Admission to Graduate Programs of Tsinghua University

Master's Program in Architecture - Future Human Habitat Design

1. Introduction

The MArch in Future Human Habitat Design program is an innovative program launched in autumn 2020 at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (Tsinghua SIGS). The program draws upon the boundary-crossing among a cluster of disciplines and focuses on advanced technologies and cutting-edge ideas related to design issues of future human habitat. The program centers on design research as its ethos and endeavors to envision and create more intelligent and sustainable built environment. The program builds on the strengths and opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the city of Shenzhen by bringing together leading technologies and emerging practice to generate and experiment with design knowledge for future human habitat.

The MArch in Future Human Habitat Design program has four key characteristics:

(1)   Integration of multiple disciplines through design thinking.

(2)   Focus on innovative solutions to key issues and challenges of future human habitat.

(3)   Strongly bound to the applicable opportunities and technological supports in Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.

(4)   Incubate young talented scholars to develop their future career out of their academic design research.

2.  Curriculum

The program covers 2 academic years. Each year has 2 semesters. The student need to complete independent thesis project and dissertation to apply for degree. The program centers on a series of 2 design studios and 1 thesis studio, which are supported by taught courses in theory and technology. The program targets at highly international, interdisciplinary, capacity-building education towards leadership and excellency in innovative design solutions to future challenges in human habitat.

1st Year:

Mandatory Public Courses;

Basic Architectural Theories;

Architectural Design;

Academic and Professional Knowledge and so on.

2nd Year:

Thesis Project and Dissertation

3. How to Apply

3.1 Required Qualification of Applicants

Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport.

Master's degree program applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree.

Applicants should be in good health and of good character, be well-behaved and be willing to abide by China's laws and regulations, as well as Tsinghua’s rules.

Language competence requirements:

Transcripts of TOEFL (85) or IELTS (6.5) (for non-native English-speaking applicants who don't have a degree in English-speaking countries).

3.2 Application Process

Applicants should complete an Online Application on the website of the THU Graduate Programs Application System for International Students (http://gradadmission.tsinghua.edu.cn) during the designated THU application period. Applicants should fill in the application information online, upload the application documents listed below to the Online Application System, and pay the application fee online at the time of submission.

3.3 Application Schedule

1st Round: 8:00 AM Oct 15, 2023——17:00 PM Dec 15, 2023

2nd Round: 8:00 AM Jan 1, 2024——17:00 PM Mar 1, 2024

Note: The winter break of THU will be from Jan 15, 2024 to Feb 22, 2024. The application system will still be available during the winter break, but online verification might be delayed due to the vacation. Applicants are therefore recommended to complete their application at least two or three weeks in advance.

3.4 Application Documents

Please upload all the listed documents below to the application system:

(1)     Personal statement. (The Personal Statement should be filled out in accordance with the requirements of university template  https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/1020/1072.htm )

(2)     Degree certificate. Applicants who will not graduate before the application deadline must provide a pre-graduation certificate from their current academic institution. In this case, the degree certificate must be submitted before registration.

(3)     Academic transcript. Applicants who will not graduate before the application deadline must provide their current academic transcript. In this case, the completed academic transcript must be submitted before registration.

(4)     Two academic recommendation letters from scholars who have the title of associate professor or higher, or senior professionals in a related academic field. Please follow the instructions on the online system for submission of online recommendation letters or upload the recommendation letters signed by references.

(5)     Passport personal information page (personal and ordinary passport).

(6)     Portfolio (Need to be uploaded in one PDF file. It could be the school assignment, competition work or internship projects. This will help the Committee to evaluate your qualification.)

(7)     Resume

4. Costs (Unit: RMB Yuan)

(1) Application Fee: RMB 800

(2) Tuition Fees: 33,000 RMB/year

(3) Accidental Injury and Hospitalization Insurance: RMB 800/year

For Application Evaluation/Scholarships/Accommodation, please check the following link:

https://www.sigs.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/2022/0929/c1402a58113/page.htm

5.Contact

Ms. WEN

Email: Cecilia.wen@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn

Tel: +86 755 26038619

Office Hour: 8:30-12:00, 13:30-17:30, M-F

Tsinghua University·Graduate Admission

1 Introduction

The School of Architecture at Tsinghua University in Beijing was the first in China to offer an accredited Master degree to foreign students in 2008. The purpose of the program is to develop a major new platform of architectural education in response to the rapid urbanization of China.

Since its founding, our EPMA program has steadily developed, and our students have won several international awards with their work done in our program. Most recently for the Student Design Competition for the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in Chicago CTBUH), see here. Our program was ranked as the world’s 5th best Graduate Program in Architecture in 2018, 1st in Asia.

The program is lead by, prof. Li Xiaodong; you can find an interview by Vladimir Belogolovsky on his thinking on ArchDaily via this link. https://www.archdaily.com/909513/iidentify-forms-with-energy-li-xiaodong-of-li-xiaodong-atelier.

The program offers a nationally accredited professional Master degree, Master in Architecture (M. Arch II). With a particular focus on the architecture and design in China. The School of Architecture gives graduate students, preferably professional Bachelor degree holders, the opportunity to pursue advanced learning in professional knowledge and independent design research.

2017 - STUDIO 1 FINAL REVIEW

2 How is this MArch program at Tsinghua in Beijing different from other universities?

Firstly, we have one of the most culturally diverse programs in the world in terms of students. We limit the number of students from a particular country, to end up with a wide mix of students. So far, we have received students from more than 50 countries all over the world. Each year we have students from all five continents. This little “united nations”creates a wonderful learning environment for everyone.

Secondly, it's located in Beijing, China; the cultural, creative and economic capital of themost exciting architectural environment at the moment.

Thirdly, our students learn to view architecture with a holistic perspective which respects material, space, program, technology, environment, culture and lifestyle of the users. Fixed architectural styles are avoided, as they limit potentials to be unique and creative. However, precedents of past experiences and knowledge are important for us to study to provide a solid background to solve new problems in hand.

2018 - HISTORIC COURTYARD RENOVATION PROJECT (BUILD)

3 About the School

Our School's academic mission is an integral part of China's urban development, and we combine the critical academic atmosphere with real-world issues that arise from the current process of rapid urbanization. The main architectural problems we are facing in 21st century are not about style or “exotic” theoretical debate, they are about sustainability and responsibility, it is about the entire process and life span of our built environment. We should not just consider the building process but also the de-building process, not just physical structure of our environment, but also the positive energy flow of our living space as a whole. Our curriculum emphasizes this very process of the entire life span of our builtenvironment in a sustainable way.

2019 - STUDIO 1 FINAL REVIEW

Another special aspect in our program is that our students are engaged with at least one real hands-on project, they are involved with the whole process of designing and building of a real project with real clients, through which they learn how to develop concepts through dialogue and reflexive thinking. Also, collaboration is crucial in our training, three out of four studio projects are conducted as team work, students are requested to team up with their peers from different countries of preferably different continents. Our staff is also composed of different backgrounds, our intention is to provide a truly global environment for students to open up their vision.

4 Our Curriculum

Courses can be divided into 5 main categories: 1) design studios, 2) theory courses, 3)seminars, 4) site visits, and 5) optional public courses. The course menu covers different academic fields, including architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, and profession-related knowledge in China. The standard language for all courses is English.

2019 - STUDIO 3 FINAL REVIEW AT SITE - WITH NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

The program adopts the credit system. A total of 27 credits, earned through courses and studios, are required for the students. Students are required to take the following studios and complete 18 credits: Architectural Design, Landscape Planning and Design, Urban Design, and Final Thesis.

The first year of the program includes four design studios of 8 weeks. Each studio is coinstructed by an internationally established professor and a local professors. We work in small groups where the student to professor rating is about 6 to 1. In addition, design critics are selected from a pool established foreign and domestic architects currently active in China. Studio topics are often real projects in some of China’s most architecture 'hot spots', including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Suzhou, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Lijiang and Qingdao, etc. In these studios, students are challenged to tackle difficult and sometimes controversial social, political, economic, ethnic and religious issues that are unique to contemporary China.

Students are required to complete 4 credits in seminars focusing on important issues in contemporary Chinese architecture, Chinese architecture history, contemporary Chinese urban development, and green building design. Each seminar is co-instructed by 2-3 professors and features guest panelists, including senior government officials, distinguished scholars, and developers.

2014 - STUDIO 3 FINAL REVIEW

Students are also required to complete courses on theory. These courses cover a wide range of fields: history, design theory, urban theory, contemporary practice, building technology, landscape and Chinese gardening, etc. These courses feature lectures by leading figures in different fields from inside and outside of China.

 In addition, there is one required credit for a “site visit” which provides students with exposure to fresh Chinese cultural and professional perspectives. The destination places are chosen from influential sites and cities of great interests of history and contemporary practice.

Optional public courses are provided by Tsinghua University, offering training in Chinese language and learning in Chinese history and culture, 4 credits in total. Students are also eligible to add (English taught) courses from other departments, such as the School of Management, the School of Environment, the Academy of Arts, etc.

First Year

1st Semester (Fall)

6 Credits in design studios

(Studio 1: Making Places | Studio 2: Building; Space and Learning)

2 Credits in seminars

(Theory and Practice of Regional Architecture & History of Chinese Architecture )

2 Credits in optional public courses

2nd Semester (Spring)

6 Credits in design studios

(Studio 3: Holistic Urban Design | Studio 4: Sustainable Society & Green Building)

2 Credits in seminars

(Contemporary Urban Planning and Design & Theory and Practice of Green Architecture)

2 Credits in optional public courses

Second Year

1 Credit in Architecture and City Visiting Study

6 Credits in Design Studios (Final Design & Written Thesis)

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE - GRADUATE LAB

5 Admission Requirements

Enrollment will be strictly limited to 20 students.

Pre-requisite: an accredited professional Bachelor degree in architecture.

Portfolio is a mandatory requirement.

2018 - VISIT TO SINGAPORE AS PART OF DESIGN STUDIO 3

6 Tuition Fee

The tuition fee is 80,000RMB the first year, and 40,000RMB the second year, with a total of RMB 120,000 for the 2 year program.

7 Contact Information

Admission Office

International Program, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University Beijing 100084, P. R. China

Tel: (8610) 62785693

Fax: (8610) 62770314

Email: m-arch-admission@tsinghua.edu.cn

Website: http://arch.tsinghua.edu.cn/column/Introduction

Online application pls click: https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/index