Research degrees in Architecture, Design and the Built Environment PhD

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Level of study:
PhD
Entry Requirements:
More information
Start date:
October and January
Duration:
4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
Attendance:
Full-time, Part-time
Course delivery:
On-campus (City Campus)

Researchers using a virtual reality headset

About this course

Our PhD courses offer the opportunity to carry out a significant body of research in a discipline related to the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. As part of the application process, you'll be asked to submit a research proposal, and we'll work to match your themes, objectives and scope to a member of our broad academic team.

You are encouraged to get in touch with potential Supervisors to discuss your area of interest, or the Director of Doctoral Programmes, Dr Ana Souto, to put you in touch with expert Supervisors in the discipline you may want to pursue. You'll join a thriving community of postgraduate researchers, based at our City Campus.

Who is this course designed for?

Our PhD routes are suitable for professionals working in a related industry; we offer a part-time as well as the full-time study route, enabling you to fit study around employment. The expected length of your studies will extend according to how much time you commit to your research. The maximum registration period for full time candidates is four years; for part time candidates is eight years.

The PhD routes are also suitable for high-achieving honours (undergraduate) graduates, enabling those who complete an undergraduate qualification to pursue a route into postgraduate research. This opens up opportunities for significant career progression, and is a route into employment in academia.

Why study this course?

Our flexible study options support part-time learners, who wish to balance employment with further study. Significant academic support and guidance is in place to help students returning to study after extended periods in employment, and students who are pursuing high-level study for the first time.
Benefit from our industry-standard facilities in our Maudslay building. You’ll be allocated desk space, and have hands-on access to our workshops and laboratories, supported by our team of expert technicians
You'll have academic support staff to help focus your research and prepare for key milestones throughout your studies. You'll have regular meetings and be allocated time with your lead supervisor and a small team of co-supervisors enabling you to benefit from their academic expertise, active research, links to industry and significant experience working in practice.
Take part in a series of professional researcher training seminars through our Doctoral Education, Training and Development (DETD). programme comprises a range of interactive workshops, seminars and events designed to support, educate and guide PGRs through their doctoral journey from start to finish. The DETD programme supplements the specialised education and training offered within your School. It is offered in collaboration with academic colleagues as well as colleagues from the Library, Researcher Development, Employability and NTU Student Support Services. All PGRs are strongly encouraged to attend as many of these events as possible as part of their overall and ongoing development as researchers and doctoral candidates.
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 86% of NTU’s research impact was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent. The overall quality of each Unit of Assessment NTU submitted to REF in 2021 also saw an improvement from the previous REF in 2014.
Benefit from peer-to-peer learning by joining a community of postgraduate researchers, based at our City Campus. You'll share desk space and facilities, enabling cross-discipline working and sharing of research. Our research students benefit from becoming course representatives, and a structured series of research seminars further consolidates the course community.

Aims of postgraduate research degrees

The aim of a postgraduate research degree is to investigate and create new ideas and designs, which contribute to new perceptions, products, processes and the development of new systems and solutions. You'll contribute to advancing our understanding of the built environment, and improving the quality of products, processes and systems that exist within that environment.

Areas of research expertise in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment

Explore our range of Research Centres to understand the areas of research we can offer supervision in*:

*Please be aware that once you submit your research proposal, we will work to match your objectives and research themes to a member of our academic team who's specialisms are broadly aligned to your research area. If we're unable to identify a suitable lead supervisor, we may advise that we are unable to offer you a position as a PhD student at NTU.

Module information

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

Luke Siena - PhD student profile

“Throughout my PhD and post my PhD, I was fortunate to be able to publish and present my research in a variety of forums ranging from journals, conferences, special interest groups etc. The research produced during my PhD was rated 4*.”
Read Luke's profile

There are several milestones that you must fulfil as part of a PhD degree course. Your progression through the course depends on your success at each stage, and how long you prepare to meet the assessment criteria for each milestone.

Preparing your research proposal

You'll spend the first 6 months (full-time) - 1 year (part-time) of your PhD preparing your research proposal. This is where you outline the scope of your research project and identify how you propose to contribute new knowledge and ideas to the built environment. During this time, you'll read widely and become aware of existing research in your field of interest, enabling you to identify areas where you contribution and progress can be made.

Annual monitoring

NTU, that is scheduled each year of your degree. Annual monitoring is intended to be a time where you and your supervisory team can review your progress so far, reflect on how you have developed, and discuss how you can continue to get the most from your research over the coming year. As part of your annual monitoring, you will be required to submit a report (1000-2000) words that demonstrates your progress over the previous 12 months, along with evidence of your development in the form of draft publications, notable training, and conference attendance.

The final stages

In the final year of your doctoral degree, aka Thesis Pending Year, you will be drawing together your research findings and 'writing up' your thesis. Your supervisory team will help to guide you through these final stages, including organising your Viva Voce exam (sometimes referred to as your 'defence') and ensuring your thesis is ready for final submission by your deadline.

Viva voce examination

Once you've fully completed your body of research, you'll work towards your final milestone - the viva voce examination.

The exam takes the format of a panel meeting, whereby a team of assessors will choose areas of your research to ask further, more detailed questions about. You'll be expected to talk widely and with authority on the research you've undertaken, further evidencing your expertise in the field. The viva voce is the last step in your PhD before graduation. There are several outcomes, which include a straight pass, or advised corrections - with varying degrees of amends to be made. If you are required to make corrections, you could be working on your research piece for up to another twelve months, before re-taking the viva voce exam. A pass at this stage will result in graduation and a PhD award.

Entry requirements

UK students

You should normally hold a first or upper second class honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification. We also accept a lower second class honours degree with a Masters degree at Merit level from a UK university or an equivalent qualification.

Additional requirements for UK students

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International students

English language requirements: if English isn't your first language, you will need an overall IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 with minimum sub-scores of 6.0 in all component sections (writing, reading, listening and speaking). Find out more about the English language requirements for undertaking research at NTU.

Additional requirements for international students

There are no additional requirements for this course.

English language requirements

View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.

If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.

Fees and funding

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, phone the Student Money Team on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

Cost of living in Nottingham

Our student benefits and free services

Money advice for international students

Careers and employability

Your career development

All our research degrees incorporate a programme of supporting studies designed to develop knowledge and skills of all aspects of the research process, including the funding and dissemination of research. This will ensure that you have the necessary expertise to successfully complete your doctoral programme.

Participation in academic conferences, seminars and external networks will cultivate contacts, skills and knowledge essential for successful research practice. These abilities are also transferable to a wide range of other careers. Researchers are also invited to take part in our own Research Conferences giving you the opportunity to present your work and discuss with other researchers at NTU.

Support with your career development

As a postgraduate research candidate at NTU, you'll benefit from:

The opportunity to apply for a bursary to support you for three years, helping you to meet costs for research activities and conferences.
Access to a free researcher development programme through our internal Organisational Development department.

Pursuing a career in academia

There are opportunities for research students to prepare for an academic career by teaching undergraduate students or supervising laboratory work. Our Organisational Development team offer an Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education training programme, providing the knowledge and skills needed to pursue academic teaching.

Re:search Re:imagined

To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From conservation management to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society. Find out more about our research.

Employability Promise

Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).
Assessed work-like experience

We’ve embedded at least eight weeks of assessed work-like experience into all of our courses. This gives you the opportunity to apply your learning in real-world scenarios, build your confidence, and develop the experience employers are looking for.
NTU Enterprise

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Campus and facilities

Facilities for research students

As a research student at NTU, you'll benefit from:

An allocated desk, a PC (with on-site IT support);
Access to a printer specifically for use by research students;
Provision of free stationary to meet your requirements.

We’re committed to helping you expand and refine your research development with some truly great tools, software, equipment and workspaces. Our facilities include everything from studio space to materials workshops, machinery, CAD suites and quiet spaces to work in.

Dedicated resource centre

Students in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment have access to a dedicated resource centre. This centre, based in the Maudslay building, enables students to undertake private study in a facility equipped with computers, large format plotters and desk space, together with the latest, and archived, journals and publications.

This resource centre is open from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday.

Alongside our resource centre, you will be allocated desk space alongside other research students studying related disciplines.

IT resources

Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City Campus, with PCs providing access to Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage, and high-speed online printing services (with a free printing allowance for each student). Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.

Books and library resources

In Boots Library you will have access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within the Built Environment. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our electronic resources, journals and books.

You'll also benefit from a liaison librarian, who has specialist subject knowledge. They can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources and also support on things such as Harvard referencing and research skills.

Applying

UK students

How to apply

Applications for a research course are made through the NTU Doctoral School.

For a step-by-step about how apply, visit our Doctoral School application page.

Entry requirements

An applicant for admission to read for a PhD should normally hold a first or upper-second-class honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent qualification; or
A lower second-class honours degree with a Masters degree at Merit level of a UK university or an equivalent qualification.

Application process

To apply for a PhD please submit a research proposal (between 1,000 and a maximum of 2,000 words) which addresses the following points:

provisional title
the topic or area to be investigated (the subject or field that you are going to investigate)
the problem or hypothesis to be tested (the research questions or problem you want to address, the research objectives)
the relationship of the proposed research to the published literature and to current research in the field (how your project relates to other work)
an indication of the contribution to knowledge that the thesis is anticipated to make (what you hope to find out)
the methods and techniques to be used in the research (how you propose to go about the research)
a provisional timetable for the project, indicating anticipated activities
details of your previous work in the proposed field, or relationship to prior experience or study
bibliography of sources already consulted or identified as of relevance to your proposal.

As you're applying for a Research degree, you may also like to have a look around our Research Centres page. This may help you to spot academic staff, research areas or projects that interest you.

Explore the full details of the application process.

Apply now

International students

How to apply

Applications for a research course are made through the NTU Doctoral School.

For a step-by-step about how apply, please visit our Doctoral School application page

Entry requirements

An applicant for admission to read for a PhD should normally hold a first or upper-second-class honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent qualification; or
An equivalent qualification, or a lower second class honours degree with a Masters degree at Merit level of a UK university, or an equivalent qualification.
If you are an international applicant, you will require an English language qualification. You will need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with minimum sub-scores of 6.0 in all component sections (writing, reading, listening and speaking). For a list of our language requirements please visit our English language page. If you need to do a pre-sessional English language course to meet the English requirements please visit our pre-sessional English course page.
Applicants who have taken a higher degree at a UK university are normally exempt from the English language requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English language proficiency requirement will normally be asked to complete an English Language course.
For advice on applying for a visa please visit our visa information page.

Further information about entry criteria for doctoral study can be found in the Quality Handbook Section 11 - Research Degrees.

Application process

To apply for a PhD please submit a research proposal (between 1,000 and a maximum of 2,000 words) which addresses the following points:

provisional title
the topic or area to be investigated (the subject or field that you are going to investigate)
the problem or hypothesis to be tested (the research questions or problem you want to address, the research objectives)
the relationship of the proposed research to the published literature and to current research in the field (how your project relates to other work)
an indication of the contribution to knowledge that the thesis is anticipated to make (what you hope to find out)
the methods and techniques to be used in the research (how you propose to go about the research)
a provisional timetable for the project, indicating anticipated activities
details of your previous work in the proposed field, or relationship to prior experience or study
bibliography of sources already consulted or identified as of relevance to your proposal.

As you're applying for a Research degree, you may also like to have a look around our Research Centres page. This may help you to spot academic staff, research areas or projects that interest you.

Explore the full details of the application process.

Please read our application guidance before you start your application.

We advise you to prepare and apply as early as you can as Student visa processing time can vary.

We'll send you important emails throughout the application process. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam mail folder.

Apply now