Advice on Hong Kong University (HKU) Masters of Urban Planning

[blue_dragon]

Hey Guys,

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of the MUP programme offered at HKU? Any good or bad information you can share? I know it is certified by the British planning board, which is great

I'm considering applying for the Fall 2009 semester. I recently received an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies with a GPA of 3.60, will that be enough?

Also, while I've heard HKU is an English-speaking University, I am a little worried about facing a language barrier with my classmates & getting around .. will that be an issue?

Any help would be appreciated!

[anh]

i don't specifically know about the MUP program but i'm leaving to study at HKU for the fall in about a week. from what i've heard, it can be a little hard to make friends with your classmates amongst the undergrads (who don't comfortably converse in english amongst each other), but because you'll be a grad student, i'm sure by that time in many of your colleague's careers they will have gotten more comfortable with english.

out of curiosity, why are you thinking about hku, as opposed to a british university (since you brought up certification)? are you interested in practicing in that area of the world after?

[blue_dragon]

out of curiosity, why are you thinking about hku, as opposed to a british university (since you brought up certification)? are you interested in practicing in that area of the world after?

Well, I am Canadian so the planning body here accepts the British credentials as equivalent and I can get accredited. HKU sounds appealing since it's much cheaper than studying in the USA and well, I've lived in North America my whole life so 2 years abroad sounds like it'd be an adventure

What will you be studying there?

[planr]

HKU is one of the best schools in Asia and their planning school probably is THE best in Asia. I know they are very strong in Urban Design. I have two friends who have been through the MUP program, one is doing a PhD here in the US and the other is joining the private sector. I also I have a friend from MIT who works with faculty at HKU from time to time.

If you have specific questions, post them up and I will forward them on for you. I may be able to put them in touch with you as well, if they are willing.

[anh]

i'm studying english lit. mainly (my undergrad major), but i'm going to take some geography (it seems like this is where the urban planning-type classes are housed for undergrads) and fine arts classes too.

HKU is definitely very cheap compared to schools here... and i hear hong kong itself is really cheap too for the most part (though rent prices are through the roof, so you'll probably need to stay in university housing throughout your time there).

have you also looked at the LSE? i think their program may only be a year long, and london is great if you can afford it--it might even come to the same amount of $$ to study there for a year as opposed to 2 years somewhere else.

also... one thing i'd ask around about is what the curriculum focuses on. hong kong is super dense and their municipal system is probably different from ours, so if most of their site studies are about the island itself then you may not be getting enough valuable instruction about how to deal with north american planning problems. that's the main thing i'd be concerned about, but then again many people say you learn the most useful skills on the job itself.

[blue_dragon]

have you also looked at the LSE? i think their program may only be a year long, and london is great if you can afford it--it might even come to the same amount of $$ to study there for a year as opposed to 2 years somewhere else.

also... one thing i'd ask around about is what the curriculum focuses on. hong kong is super dense and their municipal system is probably different from ours, so if most of their site studies are about the island itself then you may not be getting enough valuable instruction about how to deal with north american planning problems. that's the main thing i'd be concerned about, but then again many people say you learn the most useful skills on the job itself.

I'll look into the LSE programme, however from what I've read, one-year Masters degrees do not provide students with enough learning opportunities and experience.

You raise a good point regarding HKU's planning curriculum, I would be interested in learning more details about it. While I think it's good to learn a different approach to planning, global differences should be taught as well, and not only focus on Hong Kong's "dense" planning situation.

[Frozenhen]

I'll look into the LSE programme, however from what I've read, one-year Masters degrees do not provide students with enough learning opportunities and experience.

You raise a good point regarding HKU's planning curriculum, I would be interested in learning more details about it. While I think it's good to learn a different approach to planning, global differences should be taught as well, and not only focus on Hong Kong's "dense" planning situation.

So what did you end up doing?

[panayotaki]

I'm also wondering what you ended up doing....

Anyone else have any experience with, or thoughts about HKU?

Peter

[neige]

Hi,

I am French. I have been working in an urban planning firm specialised in urban and municipal development mostly in developing and emerging countries (Africa and China) for more than 4 years. I am not precisely working in urban planning and design myself. I decided to reorient and submitted my application to the University of Hong Kong (but also to universities in UK). It turns out that they accepted me (not officially yet), very little time is left and I really do not know if I should go. The Urban Design programme is not accredited.
I would be interested in any feedback on the University of Hong Kong in general, and more particularly on the MUD.
Does anyone have some feedback on it?

[neige]

Planr,

though your post is very old now, I would be very interested in getting in touch with one of your friends. Are you from the US and practicing in the US too?

HKU is one of the best schools in Asia and their planning school probably is THE best in Asia. I know they are very strong in Urban Design. I have two friends who have been through the MUP program, one is doing a PhD here in the US and the other is joining the private sector. I also I have a friend from MIT who works with faculty at HKU from time to time.

If you have specific questions, post them up and I will forward them on for you. I may be able to put them in touch with you as well, if they are willing.

[kwanniee]

Hi, I'll be studying at HKU this year for their Transportation policy and planning program. Unfortunately, HKU didn't get my final transcript from my university in time to "directly admit" me to their university until last week. Hence, there is very little chance I can acquire on-campus housing. I'll be looking to find a comparable place to rent off-campus once I arrive. So if anyone is looking for a roomie or "flat mate," please let me know! Thanks!

[aigach]

Hey guys!
i will attend the MUP program in HKU this fall~Maybe we will meet very soon~~