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The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
MDesFull-time, Part-time1 - 3 yearSeptemberHKD 240120 totalHKD 240120 total

About Transitional Environments Design, MDes - at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

The Master of Design (Transitional Environments Design) (TED) is a specialism developed in response to the unprecedented rural and urban changes that have occurred during the last few decades in Hong Kong and Mainland China. TED aims to develop students’ intellectual and practical mastery of the analysis and design of diverse rural and urban environments in the region, with broader implications for global contexts. The approach of this specialism is based on an understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics of the regional context, transformed into new design strategies and design interventions.

TED focuses on the contemporary Hong Kong/Chinese rural and urban experience in the context of the Greater Bay Area. It offers a unique postgraduate education in rural and urban space design. In line with the School’s critical approach to environmental and ecological design, this tailor-made specialism regards design as a holistic and systemic perspective on ‘wicked’ and entangled global and local problems, following the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.

Learn more about Transitional Environments Design, MDes - at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

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Notes about fees for this course

The programme tuition fees (1 year, 3 trimesters) for local and non-local students for the academic year 2024-2025 are HK$223,200.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in spatial design, architecture, landscape design, or urban and rural design, or a related discipline is required. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree equivalent in a related discipline, e.g. environmental studies, ecology, biology, urban studies, or an interdisciplinary field, e.g. ecological economics, environmental sociology, environmental management and technology, will also be considered.

If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to provide one of the following proficiency test results (taken within 2 years) for fulfil the minimum English language requirement for admission purpose:

  • A score of 80 or above in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based test; or
  • An Overall Band score of 6.0 or above in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module.

Student reviews of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

Find out what students say about The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

Linyi Liu - Intelligent Systems Design (2023)

As an ISD student, my journey has been filled with passion and exploration. I have always been curious about how to organically combine design and STEM. After experiencing ISD, I firmly believe it holds the key to this question, leading to a transformative shift in my perspective.

ISD opens up boundless possibilities in systemic design innovations. I not only acquired cutting-edge theory of intelligent technologies but also had opportunities to get hands-on with robotic arms, turning my ideas into tangible creations. The most significant transformation came when facing "wicked" real-world challenges. Through ISD's teachings, I honed my ability to approach these challenges from a systemic innovation perspective. This newfound confidence enables me to analyse problems holistically and identify fundamental solutions.

Additionally, ISD provided invaluable opportunities for collaboration with industry partners, from automotive companies to financial institutions. Working with them gave me practical skills and deepened my understanding of the transformative potential of intelligent systems in various sectors.

In conclusion, my ISD experience has been enriching. I wholeheartedly recommend ISD to aspiring students seeking to explore the unknown and change the future world. Its interdisciplinary approach, perspective transformation, and industry collaborations make it a cherished, authentic journey of professional growth.

Xinyu Wang - Innovative Business Design (2023)

The IBD programme incubates students' interdisciplinary understanding of principles in design, business and technology. Students will develop their ability to explore opportunities in businesses and industries with an emphasis on using design as a tool to facilitate whatever challenges that may arise. The focus of the curriculum leans to promote holistic comprehension of the project development process instead of having students merely work on a design, denoting that we care very much about the why behind a design, what opportunities it will bring, and how it addresses issues/ problems.

Our fellow students are excellent professionals from different design and educational backgrounds prior to the entrance to IBD. Working closely with one another certainly strengthens our field of expertise and expands our knowledge and vision through cross-disciplinary team collaboration.

Industry-sponsored project opportunities as a privilege are guaranteed and allow students to foster their professionalism from a practical perspective rather than as a student.

Lastly, I strongly recommend you join this programme if you want to progress into different or more advanced roles in your career or intend to create your own business.

Other courses at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

There are 4 other courses listed from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design). A selection of these are displayed below:

Innovative Business Design MDes

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

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Intelligent Systems Design MDes

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

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Smart Service Design MDes

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

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Transitional Environments Design MDes

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

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View all 4 courses at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

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