Overview
Duration:
Full-time PhD 2-4 years
Part-time PhD 3-6 years
Full-time MPhil 1-3 years
Part-time MPhil 2-4 years.
Application deadline: International: at least five months before cohort start date
Home/EU: at least three months before cohort start date.
Entry requirements:
First or good second class honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject.
Language requirements: IELTS 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each of the four components) or TOEFL internet 100 (at least 24 in each of the four bands) or PTE Academic (69 minimum and no less than 62 in any component)
MPhil and PhD - Architecture and Civil Engineering
We offer research degrees in a variety of areas including:
- BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials
- Centre for Advanced Studies in Architecture
- Research Unit for the Engineering and Design of Environments
Our philosophy
As a joint Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering we engage in research and develop graduate courses where integration between the disciplines is likely to be most valuable.
Research is also carried out in collaboration with other departments in the University, particularly Mechanical Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Management, and Computer Science.
The dissemination of research findings is seen as a vital component of the research process and graduate students are encouraged to prepare papers for publication as part of their research training. We encourage a wide range of interests. Academic staff are always open to ideas which extend existing work or introduce new topics to their existing subject areas.
Our applicants
The MPhil and PhD programmes are an integral part of the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Successful applicants are welcomed as junior academic colleagues rather than students, and are expected to play a full and professional role in contributing to the Department’s objective of international academic excellence.
We seek applications from outstanding individuals from anywhere in the world who are strongly committed to and potentially capable of high-quality academic research in any of the disciplinary areas covered by our Research Centres.
Further details
The MPhil and PhD programmes combine taught research training and applied research practice. Candidates join the Department as a member of the Research Centre in which they initially have a broad research interest and that will have overseen their acceptance into the Department.
Most research students who ‘do a PhD’ register in the first instance as probationer for the degree of PhD. Confirmation of PhD registration is subject to your passing an assessment process, which normally involves submission of written work and an oral examination.
Thesis
Candidates are expected to carry out supervised research at the leading edge of their chosen subject, which must then be written up as a substantial thesis.
Viva exam
The final stage of the PhD degree is the oral or viva voce examination, in which students are required to defend the thesis to a Board of Examiners.
- First or good second class honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject.
The minimum non-graduate qualifications* acceptable for admission to the University of Bath are passes at a satisfactory level in either of the following examinations:
- Institution of Chemical Engineers Part III or
- Membership of recognised professional institutions of at least graduate status or a relevant professional qualification acceptable to the Board of Studies
- Extended and responsible experience at an appropriate standard in a relevant field acceptable to the Board of Studies.
* Except where otherwise stated, these conditions refer to candidates for the Degree of Master's only.
International Students
See the International students website for details of entry requirements based on qualifications from your country.
All non-native speakers of English are required to have passed English language tests as follows:
- Either IELTS: a score of at least 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all four parts (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing)
- Or TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test) with a score of not less than 4 in TWE or 100 (internet-based test) with not less than 24 in each of the components.
- Or PTE Academic (69 minimum and no less than 62 in any component)
If you need to develop your English language skills, the University’s English Language Centre offers a number of courses.
The research proposal
You must make contact with a potential supervisor before applying. A potential supervisor should be able to provide advice on the preparation of a research proposal and reassure that your research area is viable.
Contact details for our academic staff can be found on the Department website.
Application process
To apply for an MPhil/PhD in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering you must complete our online application form for Architecture or Civil Engineering.
You will be required to register for the online application system, after which you will receive a username and password to log in to your application.
Complete the online application form. Indicate on the form what cohort you wish to join (October, January, April, July). If you supply contact details (including email) for your referee we will contact them automatically for a reference.
Documents to upload with your application
- Copies of your transcripts and certificates. If you have not completed your studies please provide copies of the transcripts you have to date
- A full academic CV (maximum two pages). This must include all schools, colleges and universities attended, along with all grades and other verifiable evidence of academic ability and achievement, plus any working experience
- Research summary document containing the following: the names of two academic staff that you think might be appropriate doctoral supervisors for your research interests; an additional statement of up to 200 words of why you want to study for a PhD; and a statement of whether or not you are also applying to us for funding, and if you are, statements of (i) exactly which funding you are applying for, and of (ii) why you consider, in no more than 100 words, an award of funding should be granted to you
- Copies of IELTS or TOEFL or PTE Academic results (for non-native speakers of English). These should have been taken within two years of your chosen start date (this can be sent later if you are waiting for results or have not taken the test yet).
You will be required to produce the originals of all documents at registration (transcripts/degree certificates/IELTS or TOEFL or PTE Academic results).
Applications are processed as quickly as possible. Please be aware that we experience peak times for admissions so an early application is advisable.
Your application will not be considered until you have uploaded copies of your transcripts, your CV and your research summary documentand we have received an academic reference.
