Architecture, Design and the Built Environment Studentships
The School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment stand halfway between science and philosophy; between tradition and disruption: we embrace theoretical rigour, celebrating design heritage, inviting innovation in research.
We are a nationally renowned stage for talent in making and design, with a worldwide reputation for excellence in teaching and research, one of our biggest strengths is our global network of trusted industry partners. These relationships enable vital links for postgraduate research projects, and we are home to a diverse and thriving research community.
We value the art, science and business of making and design whilst simultaneously investing that knowledge in smart cities, energy and sustainability projects, and huge global partnerships. As a research community, we work to support our researchers to achieve their potential whilst enabling them to fully engage in their broader research goals.
As a researcher, you'll be part of a truly innovative and interdisciplinary research culture.
NTU Fully-funded PhD Studentship Scheme 2023
When making an application for a studentship, you will need to demonstrate how your proposal aligns with our research strengths, so ensure you are familiar with our research centres and research themes.
Our research centres
Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Global Heritage
Focusing on the investigation of human aspects of architecture, urban heritage, and the built environment within the ever-changing urban and social structures of contemporary cities.
Centre of the Built Environment
Covering everything from residential and commercial real estate economics, finance and investment, planning and development, to engineering solutions for the built environment, sustainability and climate change.
Product Innovation Centre
An internationally leading, multidisciplinary centre offering innovative research and technology solutions addressing global challenges, creating an impact to industry, people’s lifestyles and society.
Our research themes
Many architectural and cultural heritage sites throughout the world are threatened by neglect, climate change, rampant commercialisation, over-exploitation by tourism, and significant disinvestment on essential maintenance. Innovative management solutions are required to ensure the sustainable preservation of the heritage and maximise the benefit to local communities. We are interested in research that focuses on the investigation of human aspects of architecture, spatial practices, urban heritage, material culture and the built environment. Research scopes may include architectural history and theory, design; architectural & cultural heritage; identity, place and memory, modernity and regionalism; smart and virtual heritage technologies; landscape, urbanism and settlements; sustainable heritage management.
More than 36% of carbon emission and 40% of energy consumption are associated with buildings. A sustainable built environment is crucial to achieving the carbon neutral future and improving health and wellbeing for the whole population. We are interested in research that explores sustainability in the context of the built environment and implementation of circular economy principles. Research topics may include, but are not limited to, sustainable construction; building energy systems; smart buildings; environmental citizenship; and decarbonation of existing buildings.
Public infrastructure, including railways, roads, bridges, energy grids, utility and water systems, is essential to the efficiency of economy and people’s quality of lives. Effective management of infrastructure asset faces many challenges, such as ageing infrastructure and legacy information systems; difficulties of monitoring the performance of large volume of asset; and financial constraints on maintenance investment. The advances of digital technology, such as 3D scanning, big data, machine learning and computer vision techniques, provide opportunities to tackle some of the main challenges of Infrastructure asset management. We are interested in research that harnesses the emerging digital technologies to provide solutions for monitoring performance of infrastructure assets and optimising their maintenance.
Ready to apply?
The application deadline is 12 noon (GMT) on Thursday 12 January 2023.
Please visit our how to apply page for guidance and to make an application.