Bachelor of Architecture
About This Programme
A professional five-year architecture degree focused on the built environment of the Arabian Gulf region, combining design studios, building technology and history and theory. Launched in Fall 2024.
Course Highlights
- Studio degree with NASAD substantial equivalency
- Taught at Zayed University, ranked #588 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- American-style credit-hour degree taught in English
- UAE nationals are generally government-sponsored
What You'll Study
The B.Arch requires full-time, onsite attendance over 10 semesters, delivered in English at Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Courses run in 16-week semesters, generally 8:00am to 5:20pm Monday to Thursday, with Friday as an open studio day. The programme includes two 8-week internships (16 weeks total), taken in the summer between semesters 6 and 7 and between semesters 8 and 9.
Programme courses
Required credit hours: 169. Course list as printed in the Zayed University Catalog 2025-2026, pages 80-82.
- FYE140 Critical Analysis and Composition
- FYE145 Arabic Concepts for Native Speakers
- FYE146 Arabic Concepts for Non-Native Speakers
- ADA111 Design Foundation
- FYE120 Islamic Culture
- FYE155 Digital Humanities
- ADA121 Design Foundation II
- ADR321 Material Culture of the United Arab
- FYE150 Fundamentals of Innovation and
- MTH205 Mathematics for Architecture
- ADA112 Design Representations
- ADA122 Digital Representation and
- ARC211 Architectural Design
- ARC212 Architecture and Society
- ARC213 Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- ARC222 History of Architecture
- ARC223 Building Site and Components
- ARC311 Architectural Design III
- ARC312 Material and Methods of Construction
- ARC314 History of Architecture II
- ARC315 Desert Architecture
- ARC321 Architectural Design IV
- ARC323 Environmental Control Systems
- ARC324 Structure II - Design of Steel an
- ARC325 UAE Progressive Urbanization
- ARC411 Architectural Design
- ARC412 Environmental Control Systems II
- ARC413 History of Architecture and Theory
- ARC421 Architectural Design VI
- ARC422 History of Architecture and Urban
- ARC431 Architectural Design VII
- ARC433 Project Management
- ARC441 Architectural Studio VIII- Capstone
- ARC442 Professional Practice Seminar
- ARC490 Internship
- ARC491 Internship II
- AID387 Furniture Design
- AID477 Advanced Modeling, Lighting and
- ART221 Research Methods for Artists and Designers
- PHY310 Physics for Architecture
- AAH325 History of Design
- AAH420 Communities, Curatorial Practices
- AAH425 History of Graphic Design
- AAH426 History of Interior Design
- AAH430 Curatorial Practices
- AAH427 History of Animation
- AVA309 Digital Illustration
- AVA310 Drawing
- AVA316 Ceramics
- AVA319 Introduction to Jewelry Design
- AVA365 Digital Printmaking
- AGD314 Illustration and Visual Narrative
- ART397 Special Topics in Art and Design
- ART495 Independent Study
- ART497 Special Topics in Art and Design
- ARC221 Architectural Design II
- ARC313 Structure 1 - Fundamentals
Entry Requirements
UAE nationals admitted under the government scholarship scheme receive full tuition funding for up to five years. Accepted secondary qualifications and minimums: A-Levels 2 subjects at grade C or higher (excluding Arabic and Islamic Studies), IB Diploma 24 points, IB Certificate 21 points including 2 subjects related to the degree at grade 5 or higher, BTEC Level 3 Diploma 2 Merits. UAE Ministry of Education and American curricula have no minimum overall average, but subject requirements apply.
Careers
Graduates pursue careers in design studios, media, advertising, animation and the creative industries, or in freelance practice.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
The College of Arts and Creative Enterprises holds NASAD substantial equivalency; Zayed University holds MSCHE and CAA institutional accreditation.
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Architecture
Start Date
August (Fall intake)
Typical Offer
High-school graduation with the subject grades required for the major (for example 80% in Grade 12 Mathematics and English for quantitative majors).
Duration
5 years
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Art & Design
Campus
Abu Dhabi or Dubai
Course Type
Bachelor of Architecture
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 84,500/yr
Undergraduate applicants apply online (UAE nationals via the Ministry of Education portal; others via ZU e-services), submit their documents and pay the AED 250 application fee.