Studying architecture and urban planning in Sweden. Marcin Zebrowski's experience

Ola Skorupa

08 of January '26

Podcast Foundations #35

Marcin Zebrowski -
podcast #35 of the "Foundations" series

In the latest episode of the "Foundations" podcast, Marcin Zebrowski takes us to Sweden and talks about his experience studying Sustainable Urban Design at the Faculty of Architecture at Lund University. It's a frank and very specific conversation about what it's like to study architecture and urban design at one of the best academic centers in Scandinavia. Marcin explains what urban design actually is, why it is architecture on a macro scale, and what it looks like to design cities with sustainability, public spaces and long-term urban strategies in mind.

The episode and the entire series are also available on Soundcloud and Spotify:

From Erasmus to graduate studies in Sweden

The decision to go to Sweden was no accident. It all started while he was still an undergraduate at the University of Warsaw, when Marcin went on a year-long Erasmus+ exchange to Karlskrona. It was there that he first encountered the Swedish approach to urban planning and teaching system, which quickly won him over.

After returning to Poland, he already knew that he wanted to continue his master's studies in Sweden. The choice fell on Lund University - a university with more than 350 years of history, considered one of the best in the country and regularly ranked high in international rankings.

What is it like to study architecture in Sweden?

In the interview, Marcin repeatedly stresses that the Swedish teaching system is significantly different from the one he knew in Poland. Above all, the emphasis here is on practice, dialogue and teamwork, rather than competition or grading in the traditional sense.

Much of the coursework is based on group work, collaborative research and individual projects, which are then presented and discussed throughout the year. Interestingly, students do not receive classical grades - the jury focuses on the quality of the design process, consistency of concept and analytical skills.

Relations at the university are very much a partnership. Lecturers and professors are called by their first names, and conversations take the form of open discussion rather than one-sided criticism. All this makes students feel freer to focus on design itself.

Contact with practice and international experience

A huge advantage of studying at Lund is the constant contact with the market. Classes and design juries are regularly attended by architects and urban planners from renowned offices such as Snøhetta, Gehl, Adept and Mandaworks. As a result, students receive real feedback from those actively working in the industry.

Study trips - field trips to other countries - are also an integral part of the program. Marcin recalls, among others, trips to Amsterdam, Switzerland and a two-week stay in China, where students worked on an urban planning project in cooperation with local universities. Such experiences allow you to look at city planning from a completely different cultural perspective.

space, atmosphere and student life

Lund University offers students a unique working environment. The architecture department building is accessible 24/7, each student has his or her own desk and workspace, and the entire studio functions like a professional design office.

The atmosphere is conducive to integration - the lack of rivalry, working together and helping each other make relations between students very close. Added to this is the fika, or coffee and conversation break, characteristic of Sweden, which accompanies even official lectures.

post-graduation outlook

In the podcast, Marcin also talks about career opportunities after graduation. Sustainable Urban Design graduates work in architectural offices, city planning departments, consulting firms or universities. The proximity to markets such as Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm and Copenhagen makes it significantly easier to find a job or internship.