Metadata
Title
Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism
Category
general
UUID
00db5eedff514c9582e980c992926a26
Source URL
https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cis/msiau
Parent URL
https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cis
Crawl Time
2026-03-20T01:24:07+00:00
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Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism

Source: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cis/msiau Parent: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cis

College of Islamic Studies

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The Master of Science (MS) in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism is a multidisciplinary program that aims to equip future designers, curators, and historians with a critical and informed understanding of Islamic art and architecture across centuries, spanning from Andalusia to Central Asia into the present era.

This program encourages research towards safeguarding Islamic heritage by examining the diversity and the contextual history of Islamic material culture. In addition, graduates will investigate notions of rapid urbanization, designing civic spaces, spatial humanities, migration and urbanism, crosscultural art influences, heritage preservation, and more, qualifying them to pursue careers in Islamic art history, contemporary mosque architecture, sustainable urbanism fields, and related career pathways.

Language

English

Program Duration

2 Years

Certification

Masters

Factsheet

The MS in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism program is unique in focus, structure, and content, with no similar program offered in the Islamic world.

The program focuses on the critical construction, acquisition, dissemination, and application of art history, architecture, and urbanism to international institutions in general, and more specifically to diverse Islamic societies.

This comprehensive program delves into the art, architecture, and urbanism of a wide range of Islaminfluenced civilizations. It offers specializations that aim to develop critical tools for the analysis of buildings and public spaces at different scales, and advanced skills for their application in architectural design projects. Another track endeavors to develop expertise in the study and display of historical objects and the deep understanding and appreciation required to exhibit such artifacts.

The program utilizes creative platforms outside the traditional classroom, such as collaborative workshops by international figures in the field; provides opportunities to explore a different country in the Islamic world every year; and helps expand the student’s network through encounters with specialists and specialist institutions based locally and abroad.

A 36-credit degree program taught over two years in English that includes:

| Course Name | | --- | | Ahkam al-Bunyan: Building Ordinances | | History of Islamic Art and Architecture I (650-1250) | | History of Islamic Art and Architecture II (1250 -1900) | | Independent Project Modelling | | Interpreting Environments: Habitat Values and Sustainable Practices in Islam | | Research and Design Methods | | Survey of Architectural Typologies of the Islamic World | - A choice of three specializations (6 credits)

| Course Name | | --- | | Specialization I: Islamic Arts: History and Cultural Display - Islamic Objects and Manuscripts - Museum and Exhibition Studies | | Specialization II: Contemporary Mosque Architecture - Islamic Architecture and Urbanism in the 20th and 21st Centuries - Mosque Architecture Design | | Specialization III: Sustainable Cities of Muslim Societies - Contemporary Cities for Muslim Societies - Globalization, Cities, and Urban Policies | - A choice of one elective out of four options* (3 credits):

Course Name
Sustainable Islamic Urbanism: Past and Present
Urban Interventions in Historic Islamic Cities
Physical Spaces and Spatial Humanities in Digital Societies
Types and Typologies of Domestic Architecture

*Students can also select an elective course from other specializations within the program.

Applicants seeking admissions to the Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism should have a bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA out of 4.0) from a recognized institution in the related fields of Art History, Archaeology, Interior Architecture/Design, Architecture, and Urban Planning.

Please refer to the following table for a summary of the admissions criteria:

Program MS in Islamic Art, Architecture, and Urbanism
Required Field of Study Art History, Archaeology, Interior Architecture/ Design, Architecture, and Urban Planning
Language Proficiency IELTS: 6.5 or TOEFL:79 Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available on the website: CIS Admissions

Tuition Fees

Student Financial Information

Program Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism
Total Program Tuition Fees QAR 90,000
Tuition Fees per Credit Hour QAR 2,500
Total Program Credit Hours 36
Program Duration 2