Master of Science in Architecture and Urbanism

The Master of Science in Architecture and Urbanism (MSAU) degree is offered at Effat University, administered by the Architecture Department, and supervised by Effat College of Architecture and Design. The MSAU program constructs a common intellectual ground for architects, planners, designers, landscape architects, environmental designers, and graduates holding a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, business and humanities who plan to practice architecture and urban design professionally, pursue a career in academia and research, or enhance and update their knowledge and experience as architects and urban designers. Towards the attainment of this objective, the program provides state-of-the-art knowledge of the architecture and urbanism techniques-and-procedures. The program’s educational culture is to challenge students to reconsider architecture and urbanism within the contemporary context of economic, political, social, and environmental challenges that often designate today’s agglomerations. The program amalgamates theoretical-based knowledge and practical-based knowledge that enable graduates to seize a competitive edge in the job markets through the multiple career opportunities that might be pursued.

Students at the MSAU program work in groups to handle larger assigned projects. Students themselves will form their teams based on academic interests and assigned design problems. By working in groups students are able to take on projects that would otherwise exceed the capabilities of a single person. This allows the students to get a deeper and broader understanding of the complexity of the studied problems while developing teamwork skills.

The MSAU program focuses on Problem-Based Learning (PBL). The philosophy behind PBL is that the interaction between academic theory and professional practice develops the students’ ability to analyze and solve complex problems in a more independent and innovative manner. Naturally, students are also introduced to theories and methods through lectures, courses, and workshops. In each semester, there is a significant project, in which the taught theories and methods are applied. The MSAU program is based mainly on research so that students are offered the newest scientific knowledge. As a result, the students will be able to develop and present an individual graduation thesis on a topic of their choice.​