Program Overview

Master of Architecture Engineering

The Master of Architecture Engineering is a graduate program at the Islamic Azad University (IAU)- UAE Branch that focuses on studying the architectural profession and conducting research. This program builds upon the Bachelor of Architecture Engineering. It aims to equip graduate students with fundamental disciplinary knowledge and skills in architectural design, environmental design, socio-cultural approaches, building construction, and architectural research within the context of Iranian architecture and global society.

Program Aims

This program prepares graduates with the skills they require to:

• Understand the body of architectural knowledge and skills in both local and international contexts.
• Develop their design skills and knowledge.
• Enhance their construction management abilities.
• Conduct research projects in architectural and socio-cultural contexts.

Program Career Outcomes

After graduating with a Master of Architecture, architects will have the opportunity to work worldwide on various projects. Graduates can benefit from opportunities in both the private and public sectors, including housing projects, firm designs, and municipal projects. Other potential career paths include roles as consultants, building surveyors, set designers for film, landscape architects, structural engineers, urban planners/designers, and university educators.

Program Learning Objectives (PLO)

By the end of the program, graduates are expected to be empowered with:

1. Design Theories, Methods, and Skills:

• PLO1: Discussing the main theories and methods in architectural design disciplines.
• PLO2: Developing architectural design practice and skills.

2. Theory and Knowledge:

• PLO3: Discussing original texts, essays, and documents in architectural theory and history.
• PLO4: Developing socio-cultural and historical-contextual studies in architecture.

3. Professional Practice:

• PLO5: Developing professional knowledge and skills in design and building construction.
• PLO6: Exploring professional possibilities for applying expertise in productive employment.

4. Research Practice:

• PLO7: Expanding the culture of research and identifying research problems conducted by other scholars in a particular area of architecture.
• PLO8: Realising the types of research methods employed in the systematic spatial study of the built environment.
• PLO9: Conducting a research project (small or medium-sized) in the field and/or subfield of architecture.

Program Structure

The program consists of the following courses and credits:

• Category: Master of Architecture (MA)
• Course Type: Core Course
• No.: 11
• Credits: 32
  • Core Courses: 3 (4 credits), 6 (2 credits), *1 (6 credits)
  • General Elective Courses: 1 (2 credits)
• Dissertation: *Dissertation

Program Schedule

The program schedule includes the following courses:

• Research Methodology in Architecture: Core Course, 2 credits, 32 hours per semester
• Architectural Programming and Design Methods: Core Course, 2 credits, 32 hours per semester
• Architectural Design I: Core Course, 4 credits, 128 hours per semester
• Iranian Architecture Philosophy (and Wisdom): Core Course, 2 credits, 32 hours per semester
• Architectural Design II: Core Course, 4 credits, 128 hours per semester
• Human Beings and Environment: Core Course, 2 credits, 32 hours per semester
• Architectural Rights and Regulations: Core Course, 2 credits, 32 hours per semester
• Architectural Design III: Core Course, 4 credits, 128 hours per semester
• Construction Procedure: Core Course, 2 credits, 64 hours per semester
• Final Design Project and Dissertation: Core Course, 6 credits, 192 hours per semester
• Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins: Core Elective Course, 2 credits, 32 hours per semester
• TOTAL: 32 credits, 832 hours per semester

Core Courses

1. Research Methodology in Architecture: The course advances a framework, process, and compositional approach for designing a research proposal.
2. Architectural Programming and Design Methods: The course includes two parts: architectural programming and design theories, processes, and methods.
3. Architectural Design I: The course extends the courses "Architectural Design I, II, III, IV, and V" in the Bachelor of Architectural Engineering program.
4. Iranian Architecture Philosophy (and Wisdom): The course discusses the philosophy and wisdom in Iranian architecture.
5. Architectural Design II: The course discusses the theoretical bases in the architectural design process, design creativity, and architectural aesthetics.
6. Human Beings and Environment: The course discusses the relationship between humans and natural and built environments theoretically and practically.
7. Architectural Rights and Regulations: The course discusses the laws, rules, and regulations related to architectural practice and professions.
8. Architectural Design III: The course discusses the functional and technical design elements and integrated design using structural, mechanical, and electrical components.
9. Construction Procedure: The course discusses the technical, and technological construction factors, themes, and procedures in architecture.
10. Final Design Project and Dissertation: The course sums up all knowledge, design skills, research skills, and construction abilities by a mid or large scale design project and a research dissertation.

General Elective Courses

1. Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins: The course includes theoretical studies in contemporary architecture and research on their origins and roots.

Entry Requirements

All students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, university general entry requirements, and course-specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects.

1. English Language Requirements: This degree requires a minimum of:

• IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5, with no Writing and Speaking band less than 5.5, or
• PTE Academic score of 45, with no score lower than 40, or
• TOEFL (iBT) of 53, with no individual band less than 50

2. General Entry Requirements: Admission to the graduate program at the Islamic Azad University-UAE Branch requires the completion of an undergraduate program (Bachelor's degree).
3. Specific Entry Requirements: Students must have a bachelor's degree in architecture to be admitted to the Master of Architecture program. If the applicant holds an undergraduate degree in other programs, or disciplines other than Architecture, they need to complete some foundation courses in the first semester of their studies.

Fees & Scholarships

The Islamic Azad University, UAE Branch, has considered significant discounts for the following students:

• Iranian Students (up to 20%)
• IAU-UAE Branch graduated students (up to 20%) Annual Fee (2024/2025):
• Iranian Students: AED 32,120
• Foreign Students: AED 40,150 Duration: 2 years Application Fee: AED 300 plus Support Services Fee AED 2200 (One-time)