Master of Architecture
The Master of Architecture is a graduate program at the Islamic Azad University (IAU)-UAE Branch that focuses on studying the architectural profession and practising researches. This program extends Bachelor of Architecture Engineering. The program will equip the graduate students with fundamental disciplinary knowledge and skills on architectural design, environmental design, socio-cultural approaches, construction, and practising research in architecture in the Iranian context and the global society.
This degree program aims to develop comprehensive knowledge and skills of architectural design and construction and apply conceptualisation, analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills to ideate and change society. Graduates will achieve advanced adaption skills to the local and international context.
Program Aims
This course prepares the graduates with the skills they require to
- Understand the body of architectural knowledge and skills in the local and international context
- Develop their design skills and knowledge
- Develop their construction management abilities
- Practice research projects in architectural and socio-cultural context
Program Learning Objectives (PLO)
By the end of the program, graduates are expected to be empowered of:
Design Theories, Methods and Skills
PLO1: Discussing the main theories and methods in architectural design disciplines.
PLO2: Developing the 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 construction.
PLO6: Exploring professional possibilities for applying the expertise in productive employment.
Research Practice
PLO7: Identifying the research problems conducted by other scholars in a particular area of Architecture.
PLO8: Realising the quantitative and qualitative research methods employed in the systematic spatial study of the built environment.
PLO9: Conducting a testing-out research project (small or medium size) in the field and/or subfield of architecture.
Program Career outcomes:
Posterior to graduating with Masters of Architecture, architects will have the opportunity to work worldwide on different projects. Graduates will benefit from the opportunity to work in private sectors and public sectors at projects such as, but not limited to, housing projects, firm designs, municipalities. More jobs students can land are consultants, building surveyors, building film sets, landscape architects, structural engineering, urban planning/design, and teaching in universities.
Program Schedule
Semester | Course | Course Type | Credits | Hours Per a Semester |
1st | Research Methodology and Dissertation Preparation | Core Course | 2 | 32 |
Architectural Programming and Design Methods | Core Course | 2 | 32 | |
Architectural Design I | Core Course | 4 | 128 | |
Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins | Core Elective Course | 2 | 32 | |
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2nd | Iranian Architecture Philosophy | Core Course | 2 | 32 |
Architectural Design II | Core Course | 4 | 128 | |
Human Beings and Environment | Core Course | 2 | 32 | |
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3rd | Architectural Rights and Rules | Core Course | 2 | 32 |
Architectural Design III | Core Course | 4 | 128 | |
Construction Procedure | Core Course | 2 | 64 | |
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4th | Final Design Project and Dissertation | Core Course | 6 | 192 |
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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 qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research proposal. The ascendency of qualitative research, the emergence of mixed methods approaches, and the continuing use of the traditional forms of quantitative designs among the graduate degree students have created a need for this course’s unique comparison of the three approaches to inquiry. This comparison begins with a preliminary consideration of the research paradigm, a literature review, and an assessment of the use of theory in research approaches. The course then 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, i.e. 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” at 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 Mans and natural and artificial environments theoretically and practically. This course emphasises the adaptive built 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, 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.
Program structure
Category | Course Type | No. | Credits | Hours per a Semester |
Master of Architecture (MA) |
Core Course[1] |
3 |
4
|
128 |
5 |
2 |
32
| ||
1 |
2 |
64
| ||
1 |
6 |
Final Design Project and Dissertation 192
| ||
General Elective Courses[2] |
1 |
2 |
32
| |
Total | 11 | 32 | 832 | |
[1]Core means those courses that are compulsory for the purposes of the qualification’s major/specialisation.
[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 among the general elective courses
Fees & Scholarships
All Fees | Education Service Fee | Fixed Tuition Fee | Theory Credit Points | Practical Credit Points | Workshop | Dissertation per Credit | Total Course Fee (2021/2022) | Course Fee Currency |
Dirham-based Fees | 2,200
| 4,600 | 850 | 1,350 | N/A | 2,600 | 60,000 | United Arab Emirates dirham (AED) |
Rial-based Fees | 2,200 | 6,000 | 1,050 | 1,350 | N/A | 2,600 | 71,000 | Iranian Rial |
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 an/a
- IELTS (Academic) 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
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).
- 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.
Course Specific Requirements
This course does not have any course-specific requirements.
Fees & Scholarships
All Fees | Education Service Fee | Fixed Tuition Fee | Theory Credit Points | Practical Credit Points | Workshop | Dissertation per Credit | Total Course Fee (2021/2022) | Course Fee Currency |
Dirham-based Fees | 2,200
| 7,700 | 1,050 | 1,600 | 2,000 | 3,200 | 90,000 | United Arab Emirates dirham (AED) |
