The Master of Architecture (Design) [MArch (Design)] is a three-year full-time self-financed programme* offered by the Department of Architecture. Built on the existing 2-year MArch, the 3-year MArch (Design) offers a path for qualified students from undergraduate programmes outside of architecture to pursue an architectural education.

To be eligible for admission to the degree of MArch (Design), a candidate shall:

shall comply with the General Regulations and the Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Curricula;
shall possess a bachelor’s degree with honours of this University; or another equivalent qualification from another university or comparable institution accepted for this purpose* ;
shall possess a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, or Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent;
for a candidate who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English, shall satisfy the University English language requirement applicable to high degrees as prescribed under General Regulation G2(b);
shall satisfy the examiners in qualifying examination if required.

Preference will be given to applicants with professional experience that has shaped their practical and intellectual capacity in a positive manner.

*The MArch (Design) programme is not accredited by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB). In accordance with the accreditation procedures, HKIA and ARB will consider the University’s application for accreditation of the degree upon completion of studies of the first graduating class.

Application Submission Requirements

After submitting the online application via the University’s online application system ( https://aal.hku.hk/tpg/programme-list-2223 ), within one day, applicants will receive an email from the Faculty with login ID and password to access the Faculty’s MArch(Design) Application Documents Submission System (https://extranet.ad.arch.hku.hk/Admission/mdesign). Please upload the below list of supporting documents to the MArch(Design) Application Documents Submission System. Please do not encrypt the supporting documents.

1. Curriculum vitae (inclusive of publications and academic awards, if any)
2. Official transcripts
3. Graduation certificate (if any)
4. Test Report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (non-home edition), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (if you have not been studying in the university in which the courses are taught in English).
5. A portfolio with no more than 20 pages of creative work related to landscape orientation in PDF format. Proper credit and context must be given for all work related to author, collaborators, and professional office in which the work was completed or academic course and instructor for which the work was completed, where appropriate. The maximum file size is 30MB.
6. A written statement of interest (500 words maximum). you should
  1. describe why you want to attend the Master of Architecture (Design) Programme at HKU and identify specific aspects of the programme or the context of Hong Kong that have influenced your decision to apply;
  2. describe an academic project or professional experience that has shaped the way you approach architecture or urbanism; and
  3. identify a topic or architecture or urbanism that you would like to explore in greater depth in your graduate studies at HKU.

Applicants will only be requested to submit hard copies of supporting documents when they receive an admission offer. Therefore, please do not submit hard copies to the Faculty Office before you receive the offer.

Applicants have to appoint 2 referees, preferably one previous teacher and one professional employer, via the University’s online application system ( https://aal.hku.hk/tpg/programme-list-2223 ). At least one academic reference is required. Both of the referees will be requested to complete an online referee report and upload a reference letter via a separate email sent by the Faculty.

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