic, ecological, cultural and theoretical aspects of building and planning. DIA encourages students to develop sustainable projects on the architectural and urban scale, addressing current European and global challenges such as climate change, limited resources, decreasing biodiversity and societies in transformation processes using drawing and model-making skills as a means to communicate their concepts and ideas on a high level. The teaching staff consist of regulars from the Hochschule Anhalt in Dessau as well as changing international guest lecturers bringing constant new input to Dessau and strengthening the international network of DIA. DIA is embedded in an international network of architecture schools in Europe and abroad. It offers exchange possibilities for teachers and students as well as summer schools, excursions, competitions, and participation in ongoing research projects at Hochschule Anhalt and its partner institutions. In short, the teaching at DIA focuses on: developing sustainable approaches to the urban and architectural environment using tools of new media and technologies in architecture and urban design to represent clear concepts and ideas supporting an interdisciplinary approach to design and integrating theoretical approaches in the practice of design.