MASTER O F ART S IN ARCHITECTURA L CONSERVATION
(MAA r C )
IS AN ADVANCED PROGRAMME THAT OFFERS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON DIVERSE ASIAN CULTURES BY PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH COMPREHENSIVE KNOWLEDGE AND ESSENTIAL HANDS-ON TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE TO DEVELOP SKILLS FOR A RANGE OF CAREERS IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS CONSERVATION AND RELATED FIELDS.
TH E PROGRAMM E
The architectural conservation graduate program at NUS offers comprehensive education and training in conservation theory, practice, and research, providing students with critical essential skill sets such as conservation science and technology, architectural documentation and recording, conservation planning and management, heritage interpretation and communication, research and critical thinking, and networking opportunities with the conservation industry. Historic Asian cities, cradles of civilisation, are undergoing profound transformations due to rapid urbanisation and migration. What is at stake is the potential loss of cultural heritage and the irreversible change of inner-city neighbourhoods, impacting people’s lives, work, and the preservation of urban fabric. To address these challenges, our educational approach equips students with historical insights, intellectual skills, and practical abilities for conservation projects of various sizes and contexts. We emphasise the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, as heritage management necessitates cooperation across professions and stakeholders. This prepares our students to care for cultural values and historic fabric, recognising that solving complex urban heritage challenges requires a multifaceted approach.
For more information on the programme, visit www.cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/ programmes/master-of-arts-inarchitectural-conservation
STRUCTUR E
MA in Architectural Conservation (MAArC) 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 as per their interest.
To qualify for the MA in Architectural Conservation (MAArC) degree, candidate must successfully attain 40 units. To qualify to be eligible for a Graduate Diploma (GradDip) in Architectural Conservation, a student must successfully earn 24 units. To qualify to be eligible for a Graduate Certificate (GradCert) in Architectural Conservation, a student must successfully earn 8 units. GradDip and GradCert are stackable for the MAArC degree.
INTERNSHI P
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 (AC5002), Conservation of Twentieth-Century Buildings (AC5011), Architectural Heritage Management (AC5004), Historic Buildings Survey and Recording (AC5010), and Dissertation (AC5007).
ELECTIVE COURSES
CAREE R PERSPECTIVE S
Many MAArC alumni may return to their core disciplines as heritage conservation-trained professionals. A degree from one of the world s premier universities, NUS, enhances their standing and marketability; the MAArC experience provides an improved capability to broaden their perspective regarding emerging trends and persistent heritage issues in Asia.
With the critical skills and knowledge gained through the programme, they are well-placed to excel in the region’s heritage conservation or related sectors.
Some graduates may join government agencies, private organisations, research institutes, institutes of higher learning, or specialist consulting firms. Others may continue to pursue doctoral studies.
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 architectural conservation areas. The elective courses include: Architectural History of Singapore (AC5001), Practical Building Conservation Skills (AC5012), Internship (AC5014), Design for Conservation (AC5008), Design for Adaptive Reuse (AC5009) and other graduate-level courses offered in the Department of Architecture and the College of Design and Engineering. Students with first degree in architecture are encouraged to take the design studio courses (AC5008) and (AC5009) as their electives.
MAArC programme 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 in Singapore and the region. This practical experience can also be validated as a part of the elective course, Internship (AC5014).
Organisations willing to offer/offered placements to date:
Archaeological Survey of India, India
Aurecon Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Bautec Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
Elements Materials Technology
Fivefootway Consultants
KNTA Architects
Liu & Wo Architects
MAEK Consulting Pte. Ltd.
National Heritage Board
NUS-ArClab
NUS Museum
NUS-TTCLC, Malaysia RAMBOLL
Revival Heritage Consultants Ltd, Hong Kong
Singapore Heritage Society
Songkhla Heritage Trust, Thailand
Studio Lapis
Takenaka Corporation
The Bendahari, Malaysia
UNESCO Bangkok, Thailand
Urban Redevelopment Authority
York Minster Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills & Estate Management, UK
STUDY TR I P
The MAArC programme enhances the learning experience by exposing students to real and professional scenarios. As part of this experience, an annual overseas study for students is organised to infuse the ability to understand, analyse critically, and manage heritage sensitively and reasonably in Asian contexts. With input from local government agencies and conservation authorities, private conservation professionals, and academic institutions, this study trip provides an in-depth understanding of built heritage conservation efforts for the sustainable development of the historic environment.
ADMISSIO N REQUIREMENT S
Admission for the Master of Arts (MAArC) and Graduate Diploma (GradDip) in Architectural Conservation courses is every August.
Admission for Graduate Certificate (GradCert) is twice yearly January and August.
Prospective students, in general, should have bachelor’s degree with honours or equivalent from a reputed university in an area related to the built environment, such as architecture, urban planning, urban design, heritage management, tourism studies or qualifications as may be approved by NUS.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their language proficiency through TOEFL/IELTS test scores. Applicants may be waived from this requirement if they completed their degree programme taught entirely in English in an English-speaking country.
To meet the English requirement for our programmes, the minimu m score expected is: IELTS (Academic), minimum 6.5
overall band score
TOEFL iBT, minimum score of 92
For IELTS/TOEFL, only scores obtained in the two years leading up to the application deadline will be considered.
For more information on admission requirements, visit www.cde.nus.edu.sg/ graduate/graduate-programmes-by-course work/admission-requirement
GRADUATIO N REQUIREMENT S
SCHOLARSHIP S
The National Heritage Board (NHB) Scholarship allows individuals to pursue full-time postgraduate studies.
www.nhb.gov.sg/who-we-are/join-us/scholarship
The Tun Tan Cheng Lock Scholarship in Heritage Studies is given to deserving students pursuing the Master of Arts in Architectural Conservation (MAArC) program offered by the Department of Architecture, NUS.
www.cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/research/ tun-tan-cheng-lock-centre/donor-and-scholarship
The Tun Dato Sir Cheng-Lock Tan MA Scholarship supports local students with the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in Southeast Asian Studies, Political Science and International Relations, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Geography, Archaeology/Archaeological Science and other relevant subjects, including Architectural Conservation. www.iseas.edu.sg/about-us/opportunities/scholarships
PROGRAMME FE E *
FOR AUGUST 2024 INTAKE
Master of Arts in Architectural Conservation (MAArC):
S$49,050
Graduate Diploma in Architectural Conservation (GradDip):
S$29,430
Graduate Certificate in Architectural Conservation (GradCert):
S$9,810
Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents candidates will enjoy 10% fee rebate as set by NUS policy. This rebate increases to 15% if the candidate is a NUS alumni. International candidates who are NUS alumni will enjoy a fee rebate of 15%.
RESEARC H C ENTRE S
The Architectural Conservation Laboratory (ArClab) at Neil Rd in Singapore is part of the Department of Architecture. With focus on developing innovative techniques to advance the documentation and conservation of the historic fabric, creative design, and policy research for broader conservation issues, the ArClab enables cutting-edge cross-disciplinary research and collaboration across digital conservation technology, material sciences, and building aesthetics. The ArClab provides students with various equipment and hands-on conservation and research facilities in a conserved building. www.arclabnus.com
FINANCIAL AI D
The NUS Student Work Scheme (NSWS) aims to encourage NUS students to be self-reliant and gain working experience on campus. The details of available jobs are posted in the NSWS Central Resource Portal, where NUS departments advertise for student helpers. www.nus.edu.sg/cfg/students/jobs-internships/nsws
The Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Asian Architectural and Urban Heritage (TTCLC) in Malacca, Malaysia, is a unique resource of the Department of Architecture. It is tasked to advance the area of excellence in studying historical architecture and urban environments of Asia, using Malacca, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Centre’s activities encompass hands-on field training and educational initiatives through field trips while serving as hub for conservation-related events, exhibitions, and heritage training. www.cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/research/tun-tancheng-lock-centre
CONTAC T U S
NIKHIL JOSHI
AKINJ@NUS.EDU.SG
JOHANNES WIDODO
JWIDODO@NUS.EDU.SG
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
COLLEGE OF DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
ARCHITECTURE DRIVE
SDE1, #03-01
SINGAPORE 117566
WEBSITES
WWW.CDE.NUS.EDU.SG/ARCH/PROGRAMMES/MASTEROF-ARTS-IN-ARCHITECTURAL-CONSERVATION
For more information on programme fee, visit www.cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/ programmes/master-of-arts-in-architecturalconservation/programme-fee
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NUS.MAARC
WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/NUS-ARCHITECTURAL -CONSERVATION
