Architecture (Practice-based) PhD
Loughborough University
Student rating
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( 4.5) View reviews

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Loughborough University

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Part Time

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Start date

JAN

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Duration

6 years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Loughborough University

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

JAN

Duration

6 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Loughborough University

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

JUL-25

Duration

6 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Loughborough University

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

APR-25

Duration

6 years

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Architecture
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Course info

One of four Royal Academy of Engineering designated Centres of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering is home to a thriving community of over 60 academic staff, 40 technical and clerical support staff and over 240 active researchers that include fellows, associates, assistants, engineers and doctoral students.Our practice-based Architecture PhD programme is tailored for practitioner architects wishing to explore an original research ...Read more

One of four Royal Academy of Engineering designated Centres of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering is home to a thriving community of over 60 academic staff, 40 technical and clerical support staff and over 240 active researchers that include fellows, associates, assistants, engineers and doctoral students.

Our practice-based Architecture PhD programme is tailored for practitioner architects wishing to explore an original research topic while remaining in practice. Unlike some practice-related PhD models, our programme does not involve the submission of an extended piece of self-reflective commentary by an architect on their previous built work and designs. Instead of this passive approach, we take an active one, which involves:

  • an architect creating new, research-led work while in practice
  • critical reflection and analysis of this in written and practical form
  • presentation and defence of this work via the ‘design critiques’ typical of architectural pedagogy and practice.

This approach reflects the close alignment of theory and practice in LU-ARC, Loughborough's new architecture division and also reflects changes in RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) expectations, whereby practices are encouraged to build upon their design intuitions with original research that facilitates evidence-based design approaches.

The PhD will take the format of a written thesis of 40,000 words, as well as a substantial practical component. The practical component might take the format of contributions to the completion of a building project, hand-drawn or computerised visualisations (plans, elevations, sections, axonometrics, etc), virtual spaces, traditional hand-made models, 3D printed models, structural and material prototypes, mock-ups and installations. It is expected that a semi-public exhibition and discussion of the work should take place towards the end of the period of study. The formal examination, however, will consist of analysis and interrogation of the practical and written components in line with the standard viva-voce regulations and practise, and this will be conducted jointly by an internal academic referee, as well as an appropriately qualified external practitioner.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
14/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
2nd
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
6th
What students say
LS
Lok Sze
06 Nov 24

Is really lovely to get more practical work, and the Keith Green Building is my favorite build as I as stay there to work on my..Read more

Z
Zoe
04 Nov 24

Nice, green open campus with lots of nature and wildlife. Great accommodation and catered halls have good food. I think there could be more opportunities for scholarships and..Read more

Entry requirements

You will need to be a qualified practitioner architect with a minimum of three years of practice experience. Applications will proceed via submission of an outline of the topic and methodology, a digital portfolio of design work, as well an interview. As the PhD will be situated in practice, several formal commitments will be required from the practice concerned. These include: a commitment to allow the candidate to work on their research for a minimum of 500 hours per annum a commitment to release the candidate for regular tutorials and crits,safeguards on the IP (Intellectual Property) of the resulting research if that research is done in collaboration with others in the practice. You will also need to formally agree with the School on any extra financial contributions that might be required to deliver on the PhD, for example, materials required for manufacture or access to specialist laboratories or computation, and these will be decided on a case-by-case basis depending on the topic.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£2,356 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Part-time fees are charged at 50% of the full-time fee. The mentioned fee are applicable to projects starting in April 2024, and July 2024.

£13,000 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

Part-time fees are charged at 50% of the full-time fee. The mentioned fee are applicable to projects starting in April 2024, and July 2024. £27,500 full-time degree per annum 2024-25 tuition fees are applicable to projects starting in October 2024, January 2025, April 2025 and July 2025.

£13,000 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

Part-time fees are charged at 50% of the full-time fee. The mentioned fee are applicable to projects starting in April 2024, and July 2024. £27,500 full-time degree per annum 2024-25 tuition fees are applicable to projects starting in October 2024, January 2025, April 2025 and July 2025.

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Architecture (General) reviews

Architecture (General)
Architecture (General)
LS
Lok Sze
06 Nov 24
Architecture (with placement year) BArch (Hons)
Is really lovely to get more practical work, and the Keith Green Building is my favorite build as I as stay there to work on my...
Read more
Z
Zoe
04 Nov 24
Architecture (with placement year) BArch (Hons)
Nice, green open campus with lots of nature and wildlife. Great accommodation and catered halls have good food. I think there could be more opportunities for scholarships and...
Read more
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Uni info

Loughborough University
Epinal Way Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 3TU United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Loughborough  1.1 miles away
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