PhD Built Environment

• Overview

• This full time doctoral programme is suitable for people who want to develop themselves as a researcher and make a contribution to knowledge in the domain of buildings. Research is typically based on a particular research question or topic that is of deep interest to the applicant, however we are happy to help you develop your ideas.

  You will be guided by a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies. 

  If you do not already have a masters degree, you may be interested in one of our masters level research degrees (which enables a transfer directly into the PhD programme if you are making excellent progress), or else an MPhil degree. Further details about the University’s research degree awards.

  As part of your studies you will engage with skills development and research training; you will also be expected to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts such as research seminars, national and international conferences and peer-reviewed academic journals. The actual studies are typically carried out in close interaction with the supervisory team, providing regular feedback along the way. Where possible we encourage joint publications, allowing you to engage with the international scientific community as part of a team. Your PhD will be assessed via submission of either a written thesis (approximately 80,000 words) and a viva voce (an oral examination).

  For full details of what doing a PhD entails at the University of Plymouth, please visit our postgraduate research degrees pages.

  Core modules

  • Research Skills and Methodologies in Art, Design and Architecture (ADA700)

    This is a research-based module for ResM and Phil/PhD students is designed to develop critical and reflective tools and techniques used in the three fields to support students research skills. The module will provide students with knowledge of current debates relating to approaches, theories, practices, skills and methodologies of research within the fields of Art, Design and Architecture.

  • Research Built Environment (GSRBENV1)

  • Research Skills in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (DRTS800)

    This module provides research students the opportunity to explore the creation and interpretation of new knowledge within their field; develop the students’ ability to conceptualise, design and present their theses to merit publication; advance the students’ academic enquiry skills and techniques; and to generate and share the new knowledge within their academic discipline and professional practice.

• Year 2

• Core modules

  • Research Built Environment (GSRBENV2)

• Year 3

• Core modules

  • Research Built Environment (GSRBENV3)

• Year 4

• Core modules

  • Research Built Environment (GSRBENV4)

• Year 5

• Core modules

  • Research Built Environment (GSRBENV5)

• Final year

• Core modules

  • Research Built Environment (GSRBENV6)

Applicants are expected to have completed a masters level qualification to a high standard (e.g. at 'merit' or 'distinction' level) as well as either a good 2:1 or first class honours undergraduate degree in an area of study appropriate to your project proposal, such as construction, civil engineering or architecture. We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications and industry experience.

You will also need to provide evidence that you are ready to pursue the project you propose in your application. We will assess this via the research proposal that is part of the application.

If English is not your first language, you must have proficiency in written and spoken English (normally a minimum test score of 6.5 for IELTS, or equivalent).

For more general guidelines and application requirements, please visit the research degrees applicants page.