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Programme Highlights:
Expected Duration
1 year
Fees
Self-funded:
HK$262,500
HK$262,500
Expected Programme Start Date
September 2025
Application Deadline
Main Round:
12:00 noon (GMT +8), April 28, 2025
12:00 noon (GMT +8), April 28, 2025
Description
Full Time (one year)
Expected Duration
Fees
To be updated
Expected Programme Start Date
To be updated
Application Deadline
Description
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Overview
The Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design (MSc(AAD)) is a design-focused post-professional, specialist taught postgraduate that creates a unique platform for students, practicing architects and urban researchers to contribute to emergent, cutting-edge research-based design agendas that result in real-life propositions.
MSc(AAD) is envisioned as THE BUILDING SOCIETY, http://www.thebuildingsociety.arch.hku.hk, a collaborative practice-research design studio formed by the students, teachers and collaborators.
The MSc(AAD) curriculum comprises 3 research-based design studio courses (36 credits, including a capstone studio), 3 core courses (18 credits), and 3 elective courses (18 credits), leading to a 1-year full- time study (totalling 72 credits). It provides opportunities for students from different backgrounds:
‧ For students who have studied architecture and developed an interest in new technologies, environmental design, and construction prototyping, the programme provides an opportunity to pursue these through a focused period of additional study, either as a terminal Master degree or a route into architectural doctoral studies.
‧ MSc(AAD) provides a preparatory 12 months degree as a foundation for undertaking PhD, Doctorate of Design or to pursue an academic career. We expect MSc(AAD) to become a well-recognized route into academia for architects throughout East and South-east Asia.
‧ For undergraduates in built environment disciplines (civil engineering, building science and technology, landscape architecture, urban studies, etc.) the MSc(AAD) provides specialist education in architectural research before further professional training.
‧ For those who already have obtained professional degrees and experience and want to further their specialties and skills, the programme provides an opportunity for post-professional specialization to update their skill sets, gain mastery of the latest technologies and re-enter the discipline's frontier topics.
Design Studio Courses
MAAD6101 Design Research Studio I (12 credits)
MAAD6102 Design Research Studio II (12 credits)
MAAD6103 Design Research Studio III - Capstone Experience (12 credits)
Core Courses
MAAD6201 Research-based Design: Case Studies (6 credits)
MAAD6202 Topics in Fabrication: Techniques and Technologies (6 credits)
MAAD6203 Topics in Contemporary Sustainability (6 credits)
Elective Courses
MAAD6301 Fabrication Techniques I (Traditional) (6 credits)
MAAD6302 New Materials (6 credits)
MAAD6303 Experiments in Making (6 credits)
MAAD6304 New Technologies in Design (AR/VR/AI) (6 credits)
MAAD6305 Fabrication Techniques II (Robotic and Digital) (6 credits)
MAAD6306 Sustainable Construction (6 credits)
MAAD6307 Topics in Urbanization (6 credits)
MAAD6308 Creative Practice 1 (6 credits)
MAAD6309 Creative Practice 2 (6 credits)
MSc(AAD) is envisioned as THE BUILDING SOCIETY, http://www.thebuildingsociety.arch.hku.hk, a collaborative practice-research design studio formed by the students, teachers and collaborators.
The MSc(AAD) curriculum comprises 3 research-based design studio courses (36 credits, including a capstone studio), 3 core courses (18 credits), and 3 elective courses (18 credits), leading to a 1-year full- time study (totalling 72 credits). It provides opportunities for students from different backgrounds:
‧ For students who have studied architecture and developed an interest in new technologies, environmental design, and construction prototyping, the programme provides an opportunity to pursue these through a focused period of additional study, either as a terminal Master degree or a route into architectural doctoral studies.
‧ MSc(AAD) provides a preparatory 12 months degree as a foundation for undertaking PhD, Doctorate of Design or to pursue an academic career. We expect MSc(AAD) to become a well-recognized route into academia for architects throughout East and South-east Asia.
‧ For undergraduates in built environment disciplines (civil engineering, building science and technology, landscape architecture, urban studies, etc.) the MSc(AAD) provides specialist education in architectural research before further professional training.
‧ For those who already have obtained professional degrees and experience and want to further their specialties and skills, the programme provides an opportunity for post-professional specialization to update their skill sets, gain mastery of the latest technologies and re-enter the discipline's frontier topics.
Design Studio Courses
MAAD6101 Design Research Studio I (12 credits)
MAAD6102 Design Research Studio II (12 credits)
MAAD6103 Design Research Studio III - Capstone Experience (12 credits)
Core Courses
MAAD6201 Research-based Design: Case Studies (6 credits)
MAAD6202 Topics in Fabrication: Techniques and Technologies (6 credits)
MAAD6203 Topics in Contemporary Sustainability (6 credits)
Elective Courses
MAAD6301 Fabrication Techniques I (Traditional) (6 credits)
MAAD6302 New Materials (6 credits)
MAAD6303 Experiments in Making (6 credits)
MAAD6304 New Technologies in Design (AR/VR/AI) (6 credits)
MAAD6305 Fabrication Techniques II (Robotic and Digital) (6 credits)
MAAD6306 Sustainable Construction (6 credits)
MAAD6307 Topics in Urbanization (6 credits)
MAAD6308 Creative Practice 1 (6 credits)
MAAD6309 Creative Practice 2 (6 credits)
Entrance Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the degree of Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design, candidates shall:
a) comply with the General Regulations and the Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Curricula;
b) hold
i) a Bachelor's degree preferably in architecture, engineering, surveying, environmental science, geography or related fields in this University; or
ii) other qualification of equivalent standard from this university or other comparable institution accepted for this purpose; and
iii) preferably a professional qualification in the architecture, building engineering, surveying or related fields.
c) 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 higher degrees as prescribed under General Regulation G2(b); and
d) satisfy the examiners in a qualifying examination if required.
a) comply with the General Regulations and the Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Curricula;
b) hold
i) a Bachelor's degree preferably in architecture, engineering, surveying, environmental science, geography or related fields in this University; or
ii) other qualification of equivalent standard from this university or other comparable institution accepted for this purpose; and
iii) preferably a professional qualification in the architecture, building engineering, surveying or related fields.
c) 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 higher degrees as prescribed under General Regulation G2(b); and
d) satisfy the examiners in a qualifying examination if required.
Download Documents
For additional information, we recommend reviewing the following documents:
Additional Information
PDF Document
Regulations & Syllabuses
PDF Document
Supporting Documents
PDF Document
Faculty
Faculty of Architecture
The Faculty of Architecture offers a comprehensive range of Taught Postgraduate Programmes in its three departments and one division, covering breadth and depth in the professional as well as academic research fields of Architecture, Real Estate and Construction, Urban Planning and Design, Landscape Architecture and Architectural Conservation. The majority of programmes offered are being professionally accredited by local and/or overseas professional bodies.
The following postgraduate programmes are currently offered by the Faculty of Architecture:
Master of Architecture,
Master of Architecture (Design),
Master of Digital Urban Management,
Master of Housing Management,
Master of Landscape Architecture,
Master of Science in Advanced, Architectural Design,
Master of Science in Conservation,
Master of Science in Construction Project Management,
Master of Science in Digital Management of Built Assets,
Master of Science in Real Estate,
Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Design,
Master of Science in Urban Analytics,
Master of Science in Urban Design and Transport,
Master of Science in Urban Planning,
Master of Urban Design,
Master of Urban Studies and Housing Management,
Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture
The following postgraduate programmes are currently offered by the Faculty of Architecture:
Master of Architecture,
Master of Architecture (Design),
Master of Digital Urban Management,
Master of Housing Management,
Master of Landscape Architecture,
Master of Science in Advanced, Architectural Design,
Master of Science in Conservation,
Master of Science in Construction Project Management,
Master of Science in Digital Management of Built Assets,
Master of Science in Real Estate,
Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Design,
Master of Science in Urban Analytics,
Master of Science in Urban Design and Transport,
Master of Science in Urban Planning,
Master of Urban Design,
Master of Urban Studies and Housing Management,
Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture
Faculty Website
Contacts
If you have any inquiries regarding the programme or faculty, please do not hesitate to reach out to us using the contact methods provided below:
Contact Info
Faculty of Architecture's programme officer
Jan Intake: 3917 8036
Jun & Sep Intake: 3910 3577
