Master of Advanced Studies MAS Sustainable Development in Architecture

Teaching language

The teaching language is primarily Chinese. We achieve this by translating all necessary documents (lectures, tasks, submittals, etc.) and speeches (lectures, reviews, critiques, etc.) from English and German into Chinese and vice versa. Lectures in module 1 (in Switzerland) are translated simultaneously. For modules 2, 3 and 4 (in China) we aim to invite guest lecturers and guest critics that speak Chinese or also translate the speeches simultaneously. Teaching staff at the China location is bilingual Chinese-English.

Locations

For the year 2010-11, the first four weeks of the MAS (part of module 1) and the last two weeks (part of module 4) take place in Berne/Burgdorf (Switzerland). For the large section of local studies inbetween, the students have two options, either Shanghai or Shenzhen (China).

Examinations and Certification

Students have to meet certain requirements and working amount and quality in each module in order to receive certification.

A diploma certifies the successful completion of the full MAS Sustainable Development in Architecture course. The diploma grants the recipients the right to bear an academic title with the additional term of the completed field of specialization. Bern University of Applied Sciences BUAS awards students who complete the whole course the title «Master of Advanced Studies BUAS in Sustainable Development in Architecture».

A certificate certifies the successful completion of a single module within the course. For example, module 1 is a favorite because of its density of knowledge input.

Further details are agreed upon for each programme individually, or with individual professors.

Links

• Bern University of Applied Sciences
• KFH Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities of Apllied Sciences

Benefits

As a student you will acquire specialised and profound knowledge in the field of sustainable development in relation to architecture and the built environment. You will learn how to develop and use suitable tools during the planning and design processes and will be able to integrate your knowledge about various aspects of sustainability into the design. You will be able to evaluate the results autonomously and critically and will master improvements in the key areas of sustainable development in the planning and realisation of architecture. You will be able to discuss and communicate all aspects of their plans with relevant stakeholders and will be familiar with the current standards and sources of knowledge on sustainable architectural design. You be able to subsequently keep your knowledge up-to-date independently.

Goal

The program wants to offer a thorough upgrade in issues of sustainable development and sustainable architecture for architects and similar professionals. Arguably sustainability is intrinsically related to various aspects of place and location, so the aim is to undergo the major parts of the studies in one’s own working location. Therefore an intensive input in current state-of-the-art knowledge and «Best Management Practices» (BMPs) is coupled with intense studies of the sustainability levels and issues at one‘s own location. The United Nations‘ Indicators on Sustainable Development, with their social, economic, environmental and institutional dimensions, serve as a guideline for the educational objectives, while the weight of the indicators will be adapted to each participant’s professional field and locality.

The study is aimed at architects or professionals of similar fields with several years of practice experience who want to continue their education and become competent in the field of sustainable building. Graduates have the necessary awareness, knowledge and skills to cope with today’s challenges in the field of sustainability as pertaining to the built environment. About 30 students are accepted per year and location.

Teaching Structure

Each of the six modules lasts 7 continuous weeks. The opening module of the course is taught in Switzerland. The students are introduced to the course themes during a four-week cycle of lectures, supplemented with field trips. Subsequently, the students have three weeks to accomplish a written task that finalizes the module. In the second module, back in China, the students intensify what they learned in the first module. Case studies in guided studio activity are used to help the students transfer the knowledge they have acquired into a local context. The work includes examining the sustainability of contemporary and historic local building styles. In Module 3, 4 and 5 the students apply in practice the knowledge they have gained, and the tools to which they have been introduced to, to three projects that become increasingly challenging. The course ends with a thesis (module 6), a piece of theoretical work covering an aspect of the course themes. The aim is for each student to investigate a specific issue in depth.

Tuition

The tuition for the entire postgraduate course must be paid in advance. For the year 2010-11 the total tuition fee amounts to RMB 115, 000. This fee does not include travelling costs, such as the plane tickets, field trip transportation and daily commuting and accommodation. 

Application process for the MAS SUS DEV ARCH course: timetable for the year 2010-11

1. Email signed registration form (see below) to before April 30, 2010
2. After one week, you will receive the confirmation and invitation to an interview
3. Prepare your application documents to deliver at the interview
4. The interview takes place before end of May 2010
5. After the interview, you will be sent the confirmation of admission to the course
6. Pay 50% of the course fee before June 30, 2010
7. Send the documents for your visa application to us before June 30, 2010
8. Pay the remaining 50% of the course fee in order to collect the visa
9. You will receive your visa after 3 weeks
10. Study start in Switzerland is October 11, 2010

Application process

To apply, please complete the registration form (below this text) and send it to .

After having examined your registration, we will let you know when we would like to conduct an interview and whether and under which conditions you may be admitted. You will have to deliver the documents required for application during the interview.

The head of the department, acting under the supervision of the directors of studies, decides on admissions. The decision is based on the results of the application interview in which the applicant’s existing knowledge and qualifications, as well as his or her motivation, are considered.

Admission requirements

Admission to the MAS SUS DEV ARCH course requires

• a completed 4- or 5-year study in architecture with a diploma or bachelor degree and
• at least two years of professional practice experience

Foreign students

Eligible foreign students from countries for which a visa is required to enter Switzerland must apply in a timely fashion for a visa at the Swiss Consulate or the Swiss Embassy in their country/region of residence. They should assume sufficient processing time and apply ahead of time.

Living in Switzerland

Further information about Switzerland in Chinese and English:

http://www.myswitzerland.com.cn/

http://www.swissworld.org/

Documents required for the Application to the MAS course (Interview)

A) Graduates of BUAS (Bern University of Applied Sciences)

• Copy of the official final diploma certificate
• 2 photos (1x application form / 1x student card)
• Curriculum vitae
• Reference(s) relating to your working experience
• Swiss nationals or residents: copy of your „Schriftenempfangsschein/ Niederlassungsausweis“
• Foreigners: copy of your residence permit* and copy of your birth certificate

B) Graduates of EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, a Swiss university or a Swiss University of Applied Sciences

• Officially verified copies of the certificates from your university with diploma (Diplomprüfungszeugnis, Diplomurkunde)
• 2 photos (1x application form / 1x student card)
• Curriculum vitae
• Reference(s) relating to your working experience
• „Exmatrikulationsbestätigung“ (Certificate of ex-matriculation) from
• your university indicating your student number Swiss nationals or residents: copy of your „Schriftenempfangsschein/ Niederlassungsausweis“
• Foreigners: copy of your residence permit* and copy of your birth certificate

C) Graduates of a foreign university

• Copies of previous diplomas/certificates (B.Sc. / BA or M.Sc. / MA). If your documents are not in German, French, Italian or English, please enclose translations into English and attach copies to the certificates in the original language.
• Official transcripts or officially verified copies of all the courses attended during B.Sc. / BA and M.Sc. / MA studies indicating the hours per week or semester and showing the final grades. If your documents are not in German, French, Italian or English, please enclose translations into English and attach copies to the certificates in the original language.
• 4x recent passport photos in color, with white background, size 3.5cm x 4.5cm (1x registration form / 1x student card / 2x visa application)
• Curriculum vitae in English or German
• Introduction and agreement letter of the company for which the applicant is working, in English, and both stamped and signed by the responsible person.
• Reference(s) relating to your working history and experience

Documents required for the Schengen/Swiss visa application for Chinese passport holders:

Berne University of Applied Sciences is organizing a group visa application and therefore needs to collect all the documents hereunder from all the students.

The following documents are the responsibility of the applicant:

• 1x visa application form, duly filled in, dated and signed. The form (SchengenSwissVisaApplicationForm.pdf) can be downloaded at the homepages of the Swiss representations in China (see below) or below this text, where some items are prefilled. You will apply for a two-entry, short-term visa (max. 90 days of stay total). The purpose of your trip to be filled out under ‘others’ is ‘Attendance of MAS studies at Bern University of Applied Sciences’.
• 1x official, own personal passport
• 1x photocopies of the first 6 pages and all further visa and stamps in the passport
• Official Hukou document (residence permit), and copies from the pages that contain information, as well as a translation into English
• 1x original and 1x copies from proof of sufficient funds (ca. RMB 100'000),e.g. official bank certificate/ booklet or bank statement of at least three months back

The following documents will be provided by the university (BUAS), once the applicant has fulfilled his obligations

• Travel insurance, coverage at least 30,000 Euro
• Signed confirmation by the University (BUAS) of your full tuition payment
• Letter of acceptance/invitation of the chosen school (Factsheet of the study program)

Link to Swiss Embassy in Beijing:

http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/asia/vchn/embbei.html

Link to Swiss Consulate General of Shanghai: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/asia/vchn/cncgsh.html

Link to Swiss Consulate General Guangzhou:

http://www.dfae.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/asia/vchn/cncggh.html

Please inform us of any changes in name, address or civil status.

 * If you have not yet received your residence permit, please send us a copy upon receipt of your permit.

Incomplete applications will not be considered

For any questions and inquiries, please write to