
PhD Architecture
Mode: Full-time; Part-time
Overview
Research centres
Research in the area of architecture is carried out by specialist centres. The majority of academic staff belong to one or more of these and research students can expect to join a small team working on particular problems.
Research areas and themes where we are able to offer supervision include:
- City depiction, design, and description
- Architectural pedagogy, and design studio culture
- Digital architecture, fabrication, and design research
- Rethinking sustainable practice: adaptation, conservation, and architecture
- Visualisation; augmented reality; 3D modelling; integrated project delivery; virtualisation
- Architectural design as cultural product
- The city as consumer
- Structure as space: architecture, geometry, technology
A member of staff, who will be an expert in the chosen field, is directly responsible for guiding and supporting your research programme. As a research student you'll become part of our thriving academic community.
A PhD by definition, is an original contribution to knowledge; the ethos of originality and innovation is fundamental to our work in architecture. A research degree is of course different from a taught course, and research students are expected to self-direct their learning with support from their supervisory team.
We're ranked 2nd amongst London Modern Competitors for Research Intensity in Architecture (Complete University Guide 2021).
Read more about research in the School of the Built Environment and Architecture.
Mode | Duration | Start date | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Mode Full-time |
Duration 3 years |
Start Date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Location |
Mode Part-time |
Duration 5 years |
Start Date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Location |
Mode distance learning |
Duration 6 years |
Start Date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Location |
Employability
Research skills development
All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills, in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in the range of research methodologies is available through the frequent research seminars held on campus.
When necessary, the research student can audit modules in relevant Masters courses available within the School and, in particular, modules on research methodology. In some cases, research students are encouraged to follow other courses available within the University (or externally) aimed at improving their general expertise in their chosen areas.
In addition, they may be encouraged to follow language courses aimed at improving their oral and written skills - both essential in their future careers as academics, writers, critics, and progressive professional practitioners.
Transferable skills
A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking and intellectual synthesis, and the ability to turn criticism of others’ work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, developing a robust new thesis, or a new methodology for considering architectural paradigms can be highly rewarding.
Attending conferences
Research students are often sponsored to attend national and international conferences, where they may both meet leading researchers in their fields and present their own research findings as work in progress. The work of all research students in relation to agreed outcomes is formally monitored by the University's Research Degree Committee.
Employability Service
We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
Teaching and learning
Entry requirements
Applicants for a Research Degree programme at LSBU are usually expected to have a good honours degree (2:2 and above) and a relevant postgraduate qualification, preferably a merit at Master's level. Please also supply two academic references as part of your application. You will also be required to show proof of all of your qualifications. If English is not your first language you will be required to prove your competency in English, showing an IELTS score of at least 7.0 at postgraduate level. You will be invited to an interview with your potential supervisor, in person or by telephone, prior to an offer being made.
How to apply
Home/EU applicants
Mode | Duration | Start date | Application code | Application method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mode Full-time |
Duration 3 years |
Start date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Application code 9001 |
Application method |
Mode Part-time |
Duration 5 years |
Start date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Application code 9022 |
Application method |
Mode distance learning |
Duration 6 years |
Start date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Application code 9054 |
Application method |
Home/EU postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system.
Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.
International applicants should use our international application system. Full details can be found on our How to apply section for international students.
See our admissions policy (PDF File 544 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 127 KB).
Considering your application
Your application will be circulated to a number of potential supervisors who will look at your academic qualifications, experience and the research proposal to decide whether your research interest is something that could be supervised at LSBU.
There will also be an interview either by telephone or at the University. If you are successful you will be offered a place on a course and informed of the next enrolment date. The whole process normally takes between six to eight weeks, from receipt of your application to a decision being made about your application at the School.
Research proposal
When applying, please attach an outline of your research proposal (maximum 2,000 words).
For further information on what to include in your research proposal, download our guidance on writing a PhD proposal (PDF File 63 KB).
Prepare to start
We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.
Enrolment
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.
Fees and funding
Fees are shown for new entrants to courses, for each individual year of a course, together with the total fee for all the years of a course. Continuing LSBU students should refer to the Finance section of our student portal, MyLSBU. Queries regarding fees should be directed to the Fees and Bursaries Team on: +44 (0)20 7815 6181.
Full-time
Part-time
Year 1 FT Southwark SEPT FULL YEAR
UK/EU fee: £4390 | International fee: £14470 |
AOS/LSBU code: 9001 | Session code: 1FS00 |
Total course fee: |
UK/EU £14205 |
International £44445 |
Year 1 PT Southwark SEPT FULL YEAR
UK/EU fee: £2634 | International fee: £8682 |
AOS/LSBU code: 9022 | Session code: 1PS00 |
Total course fee: |
UK/EU £14205 |
International £44445 |
Year 1 PTDL Southwark SEPT FULL YEAR
UK/EU fee: £4390 | International fee: £4390 |
AOS/LSBU code: 9054 | Session code: 1DS00 |
Total course fee: |
UK/EU £22985 |
International £22985 |
The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.
At the London Doctoral Academy we are committed to supporting and developing professional researchers who are driven to make a difference. We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations - and when they're available we'll publish notices on the London Doctoral Academy site.
Contact information
Course Enquiries - UK
Tel: 020 7815 7815
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