What are the best architecture courses online?

Browse the architecture courses below—popular starting points on Coursera. Making Architecture:IE Business School Roman Architecture:Yale University MAYA Architecture - Setting Up Interior Floor Map:EDUCBA Transportation, Sustainable Buildings, Green Construction:Johns Hopkins University Sustainable Design Practices in Building Design: L&T EduTech Comfort in Buildings: L&T EduTech

Can I take free architecture courses on Coursera?

Yes. You can start learning architecture on Coursera for free in two ways: Preview the first module of many architecture courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available). Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial. If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in architecture, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in an architecture course?

You’ll explore the fundamentals of design, spatial composition, and building systems. Some courses focus on architectural history, while others cover contemporary design practices, sustainability , and how technology is shaping the future of architecture.

Do I need a design background to start learning architecture?

Not necessarily. Many courses are designed for general learners and enthusiasts, with no previous experience required. If you’re preparing for architectural school or working in design, you’ll find more advanced courses that build on these foundational concepts.

Top Architecture Courses - Learn Architecture Online

Find the Best Architecture Course for Your Goals

Status: Preview
IE Business School
Making Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Architectural Design, Storytelling, Creativity, Architectural Drawing, Design Elements And Principles, Photography, Sustainable Architecture, Design, Environment
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Yale University
Roman Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Ancient History, Art History, Architectural Design, Architecture and Construction, Construction, Civil Engineering, European History, World History, Research and Design, Design Elements And Principles
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
698 reviews
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Alberta
Software Design and Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Software Architecture, Model View Controller, Unified Modeling Language, Object Oriented Design, Service Oriented Architecture, API Design, Systems Architecture, Web Services, Software Design Patterns, Software Design, Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Microservices, Restful API, Software Visualization, Code Review, Software Systems, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Development, Java, Software Documentation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
EDUCBA
MAYA Architecture - Setting Up Interior Floor Map
Skills you'll gain: 3D Assets, Computer Graphics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Princeton University
Computer Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Microarchitecture, Computer Architecture, Hardware Architecture, Computer Systems, Computer Engineering, Systems Architecture, Operating Systems, Performance Tuning, Scalability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.7K reviews
Advanced · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
Fractal Analytics
Behavior Architecture - Understanding Human Behavior
Skills you'll gain: Case Studies, Decision Making, Human Learning, Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Management, Behavioral Economics, Human Development, Psychology, Critical Thinking, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Communication
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
51 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Data Architecture
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Data Warehousing, SQL, Apache Hadoop, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Data Security, Linux Commands, Data Migration, Database Design, Data Governance, MySQL, Database Administration, Apache Spark, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Data Store, Data Architecture
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI and LLMs: Architecture and Data Preparation
Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, Generative AI, Data Pipelines, PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Natural Language Processing, Text Mining, Prompt Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Data Processing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
302 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Cloud Architecture Design Patterns
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Scalability, Cloud Computing, Cloud Platforms, Software Architecture, Cloud Services, Cloud Applications, Cloud Security, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Load Balancing, Serverless Computing, Software Design Patterns, Microservices, Event-Driven Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
29 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Data Modeling and Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Ethics, Data Modeling, Data Governance, Data Architecture, Database Design, Power BI, Star Schema, Information Privacy, Data Security, Data Integrity, Snowflake Schema, Relational Databases, Data Quality, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Cleansing
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Coursera Instructor Network
Blueprint to Brilliance Through Interior Design
Skills you'll gain: Architectural Design, Design, Design Strategies, Research and Design, Design Elements And Principles, Innovation, Creativity, Systems Of Measurement, Aesthetics, Spatial Analysis, Project Management
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
145 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
L&T EduTech
Comfort in Buildings
Skills you'll gain: Construction, Sustainable Architecture, Sustainable Design, Building Design, HVAC, Environmental Engineering, Building Codes, Thermal Management, Architectural Design, Sustainable Development, Physics
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks