Programme Structure

MA in Architectural Conservation focuses on the various demands and expertise of the profession: policy and management, design in the historic urban context, and materials and technology linking them directly to multiple aspects of heritage conservation in Asian cities. A student will have an opportunity to choose courses that they’re interested in.

To qualify for the MAArC degree, a candidate must successfully attain 40 units. To qualify for a Graduate Diploma in Architectural Conservation, a candidate must successfully earn 24 units. To qualify for a Graduate Certificate in Architectural Conservation, a candidate must successfully earn 8 Units.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate from the GD ArC programme, candidates must complete and pass at least 24 Units, comprised of 20 Units of Essential Courses, and 4 Units of Elective Courses. The graduation requirement for a Graduate Diploma program is minimum GPA of 2.50. To continue in a Master’s programme, a student may not have GPA below 3.00 (but ≥2.50) for three consecutive semesters; or GPA below 2.50 for two consecutive semesters.

To get the Graduate Certificate ArC programme, candidates must complete and pass 8 Units of courses taken from the following list: AC5001, AC5002, AC5004, AC5010, AC5011, AC5012. The graduation requirement for a Graduate Certificate program is minimum GPA of 2.50. To continue in a Master’s programme or a Graduate Diploma program, a student may not have GPA below 3.00 (but ≥2.50) for three consecutive semesters; or GPA below 2.50 for two consecutive semesters.

Courses

ESSENTIAL COURSES

The critical analysis of the contemporary discourses on heritage conservation and management that are directly related to the climate crisis, social justice, economic viability, cultural authenticity, and environmental sustainability, especially in Asia, occupies the central theme in the curriculum. Essential courses include conservation approaches and philosophies, conservation of twentieth-century buildings, architectural heritage management, historic building conservation survey and recording, and dissertation.

ELECTIVE COURSES

Elective courses will further deepen the broader knowledge gained from the essential courses while accommodating the diversity of students’ interests and the evolving Architectural and heritage conservation field. By expanding the range of courses available and providing more flexibility in course choices, students can integrate their knowledge across various areas of Architectural Conservation. The elective courses include the architectural history of Singapore, practical building conservation skills, dissertation, internship, and other graduate-level courses offered in the Department of Architecture and the College of Design and Engineering that the Program Director approves. For students with Architectural degree background may take the studio courses Design for Conservation and Design for Adaptive Reuse as their electives.

Internship

The MAArC offers the opportunity to engage students with local and international practices, gaining practical and research experience in heritage conservation, by working as an intern in a private company or public organisation both in Singapore and the region. This practical experience can also be validated as a part of the elective internship unit (AC5014). Students can take this unit between the two semesters.

The internship allows students to participate in relevant heritage management, urban design, planning and/or research projects, and their work will be supervised and evaluated by the MAArC programme director or an appointed tutor. At the end of the internship, the student is required to submit a report explaining the project(s) involved reflecting the methods and practices learned during the experience.

The internship lasts for a minimum period of five weeks on a part-time basis (3 hours/day, 3 days/week).

Programme Handbook

Download the programme handbook here.