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.

This degree program aims to develop comprehensive knowledge and skills in architectural design and construction, and to apply conceptualization, analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills to shape and influence society. Graduates will acquire advanced adaptation skills for both local and international contexts in architecture and building construction. IAU’s mission is to transform the architecture program from being just a discipline to a way of life.

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:

Design Theories, Methods, and Skills:

PLO1: Discussing the main theories and methods in architectural design disciplines.

PLO2: Developing architectural design practice and skills.

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.

Professional Practice:

PLO5: Developing professional knowledge and skills in design and building construction.

PLO6: Exploring professional possibilities for applying expertise in productive employment.

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

Upon completing the requirements of the following courses and credits, the students will be graduated from the Bachelor of Architecture Engineering program.

Category	Course Type	No.	Credits
Master of Architecture (MA)	Core Course[1]	3	4
		6	2
		*1	6
	General Elective Courses[2]	1	2
Total		11	32
*Dissertation

[1]Core means those courses that are compulsory for the qualification’s major/specialization.

[2] General Elective means the list of courses from which students may make any selection up to the total number of required credit hours or points. IAU-UAE students are required to select at least 2 credits from among the general elective courses.

Program Schedule

Course	Course Type	Credits	Hours Per Semester
Research Methodology in Architecture	Core Course	2	32
Architectural Programming and Design Methods	Core Course	2	32
Architectural Design I	Core Course	4	128
Iranian Architecture Philosophy (and Wisdom)	Core Course	2	32
Architectural Design II	Core Course	4	128
Human Beings and Environment	Core Course	2	32
Architectural Rights and Regulations	Core Course	2	32
Architectural Design III	Core Course	4	128
Construction Procedure	Core Course	2	64
Final Design Project and Dissertation	Core Course	6	192
Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins	Core Elective Course	2	32
TOTAL		32	832

Core courses

Research Methodology in Architecture

The course “Research Methodology in Architecture” advances a framework, process, and compositional approach for designing a research proposal. The course addresses the elements of the research process: writing an introduction, stating a purpose for the study, identifying research questions and hypotheses, and advancing methods and procedures for data collection and analysis.

Architectural Programming and Design Methods

The course “Architectural Programming and Design Methods” includes two parts: architectural programming and design theories, processes, and methods. This course develops theoretical studies and procedural skills in pre-design, design, and production.

Architectural Design I

The “Architectural Design I” course extends the courses “Architectural Design I, II, III, IV, and V” in the Bachelor of Architectural Engineering program. This course includes briefing, programming and planning, design methods and form development process, and the analytical-synthetically approaches in design.

Iranian Architecture Philosophy (and Wisdom)

The course “Iranian Architecture Philosophy (and Wisdom)” discusses the philosophy and wisdom in Iranian architecture to clarify and develop philosophies and thinking processes in shaping architectural objects while shaping different spatial perception types.

Architectural Design II

The course “Architectural Design II” discusses the theoretical bases in the architectural design process, design creativity, and architectural aesthetics.

Architectural Design II extends the course “Architectural Design I” at the Master of Architecture program.

Human Beings and Environment

The course “Human Beings and Environment” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course discusses the relationship between humans and natural and built environments theoretically and practically. This course emphasizes the adaptive environment and global changes to the ecosystem.

Architectural Rights and Regulations

The course “Architectural Rights and Regulations” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course discusses the laws, rules, and regulations related to architectural practice and professions and different types of national building codes, regulations, and rules interdisciplinary and beyond.

Architectural Design III

The course “Architectural Design III” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course discusses the functional and technical design elements and integrated design using structural, mechanical, and electrical components. It extends the course “Architectural Design II” at the Master of Architecture program.

Construction Procedure

The course “Construction Procedure” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course discusses the technical, and technological construction factors, themes, and procedures in architecture. This course develops students’ construction management skills and abilities.

Final Design Project and Dissertation

The course “Final Design Project and Dissertation” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This 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

Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins

The course “Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course includes theoretical studies in contemporary architecture and research on their origins and roots. Moreover, this course develops a theoretical framework for design projects. Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins extends the course “Architectural Theory (Basics)” at the Bachelor of Architectural Engineering program.

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.

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

Note: For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, an approved English language test completed within the last two years must be provided.

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).

Note: 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.

Specific Entry Requirements

Upon review by the department interview board, additional courses may be included in the program to enhance students’ abilities, up to a maximum of four courses.

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)		Duration
Iranian Students	Foreign Students	Duration
AED 32,120	AED 40,150	2 years

^{*Application Fee AED 300 plus Support Services Fee AED 2200 (One-time)}