Is European Architecture School valuable on an international level?

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>I'm finishing up my bachelor in a natural science, and have realized over the years that I really want to be an architect. I'm an American student.</p>

<p>I also have my sights on working both in the US and in Europe. </p>

<p>I was offered admission to the Polythecnic University of Valencia School of Architecture (Calatrava went there) for their Architecture masters program, a 2 year program, provided that I complete a Masters in Engineering first, as the program requires either students with bachelor degrees in architecture or a related engineering degree. </p>

<p>My questions are: with these two masters degrees (the engineering one in the US, the architecture one in Spain), will I be able to legally practice as an architect in Europe? The US? Is it worth it, in comparison to burning a hole in my pocket at a top American arch grad school, like Harvard or Columbia? </p>

<p>Do top American grad schools in architecture offer scholarships/grants/fellowhips? </p>

<p>In the end, I want to own my own architecture firm, which is strong on the engineering, technical side of things, and operate in both the US and Europe, though not necessarily Spain. Maybe the money saved from a top school is better spent investing in my firm? Or is it the other way around?</p>

<p>Maybe then doing an M.Arch II somewhere like the GSD is good down the line?
Or doing a PhD in Architecture or Architectural Engineering somewhere "reputable?" </p>

<p>I'm just wondering which of these choices will probably be better for me, and what counts in the end. I'm very determined and will make the most out of any situation. </p>

<p>Greetings,
~fangulina</p>

<p>Check the admission requirements and numbers for Europe versus here. Some schools there are fairly inexpensive by our standards, but getting in may be easier for EU citizens than for outsiders in some cases. </p>

<p>There are about a dozen architectural schools that teach in English - I do not know if you speak a second language so that opens more options. Back in my days a US architecture degree could be recognized abroad after the usual lengthy paperwork depending on where you plan to practice of course. If money is not a big issue one MArch each in US and Europe would be an interesting option.</p>