Master of Urban Design and Regional Planning

Programme Aims and Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Enhance existing construction-related professionals with the knowledge of urban design and regional planning;
• Produce experts with comprehensive knowledge of urban design and regional planning;
• Offer a route for further study to graduates of construction-related disciplines;
• Provide multi-disciplinary approach for architecture, civil engineering, urban design, urban planning, building services and construction professionals;
• Train/equip students with the skills for carrying out research works in various related disciplines.

Key Facts

• Mode of Study: Combined †
• Mode of Funding: Non-government-funded
• Indicative Intake Target: 40
• Minimum Number of Credits Required: 60
• Class Schedule:
  • Students are expected to attend classes in the weekday daytimes (occasionally, at evenings, on Saturdays or Sundays). The courses (including the core courses) of the programme may be scheduled in weekday daytime session for the academic year.
• Normal Study Period:
  • Full-time: 2 years (4 semesters)
  • Part-time: 4 years (8 semesters)
• Maximum Study Period:
  • Full-time: 5 years
  • Part-time/Combined mode: 10 years
• Mode of Processing:
  • Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Review of applications will start before the deadline and continue until all places are filled. Early applications are therefore strongly encouraged.

† Combined mode: Local students taking programmes in combined mode can attend full-time (12-18 credit units per semester) or part-time (no more than 11 credit units per semester) study in different semesters without seeking approval from the University. For non-local students, they will be admitted to these programmes for either full-time or part-time studies. Non-local students must maintain the required credit load for their full-time or part-time studies and any changes will require approval from the University.

Course Description

Each student must satisfactorily complete at least 60 credit units before the Master of Urban Design and Regional Planning is awarded. The total 60 credit units comprise two parts, namely the core courses (24 credits) and elective courses (36 credits). Reference should be made to the programme document and the student handbook for the criteria of choosing electives. The curriculum includes six key areas in urban planning and design:

• Planning and Design Studio
• History and Theory
• Urban Economics and Development
• Advanced Technology
• Practice and Law
• Research

Professional Accreditation

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) approved to grant accreditation for the programme from 2014/2015 academic year.

The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) approved the programme as a cognate degree programme for admission to the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) Scheme leading to professional membership under the Planning & Development Division of the HKIS.

Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design (HKIUD) approved to grant accreditation for the programme for a period of 5 years commencing 21 September 2022.

The Department will explore the possibility of seeking professional accreditation of the programme by relevant professional institutes such as the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, Hong Kong Institute of Urban Designers and other relevant professional institutions.

Credit Unit Transfer

In general, application for credit unit transfer is normally not entertained. In case an application is considered fully justified by the Head of Department, the courses for transfer must be taken from the master programme by the student within 3 years from the date of application of this transfer exercise. This arrangement does not apply to students registering for another stream after graduation from one stream. Criteria for granting credit unit transfer include the level, the duration and the content of the course.

Applications for credit transfer for work completed prior to entry to the University must be made in the first semester following the student’s admission, before the deadline set by the University. Applications for credit transfer for outside work completed after admission to the University must be made immediately in the semester following attainment of the additional qualification.

Please observe the Academic Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Degrees (including remarks) under Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies website (www.sgs.cityu.edu.hk) before accepting the offer.