Enrollment for the brand new 2-year full-time English language based architecture Masters programme at XJTLU in Suzhou, China is now open.

The Master of Architectural Design programme has a length of two academic years. Each of the four semesters of the programme is centred on a unit-based studio module. Units are formed around research foci of within the Department of Architecture and to meet specific needs of the profession locally and abroad. Studio units are formed around the following (indicative) issues:

- Urban development
- Regeneration and adaptive re-use
- Innovation in architectural fabrication and construction
- Computer-aided architectural design
- Architectural theory and criticism

Each studio module contains one or several shorter design briefs offering students opportunities and challenges to conduct practice-based research. Briefs will typically be framed to address specific architectural sites. Design work in the studios is expected to amount to a coherent body of work for each student, which forms the intellectual basis for the final thesis design project and its accompanying written thesis. Studio projects in year 1 of this programme may be group projects. Studio projects in year 2 are typically conducted individually. A required and non-credit bearing practice placement lasting typically three months will take place during summer between year 1 and  year 2. Lecture-based modules addressing technology applications in architecture, construction and management, practice management, research methods and thesis writing complement and enhance the studio elements.

Regular presentations of design work to staff, student colleagues and to invited graduate research conference panellists place a premium on graphic and verbal communication. The meeting of deadlines at the intermediate stages and end of a lengthy project demands good time management. The analysis of problems in the early stages of a design project and the formulation of suitable responses demands clear and logical as well as lateral thinking. Design projects may be framed to encourage collaborative work in the early data-collecting and analytical stages, and some demand group working throughout. At a number of different points the MArchDes programme requires students (working individually or in groups) to analyse problems and to develop a brief for a building or an urban design, taking into consideration a wide variety of social, economic, technical and environmental factors in addition to statutory requirements and the broader cultural context within which architects and other construction industry professionals operate.

For entry requirements, fees, and further information on how to apply, please see the postgraduate section at XJTLU: 

http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/postgraduate/masters-degree.html

We would like to hear from you! Do not hesitate to contact our school secretary in case of further questions: Chongyao.Huang@xjtlu.edu.cn