Admissions 2022-2023
The Master of Science in Urban Design Programme is organized as a self‐financed programme of the Graduate School at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The tuition fee is $220,000 for academic year 2022-23 (16 months normative period). The places for the programme are given based on the academic and professional merit of the application.
Application must be made at the website of Graduate School’s Online Application System.
Deadline of application for 2022 entry: 15 April 2022
Application Requirements and Procedures
- Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning or a related area recognized by the country where the school is located, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than "B".
- Priority will be given to applicants with one year or more of relevant working experience.
- To fulfill the English Language Proficiency Requirement for admission, applicant should:
- obtained a degree from a university in Hong Kong or taken a degree programme of which the medium of instruction was English; or
- achieved scores in the following English Language tests as indicated:
- TOEFL: 550 (Paper-based)/79 (Internet-based);
- GMAT (Verbal): Band 21;
- IELTS (Academic) (Band 6.5); or
- (*TOEFL and IELTS are considered valid for two years from the test date. GMAT is considered valid for five years from the test date)
- obtained a pass grade in English in one of the following examinations:
- Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (AS Level);
- Hong Kong Higher Level Examination;
- CUHK Matriculation Examination;
- General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE) Advanced Level (A-Level) /Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS-Level); or
- achieved Level 4 or above in the English Language subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination; or
- obtained a recognized professional qualification, provided that the examination was conducted in English.
- Statement of purpose - Explanation of your reasons for applying
- Design Portfolio (Please refer to below notes)
(For more detailed information requirements, please refer to Graduate School website)
List of Application Materials
Submission deadline: 15 April 2022.All application materials should be submitted directly to:
The School of Architecture,
Room 106, Lee Shau Kee Architecture Building,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong,
Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR
(Attention: MSc in Urban Design Admission Team, Phone 39431309)
Hardcopy documents need to be sent right after the submission of online application, and in any case not later than 16 April 2021.
Items |
Graduate School’s online system |
Original document to be posted to School of Architecture^ |
upload to the application materials collection platform. |
|
1. |
Completed application form, CV |
NO |
NO |
YES |
2. |
Proof of payment of application fee of HK$300
|
NO |
NO |
YES |
3. |
Statement of Purpose^ |
NO |
NO |
YES |
4. |
Official transcripts of academic records of Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree obtained (photocopy/certified true copy of transcripts will not be accepted).
|
YES |
YES |
YES |
5. |
Graduation and/or Degree certificate(s) of Bachelor’s and/or Master’s Degree(s) obtained. |
YES |
NO |
YES |
6. |
Proof of 1 year or more practical experience
|
NO |
YES |
YES |
7. |
Copies of other academic/professional qualifications, if any (in 1 pdf). |
NO |
NO |
YES |
8. |
Declaration of Academic Integrity^
|
NO |
NO |
YES |
9. |
Original English test report of TOEFL, IELTS, or GMAT for applicants from non-English speaking countries.
|
YES |
YES |
YES |
10. |
Identity card or passport as given in the application form. |
YES |
NO |
YES |
11. |
Confidential recommendations from 2 referees who have taught you or worked closely with you and could comment in detail on your abilities and personalities. (Referee can choose to submit the recommendation form/and letter for you via online system https://oiss.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk/sbm_info/referee_login.aspx or in hard copy.) |
NO |
YES |
NO |
12. |
Design Portfolio (please refer to below notes) |
NO |
NO |
YES |
13. |
Applicants who obtained degrees from universities in Mainland China are required to provide an Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部學歷證書電子註冊備案表) issued by the CHESICC (學信網). |
NO |
NO |
YES |
14. |
Applicants with degrees awarded by overseas universities by distance learning or by completing a curriculum of short duration are required to provide assessment report from the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) on the level of qualification obtained by the application deadline. |
NO |
NO |
YES |
15. |
Employer’s evaluation form (Preferably direct supervisor) |
NO |
YES |
NO |
^ Additional forms can be downloaded at http://www.arch.cuhk.edu.hk/programme/master-science-urban-design/
Notes to Applicant
Please refer to Graduate School Office’s website for the latest announcement on the admissions requirements. More detailed information on the supporting documents required by the University and frequently asked questions (FAQ) can be found at the Graduate School website .
The ultimate judgment and decision as to whether the conditions for admission are fulfilled by the applicants shall be vested with the School of Architecture. As a general policy, no refund will be arranged upon acceptance of an offer except under special circumstances as deemed by the School of Architecture.
Grading Scheme
If your university do not have a grading scheme, please ask for a certifying letter from University Registry indicating that your programme do not have grading scheme.
Design Portfolio
The portfolio of independent work should illustrate independent studies and your own work from practical experience and should be accompanied by a commentary of not more than 1500 words. The portfolio should not exceed A4 size and no more than 20 pages (include the cover and content page). It should be selected to fit best to the materials which you want to present. In general, the portfolio should inform in a concise way about your school and practical work. It should not be a loose collection of material; but be clearly structured to reflect your educational and practical experiences. Proper credit and context must be given for all work shown including author, collaborators, and professional office in which the work was completed. Failure to properly credit work may result in the portfolio being discounted or the applicant being disqualified. Please put down your full name on the front cover of the portfolio for ease of identification.
Portfolios of (a) previous school work and (b) independent work with your full name and application number marked on the cover should be uploaded to the School of Architecture application materials collection platform no later than 15 April 2022. No Hardcopy is accepted.
Design Portfolio Requirements:
i_Cover
- Indicate clearly your full name and application number on the cover of the portfolio for ease of Identification
- Include the date and programme you are applying to
ii_Format
- PDF format smaller than 10MB, as softcopy
iii_Content
- 4 Academic projects only
- Each project to be titled
- Chronological order, with the most recent project placed first
- Include architectural drawings (Plans, Sections, etc.)
- Include evidence of the Design Process, i.e. the thinking behind each project
- 2 pages maximum dedicated to Professional work
- No models of physical artifacts can be sent
iii_Credit and Plagiarism
- Proper credit and context must be given for all work shown in the portfolio, including authors, collaborators, and professional offices in which the work was completed
- Failure to credit work properly or appropriating other people’s work is a serious offence and may result in the portfolio being discounted or the applicant being disqualified
Available Scholarship
CUHK Design Talent Scholarship
This merit-based Scholarship is intended for young talents with outstanding academic performance who demonstrate excellent design ability and potential in the field of architecture and urban design. Priority shall be given to underrepresented groups. The Scholarship will fund half tuition for the selected applicants – self-financed students of our Master of Architecture or Master of Science in Urban Design Programmes.
This Scholarship will be awarded at the time of admission. All applicants who submit a completed application will be considered. No additional materials or application submission is required. Applicants awarded this scholarship will be notified later on.