Master of Urban Design The University of Hong Kong

The Master of Urban Design (MUD) provides an education in the design of the built environment for an era of uban challenges. Urban design is emerging as a distinct knowledge domain. It is a one-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Urban Planning and Design in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong. The programme attracts a diverse body of local and international students, most with prior backgrounds in architecture, landscape architecture, urban and transport planning and related disciplines. MUD graduates pursue careers as design professionals and many go on to work in the world's most dynamic metropolises.

The programme focuses on urban design challenges in Asian cities with an emphasis on international perspectives, exploring topics such as high density urbanization, development, health and quality of life, green infrastructure, sustainable mobility, renewable energy, climate change and design thinking. Teaching is informed by cutting edge urban design research and takes full advantage of its location in Hong Kong, a living hyper-density laboratory for urban design. Students acquire urban design skills through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, design studios, design reviews, and local and international field study visits. These are led by academics and practitioners in urban design and related disciplines.

The Master of Urban Design programme is accredited by Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design (HKIUD) and the UK's Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) under its specialism scheme. The MUD Programme run over three semesters (equivalent to 1.5 years). The MUD Programme is equivalent to European Master' Degree measured by the European Credit Transfer System (90 ECTS). Upon completing the MUD programme, graduates are entitled to a one-year IANG working visa which can be extended by employers.

For applicants who satisfy admissions criteria for both the MUD and Master of Science in Urban Planning (MUP) programmes, there is the option of applying for admission to both programmes, and completing both degrees in a period of 2½ years, instead of 3. MUP is fully recognized by the Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) and Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

The programme welcomes Asian Bank Development JSP postgraduate scholarship applicants.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the courses leading to a taught postgraduate qualification, a candidate:

a) shall comply with the General Regulations;

b) shall hold a Bachelor's degree of this University or a qualification of equivalent standard from this University or another comparable institution accepted for this purpose;

c) shall satisfy any other admission requirements which may be prescribed from time to time for the relevant curriculum; and

d) for a candidate who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English, shall satisfy the University English language requirement applicable to high degrees as prescribed under General Regulation G2(b).

An application for exemption from the above requirements shall be considered on a case by case basis.