Bachelor of Architecture

ARCHITECTURE

The Bachelor of Architecture program in the Faculty of Architecture and Planning at King Abdulaziz University, established in 1976, aims for an integrative approach that merges critical inquiry with creative problem-solving. The curriculum positions architecture as a multidisciplinary discipline that addresses fundamental human needs for shelter and spatial organization, while also inspiring, promoting, and responding to requirements for efficiency, sustainability, and technological advancement. The program is committed to preparing graduates to confront environmental and societal challenges in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. To obtain the Bachelor of Architecture degree, students must complete 155 credit hours of coursework and complete two 8-week summer internships. The curriculum comprises University Requirements, Faculty Requirements, and Departmental Compulsory, Elective, and Free Courses. Graduates are equipped for a wide range of career opportunities both within Saudi Arabia and internationally. These include positions in the private sector, such as architectural, engineering, and contracting firms. Also, alumni can have opportunities in the semi-public sector, including development authorities and national housing programs, as well as in the public sector, such as ministries, royal commissions, and municipalities. Additionally, many alumni pursue academic and research careers or continue their studies in specialized fields of architecture.

Bachelor of Geomatics

The Bachelor of Geomatics program addresses a specialized labor market niche, enabling graduates to pursue careers in both public and private sectors involved in data collection and processing, satellite positioning, mapping, and location-based services. This demand is driven by the increasing need for rapid, accurate, and comprehensive surveying and geospatial information. To meet workforce development requirements, the Geomatics program was established with a strong focus on practical skills and industry relevance. Guided by King Abdulaziz University and the College’s commitment to student-centered learning, community engagement, and organizational transformation, the program has developed partnerships with the land surveying community and industry. It has also continuously updated its curriculum through the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment funded by grants and corporate sponsorships, and by introducing new geomatics degrees. These efforts broaden students’ career opportunities and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration within the Faculty of Environmental Design. Notably, the program was the first—and remains the only—Geomatics program established in Saudi Arabia.

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) program at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is the first academic program in Landscape Architecture in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East established in 1976 (1396 AH). The BLA program is accredited (with condition) by the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment. The BLA is a four-year program consisting of a total of 155 credit hours. The curriculum focuses on enhancing students' practical skills and knowledge of the art and science of landscape architecture through discipline-specific courses and studios, electives, and general education courses required by the university. The foundation of the BLA curriculum is a series of eight intensive design studios. The selection of topics, sites, contexts, and landscape-scale of each design studio builds on the previous studio in an ever-increasing level of difficulty and consideration of details and ideas. In the first two years, the studios focus on the basic design principles, process, analysis, and details in Landscape Architecture. The third-year studios cover urban design and landscape planning topics—the finalyear studios are designated for the professional practice and graduation project.

Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning

URBAN PLANNING&REGIONAL

The program is designed to meet labor market needs fully and is subject to continuous updates and developments based on demand assessments. It focuses on equipping students with a high level of knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to design and implement planning projects at various levels. Graduates of the program have contributed to meeting the demand for job opportunities in municipalities, regional and rural municipalities, national government agencies, ministries and departments, private consulting firms, real estate development companies, and research and academic institutions. They have also contributed to developing and improving the efficiency of urban growth management, development monitoring, and improving living conditions in urban and rural communities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The program also aims to introduce students to the nature of human settlements, their social, economic, and physical aspects, and to address existing, emerging, and anticipated problems in light of planning theories, strategies, and techniques. The curriculum equips students with the necessary skills to implement spatial development plans at the local, regional, and national levels for both urban and rural communities, including how to address, rehabilitate, develop, and improve informal settlements and slum areas in cities. The Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning program was originally designed by a team of specialists from Harvard University as a six-year program requiring 182 credit hours for graduation. The program was initially divided into three years of core and three years of specialization. In 1999, the college transitioned to a new, enhanced program consisting of 165 credit hours, completed in five years, in response to labor market demands and graduate feedback. In the first semester of the 2014/2015 academic year, a new curriculum was adopted, reducing the required credit hours for graduation to 155. Under this new curriculum, students are admitted directly to their departments after successfully completing the university preparatory year, in accordance with national education policies and international standards. Starting in the current academic year (2016/2017), the program has been offered under an enhanced curriculum of 165 credit hours, and a bridging program to the Bachelor of Science degree, based on this new curriculum, was implemented in the second semester of the same year (2016/2017).

Master of Architecture Department

ARCHITECTURE

The Master of Architecture (M.Arch) Program at the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdulaziz University, is designed to graduate professional architects with advanced knowledge, innovation, and research skills that support national development trends and respond to community needs. The program adopts an integrative and research-oriented approach that combines critical inquiry, advanced design thinking, and technological innovation within the fields of architecture and urban design. The curriculum positions architecture as a multidisciplinary and research-driven profession that addresses contemporary challenges related to sustainability, energy efficiency, conservation of historic buildings, and socio-cultural development. Emphasis is placed on advanced architectural design, building technology, digital applications in architecture, and environmentally responsive solutions, aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The program aims to enrich students with cutting-edge knowledge, professional skills, and ethical values in architecture and urban design, while enhancing their research capabilities and innovative performance. Through studio-based learning, applied research, and community-oriented projects, students are trained to address local and regional architectural and urban issues and to promote sustainability and socio-cultural awareness within the built environment.

Master of Landscape Architecture

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) was established in 2020. The MLA is a two-year, research project-based program consisting of a total of 44 credit hours. The curriculum focuses on enhancing students' practical skills and knowledge of the art and science of landscape architecture through discipline-specific courses, studios, and elective courses. The foundation of the MLA curriculum is a series of three intensive design studios. The first studio covers the relationship between urban design and landscape architecture by studying and designing urban projects at the neighborhood level or city centers. The second studio is designed to encourage students to engage in research at different scales, types, and methodologies, both in natural and urban areas. The last studio introduces students to design methods and concepts with a focus on the participation of society and its demands on the urban environment at the city level. The studio format involves various teaching techniques, including lectures, demonstrations, field trips, readings, one-on-one instruction, and group discussions. The studio typically consists of a small group of students, providing an engaging and personalized environment for both students and faculty. The MLA curriculum also includes two courses in Landscape Architecture trends and Landscape Ecology, along with several elective courses designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge that will be integrated into the design studios to support the design process and solutions. Research is an important component of the MLA curriculum, and students are required to take two courses where they develop their final research project under the supervision of their instructors.

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

URBAN PLANNING&REGIONAL

The Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Urban and Regional Planning at King Abdulaziz University, offered by the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, is designed to equip students with the expertise needed to become leaders in the field of urban and regional planning. This graduate program emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of planning theories, principles, and best practices on both local and international levels. It aims to foster the development of sustainable human settlements and prosperous regions through rigorous research and applied planning projects. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers as assistant researchers, lecturers, city managers, and heads of planning sections in various professional sectors including universities, ministries, city councils, and development organizations.

PhD of Urban and Regional Planning

URBAN PLANNING&REGIONAL

The PhD Program in Urban and Regional Planning at the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdulaziz University, is an advanced academic and research-oriented program designed to prepare highly qualified scholars, researchers, and professionals capable of addressing contemporary urban, regional, and environmental challenges. The program emphasizes innovative research, sustainable urban development, strategic planning, and interdisciplinary approaches that contribute to improving the quality of the built environment and supporting national and regional development goals. Established within one of the leading architecture and planning colleges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Department of Urban and Regional Planning has a long-standing academic tradition dating back to 1976. The department was founded in response to the rapid urbanization and socioeconomic growth experienced by Saudi cities and has since played a significant role in educating planners and conducting impactful research in urban development, transportation, land use, housing, infrastructure, environmental management, and regional planning. URP Ph.D. Program Handbook 2024 3 The doctoral program aims to enhance students’ research capabilities and equip them with advanced analytical, methodological, and strategic planning skills. Through rigorous coursework and original dissertation research, students are encouraged to contribute innovative solutions to complex urban and regional issues while engaging with emerging technologies, spatial analysis tools, sustainability principles, and evidence-based planning practices. The program also supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by promoting sustainable cities, smart urban growth, environmental stewardship, and resilient communities. Graduates of the program are expected to assume leadership roles in academia, governmental institutions, research centers, and professional planning organizations at both national and international levels.