Master in Architecture - Regeneration of Built Environment at The University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”
Two-year English-taught LM-4 master's in architecture from Vanvitelli's Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, focused on regenerating existing buildings and urban fabric, with double degrees in Istanbul and Shanghai.
Master
2 years
Naples
English
The University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”
Architecture - Regeneration of Built Environment (ARBE) is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-4) taught in English by the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, training architects to regenerate existing buildings and cities. Entry is by a yearly call with an admission exam, and fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in architecture or an equivalent such as architectural engineering; an Italian L-17 degree gives direct admission.
- Graduates from other classes must first cover the 108 credits of training activities set for the Italian architecture bachelor.
- Certified English at B2 level of the Common European Framework.
- Italian at B2 level for foreign students; if yours is lower, a committee assesses it and you follow free Rosetta Stone courses with an exit test before graduating.
- Restricted access: you apply through the yearly call and sit the admission exam it sets.
About the programme
Architecture - Regeneration of Built Environment (ARBE) is a two-year laurea magistrale in class LM-4 (architecture and architectural engineering), worth 120 ECTS and entirely taught in English. It is run by the Department of Architecture and Industrial Design of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, has restricted access with an entrance exam, and requires attendance of at least 70% of lesson hours.
The course trains architects to answer climate change and the need to stop land consumption by redesigning, recovering and reusing what already exists, especially buildings and urban fabric from the second half of the twentieth century. It follows the European Directive 2013/55/EU on architecture training, so it aims to form a European practitioner.
What you will study
The plan integrates architectural and urban design, history, structures, energy and environmental design, urban planning and heritage restoration. Units in the current plan include:
- History of the City in the 20th Century
- Innovative Techniques for Surveying and Representation
- Structural Assessment of Existing Buildings
- Advanced Technologies for Built Environment
- Architectural Design for Building Recovery and Reuse, with a design workshop (12 ECTS)
- Energy and Environmental Design and Control of Built Environment
- Planning Strategies for Sustainable Urban Regeneration, and Urban Law and Regeneration Policies
- Economic Evaluation in Building and Urban Regeneration, and Architectural Design for Built Environment Regeneration (12 ECTS)
Second-year electives include multisensory design for well-being, environmental history of architecture and structural retrofitting, plus H-BIM and GIS computer skills.
How the programme is taught
Teaching mixes lectures with design workshops, and attendance is compulsory for at least 70% of hours. The second year closes with a 6 ECTS training course and an 8 ECTS final exam. The course also offers double degrees with Okan University in Istanbul and East China Normal University in Shanghai.
Career paths
The degree gives access to section A of the Italian register of architects after the professional state exam. Graduates can take on senior roles in public institutions, public and private authorities, and design studios working on construction, the recovery and transformation of existing buildings, and urban regeneration.
Fees and scholarships
Vanvitelli's yearly University Fees Manifesto sets tuition and contributions; the 2026/27 manifesto dates from 29 June 2026, and fees can be split into instalments. Your band decides the amount, so check the manifesto first. ADISURC manages regional scholarships and residences in Campania, and the course can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
ARBE has its own call for admission, published each year between June and July. For 2026/27 the call came out on 22 June 2026 with a deadline of 28 September 2026, followed by notices for the English and Italian language tests and a separate form for the East China Normal University double degree.
Non-EU applicants living abroad who need a visa also complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly, then apply for a type D study visa once the university approves it.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is the ARBE master taught in English?
Yes. The course is entirely taught in English and requires certified English at B2 level. Foreign students also need Italian at B2, or must follow free university Italian courses and pass an exit test.
Is there an admission exam?
Yes. Access is restricted: you apply through the yearly call and sit the admission exam it sets. For 2026/27 the call also scheduled English and Italian language tests.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
A bachelor's in architecture or an equivalent such as architectural engineering. Graduates from other classes must first cover the 108 credits of the Italian architecture bachelor's training activities.
When is the deadline?
The call is published each year between June and July. For 2026/27 it was published on 22 June 2026 with a deadline of 28 September 2026. Dates for 2027/28 are not published yet.
Is attendance compulsory?
Yes. You must attend at least 70% of the total lesson hours.
Can I earn a double degree?
Yes. The course offers double degrees with Okan University in Istanbul and East China Normal University in Shanghai.
Similar programmes
More programmes in this city
They began right where you are
