Research degrees programme

The School of Architecture Research degrees programme is one of the largest in the UK. Both staff and students in the School are active in undertaking research and consultancy work in a variety of specialist fields, including low carbon technologies, architectural humanities, technology, development practice and vernacular architecture. This results in a dynamic and thriving research environment that adds to the richness of the experience of our research degree students and offers opportunities for collaborative research, exchanges and study overseas.

The School enjoys a high reputation for its research (RAE 2008) and has links with some 90 universities in over 30 countries worldwide. In addition it maintains close links with architectural practice to ensure our expertise remains grounded in current realities. There are currently 35 full-time/ part-time UK, EU and International students registered on the programme, working to complete one of four Research Degree routes offered: MPhil; MPhil transferring to PhD; PhD Direct; and PhD by Published Work.

For information on our current students and the wide variety of topics they research please visit our research students web page.

Why study here?

Each research degree student belongs to one of the research groups in the School and there are opportunities to be involved in the full range of its activities, from strategy away-days to submitting research grant proposals and undertaking hourly paid consultancy work.
The size of the research degree student cohort creates opportunities that would not otherwise exist. The School programme itself is large but for many aspects of the programme it links with the wider Faculty (which includes the Departments of Planning, Real Estate and Construction, the Joint Centre for Urban Design and the School of Arts). There are usually over 25 research students in the school at any one time. This creates a lively, vibrant environment for research degree study.
The School offers a Faculty-wide taught research training course that comprises several different research methods modules. Particularly for part-time students, it also offers a more flexible, open research methods course run by Dr Nicholas Walliman, the author of Social Research Methods (Sage, 2006) and Your Research Project (Sage, 2005).
Students are encouraged to join each cohort of new students progressing through the programme alongside each other. In addition, we use a structured calendar to guide students through the programme - it can be difficult to adjust to a non-taught degree and students may feel lost and unmotivated without this guidance.
During semester time, research students and supervisors meet weekly over lunch and take turns in presenting their research ideas, methods, problems and findings. In addition, some of the research groups in the School organise monthly research seminars.
All students are allocated at least two supervisors (usually three). Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their supervisors (e.g. every three weeks) and to meet altogether as a team at least once a semester.
Each year the School runs a research student conference. This provides the opportunity for students to present their work in a formal setting and to learn from the work and experiences of other students.
Students are encouraged to take part in the research activities of the School and Faculty, for example, by attending the weekly 'Breakfast Seminars' in which members of staff and visiting scholars present their research.
Each full-time student will have their own office space for the period of their study. This includes desk, storage space, a PC, an email account and access to internet, printers, scanners and telephones. The School has advanced IT facilities and high-quality studio space and workshops for use by research students. Part-time students are given shared usage of desk space.

What research can we supervise?

We welcome research proposals related to any of the subjects covered by the research groups in the Department. These include:

More details can be found the research page of our website

At an early stage in the application process we encourage those interested in studying here to communicate with the relevant supervisors/group leaders so that a proposal can be worked up together.

Who can apply?

For registration to study for the University's research degrees, a first degree pass at first or upper second class level (or the equivalent) is required. A Masters in a related topic is desirable but not essential. Your undergraduate degree does not necessarily need to be in an architecture or built environment related subject.

If English is not your first language you will need to obtain one of the following:

Overseas GCE O Level (or GCSE) in English Language grades A or B only (taken within the last 10 years)
IELTS (British Council) Test: level 7 (taken within the last 2 years)
TOEFL Paper-based Test: Structure/Written expression: 6.5 or above (taken within the last 2 years)

Evidence of qualifications must be provided with applications, in the form of copies of the award certificates.

The University runs a variety of pre-entry courses for students who do not meet these requirements through its ICELS Centre.

How do you apply?

Applications can be made at any time at UKPASS, the online application system used by Oxford Brookes, but please note that we encourage students to start in September. To go to UKPASS click here https://pgapp.ukpass.ac.uk/ukpasspgapp/login.jsp

For guidance on writing a PhD research proposal see our Guide to writing PhD Research Proposals.

Once we have received the application, it will be forwarded to the most appropriate supervisors in the School, who will be asked to advice on the suitability and quality of the proposal. Based on their feedback, the proposal will be considered by the School's Research Degree Panel, which will take the decision on whether or not to offer you a place.

Each application will be assessed by at least two potential supervisors. Please note that, from the moment we receive the application, the process of assessment will take about six weeks and may involve an interview.

Acceptance on the programme depends not only on the academic quality of the proposal, but also on whether or not there are two suitable supervisors in the School within the relevant field who have sufficient capacity within their workload to take on new students.

If you application is successful, you will receive an offer letter. You must accept the offer by returning the acceptance form.

Supervisors

Current supervisors include:

Current fees and funding

For information on current fees, please consult the graduate office research degree fees page.

From time to time the School has studentships available and information on these will be posted on our website.

Details of any scholarships that available within the University at large can be found on the University web site.

Details of funding opportunities for International students including details of the Alumni Discount scheme can be found on our website.

Details of funding opportunities for UK/ EU students including details of the Alumni Discount scheme can be found on our website.

For any student, having an offer of a place is important for securing funding from other sources, therefore early applications are advised.

Further information

For further information on studying for a Research Degree at Oxford Brookes University please see the Graduate Office and University Courses web pages.