Study System & Academic Framework

The Credit Hour System

The Faculty of Fine Arts & Design adopts the Credit Hour System. A “Credit Hour” is the standard unit used to measure the student’s workload:

  1. Theoretical Lectures: 1 Credit Hour = 1 hour of lecture per week for a full semester.
  2. Practical/Studio Sessions: 1 Credit Hour = 2 hours of studio, lab, or workshop sessions per week.

Academic Calendar

The academic year is divided into:

  • Fall Semester: Starts September (15–17 weeks).
  • Spring Semester: Starts in February (15–17 weeks).
  • Summer Semester: An optional intensive semester (6–8 weeks) mainly for repeating courses or improving GPA.

Levels of Study

Students’ progress through levels based on the total number of credit hours successfully completed:

  • Level 1 (Foundation): 0 to < 32 credit hours.
  • Level 2 (Sophomore): 32 to < 64 credit hours.
  • Level 3 (Junior): 64 to < 96 credit hours.
  • Level 4 (Senior 1): 96 to < 128 credit hours.
  • Level 5 (Senior 2): 128 to 144 credit hours.

Specialization (Major Selection)

All students undergo a shared  Foundation Level (Level 1). Specialization (majoring in Interior Design, Graphics, etc.) officially begins at the start of  Level 2, based on the faculty’s coordination rules and student preferences.

Academic Load per Semester

Your maximum allowed hours depend on your Cumulative GPA (CGPA):

  • Distinction (CGPA ≥ 3.00): Up to 19 credit hours.
  • Good Standings (CGPA 2.00 – 3.00): Up to 16 credit hours.
  • Academic Warning (CGPA < 1.70): Restricted to 10 credit hours to help the student focus on raising their GPA.