Master of Architecture - School of Housing, Building and Planning

The Master of Architecture Programme at School of HBP is a two-year course which is equivalent to the LAM Part II accreditation upon successful completion. This is a continuation of Bachelor of Science HBP (Architecture) or a similar Degree from other local universities or abroad with LAM Part I accreditation or equivalent. The course objective is to train future architects to be competent in exploring the design process and related skills vital to a professional architect. This master degree also provides opportunities for students to conduct a special area of study on contemporary issues such as sustainability, special technologies, conservation or other areas of special interests.

The course comprises of two years programme where the first year aims at exposing students to the design of multi storey building, focusing on technological and green aspect whereas the second semester is dedicated to problem solving of unique housing design concepts for human settlement. Students are also expected to explore smaller projects of different variety, site context and scale.

In the final year, students are expected to do an independent design thesis study of a challenging typology that suits their interest and touches on wider architectural issues. The programme promotes a holistic green approach in design, combining energy efficiency, optimum indoor environmental quality and other relevant green criteria to produce future architects who are energy conscious, forward thinking and sensitive to the environment offering revolutionary and innovative solutions for future needs. Students are also expected to be sensitive to physical, social and cultural exploration while developing strong philosophy, within an array of contemporary issues and styles. A key objective is to produce designers who have critical and analytical thinking with creative design solving capability for global future.

The pre-requisite to enter the course is to have undergone a minimum duration of 6 months of working experience in the relevant architectural field after completing the Bachelor of Architecture. The study path to Master of Architecture that is offered by the School of HBP is as shown below:

Candidates interested to pursue the Master of Architecture degree must fulfill the requirements listed below:

1) Fulfill the general requirements of USM’s Graduate School

2) Candidate should hold a good first degree in Bachelor of Science HBP (Architecture), USM or Bachelor of Architecture (equivalent to LAM Part I) from other universities of higher institutions accredited by the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM)

i. Hold a CGPA minimum of 2.75 for the Bachelor of Science HBP (Architecture) or from other universities or institutions with equivalent of LAM Part I with at least 6 months of working experience in relevant fields after graduation

ii. If candidates’ CGPA is in the range of 2.5 – 2.74, one year minimum of working experience after graduation is required in relevant fields

iii. If candidates’ CGPA is in the range of 2.0 – 2.49, five years minimum of working experience after graduation is required in relevant fields

3) Successful in the interview process

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

• A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 154; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Exemption is given to candidate if:

• English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
• Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

Full-time : Min 4 semesters / Max 8 semesters

October

** Fees are subject to change

** New fees to be imposed starting from Academic Session 2025/2026 (October 2025 intake onward)

** Fees are subject to change