PhD in Architecture

Ph.D. in Architecture

Research overview

The School of Architecture’s researchers work in a wide range of projects in the areas of architecture, interior design, urban design, and conservation. Our research is undertaken in collaboration with academic, charitable, community and commercial groups outside the University and many of our full-time academics have practiced as architects and designers. This ensures that our research is up-to-date and reflects the current and future needs of the industry and the wider built environment sector.

Research areas

The Portsmouth School of Architecture welcomes applications from candidates wishing to pursue a higher degree by research. We can provide supervision across a range of areas, including Sustainable Architecture, Architecture and Urban Design, Regeneration, Architectural History and Theory, Interior Design Practice, Architecture, and Design Pedagogy.

Research groups

• Sustainable Urban and Architectural design, Low Carbon initiatives and Materials
• Design and Practice
• Theory, history, and context
• Embodied Landscapes and Technologies
• Cluster for Sustainable Cities

Funded Ph.D. Opportunities

• Parametric Urbanism and Climate Sensitive Design: An Innovative Approach to Urban Sustainability (application deadline 11th February 2018)
• Exploring the Benefits of Soil-less Urban Agriculture (application deadline 11th February 2018)
• Brutalist but Green: investigating innovative technologies to reconcile aesthetics with energy performance in 20th-century concrete architecture (application deadline 11th February 2018)
• Regeneration of Former Coastal Defence Sites in the South East of England: developing a community-focused assessment framework for military heritage (application deadline 11th February 2018)

Graduate School

Our dedicated Graduate School is the first port of call for information for all postgraduate research students and supervisors. We support, administer and coordinate training for the MPhil, Ph.D. and Professional Doctorate programmes.

As a research degree student at the University of Portsmouth, you will have access to the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers broad-based generic skills training with over 150 workshops on a wide range of topics including research design, doctoral process, and career development. These popular and highly rated workshops are delivered by our expert tutors from across the University and support our students at all stages of their research degree.

Find a supervisor

Please contact us to discuss your research ideas in more detail and to ensure that we have the supervisory expertise available to support your intended research area. We can then put you in touch with a potential supervisor.

Entry requirements

A good first degree from an internationally recognized university (depending upon the chosen course, minimum second class or equivalent) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Exceptionally, equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will be considered.

For students whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0 is required.

Start dates: October and February.