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PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
Loughborough University
Part Time
JAN
6 years
Select a course option
PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
Loughborough University
Part Time
JAN
6 years
PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
Loughborough University
Part Time
JUL-25
6 years
PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
Loughborough University
Part Time
APR-25
6 years
Select a an exam type
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:
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.
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.
Students living in
Domestic
£2,356 per year
Students from Domestic
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
Students from 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
Students from International
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.
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