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Architecture PhD

Most students complete this programme in 4 years full-time

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Develop your specialism with a PhD to create original and significant knowledge in the field, and contribute to a culturally considerate and sustainable world.

You can carry out your doctoral research in one of a range of interests in our Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering. Our department encompasses a diversity of expertise across the field of construction, to understand our built heritage and to take on the complex challenges of creating a more sustainable world. Our research expertise includes the following areas:

  • Architectural History and Theory
  • Conservation of Historic Buildings
  • Conservation, Sustainability and Retrofit
  • Contemporary Architectural Design and Industry Processes
  • Architectural Practice Management
  • Computing and Architecture, including CAD, BIM and AI
  • Sustainable Building Systems (Energy, Air, Water)
  • Traditional and Innovative Low-Carbon Materials
  • Recycling and Life-Cycle Assessment of Building Materials
  • Sustainable and Resilient Cities (Transport, Plants, Water)
  • Reduced-Carbon Concrete Construction
  • Social Equity in Cities

You will become a member of one of the Engineering and Design Faculty’s six Research Centres, to support your work and give you the opportunity to thrive as part a research community. Our centres are:

Find out more about our research

Programme structure

Most students complete this programme in 4 years. You cannot take less than 2 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 4 years.

You may register for the PhD for four years but if you are awarded a studentship, funding is usually tenable for three or three-and-a-half years. Most students are able to complete within this time.

You will start this programme in September.

Most students start this programme when the academic year begins in late September, and most grants are awarded on that basis, but it is also possible to start at other times of year.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.

Academic milestones

  1. Registration
  2. Induction
  3. Candidature
  4. Confirmation
  5. Research
  6. Writing up
  7. Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
  8. Submission for examination
  9. Examination (Viva Voce)
  10. Examiners report
  11. Final submission of thesis / portfolio
  12. Graduation

Programme content

Learning

  • Doctoral skills online
  • Doctoral skills workshop
  • Research project
  • Seminars
  • Supervisory team

Research content

We are open to a wide range of ideas and want to hear where you’d like to focus your research. Our academics are especially interested to hear how your research could build on their existing work or about a new topic in their current subject areas. Use the University website to find specific staff who might be able to supervise in your project area. Projects in some areas may already be funded and open for applications – see the ‘Fees and Funding’ section below.

Professional Development

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our MyDoctoralDevelopment workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

Read more about professional development support

Assessment

Assessment methods

  • Thesis
  • Viva Voce

Assessment description

Your PhD registration begins with a probationary stage and has to be confirmed by passing an assessment process. This involves submitting a report after 12 months and undertaking an oral examination. There is also an alternate by paper route which can be discussed with the Faculty.

We expect you to carry out supervised research at the forefront of your chosen subject, which must then be written up as a substantial thesis. Presenting your research findings is an important part of research training and we encourage you to prepare papers for conferences and for publication throughout your PhD. Journal papers can become the basis of an ‘Alternative Format’ PhD thesis, consisting of articles framed with additional work to meet the requirements of the PhD.

The final stage of the PhD programme is the oral or viva voce examination, where you must discuss your thesis with a Board of Examiners.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A strong academic background in a field relevant to the proposed research, specifically:

  • A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent), or
  • A master’s degree with a minimum of a merit classification (or equivalent).

Some academic-led or funded research projects may have further requirements which will be stipulated in individual project advertisements.

English Language requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to meet the minimum English language requirements before you can start your course.

You’ll need to provide us with a valid result in an approved English language test, for example:

  • Duolingo: 120 overall with sub scores of Speaking 110, Writing 110, Reading 110, Listening 105
  • Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any component
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken before 21 January 2026): 90 overall with no less than 21 in any element
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken after 20 January 2026): 4.5 overall with no less than 4.0 in any component

See the required scores for all the English language tests we accept.

You must have taken your English language qualification within 24 months of your course start date.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you might be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

You don't normally need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency if:

  • you're a UK national
  • you're a national of a majority English-speaking country, as recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and you’ve lived and been educated in that country for a significant period
  • you hold a degree taught in English awarded within two years of your course start date

References

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference from the most recent place of study.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Architecture PhD

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students. If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

You will need to budget for living expenses and, if you don’t already live in Bath, your relocation costs.

The University has developed some resources to help you understand typical costs of living in Bath. Please see the example postgraduate budget or the example budget for an overseas student intending to bring family to Bath.

If you require a visa to study in the UK, you will also need to budget for visa fees and the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS).

Some PhD projects, if not funded already, necessitate payment of a Training Support Fee (sometimes known as a Bench Fee) in addition to tuition fees. Your intended PhD project supervisor will be able to advise if this will apply to your intended PhD project.

Find out more about Training Support Fees (TSF)

How to pay

Funding options

Find funding for Doctoral research

Payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer.

Paying your tuition fees

Application information

Applicant profile

We seek applications from outstanding individuals from anywhere in the world. You should be strongly committed to carrying out high-quality academic research in any of the disciplinary areas covered by academic staff in our department.

A competitive applicant profile will show:

  • Strong academic credentials
  • Your readiness to be an independent PhD researcher
  • A clear understanding of the proposed research project, its intended methods and its aims
  • Alignment between the applicant’s research interests/experience and the supervisor’s or department’s research priorities

Application guidance

You can apply for one of our pre-defined research projects or develop your own proposal. Our academic staff are always open to hear how your research can build on their existing work or about a new topic in their current subject areas.

You must identify one or two intended supervisors in your in your application. We cannot consider your application if no supervisor has been named.

To increase your chances of success, we strongly recommend that you contact your intended supervisor(s) ahead of submitting your application to make them aware of your interest and to discuss the intended research project. This applies even if you intend to apply in response to an advertised PhD project opportunity. It is especially important if you intend to apply with your own project idea because, in this case, you will need to ensure, firstly, that your research interests are compatible with the expertise of your intended supervisor(s) and, secondly, that they have capacity to take on new PhD students.

If you are applying with your own project idea (as opposed to applying for a pre-defined/advertised research project), you should submit a research proposal of around 1,000 words with your application. Within your proposal you should explain the knowledge gap you have identified, how you intend to fill it, and it should give an indicative timeline of work for discussion with your potential supervisor.

In all cases, in your personal statement, you will need to tell us why you are interested in pursuing independent research, quote examples of your undergraduate or master's research projects, and explain how a PhD fits with your career plans.

See our guide about how to apply for doctoral study for more information and further documents required.

Selection process

When your application is received, it will be forwarded to your intended supervisor(s). If they are interested in pursuing your application, they will ask the Doctoral Admissions team to review your application. This will include assessing your tuition fee status, checking that your application is complete and confirming that you meet the minimum entry criteria as quoted in the ‘Entry requirements’ section above.

The outcome of the Doctoral Admissions team review will be sent to your intended supervisor(s) who will then decide if they wish to invite you to interview. Interviews will typically be conducted online by the prospective supervisor(s) and an independent member of academic staff or the department's Director of Studies.

If you are applying to one of our funding competitions, there may be further shortlisting and decision stages which will be competition-specific.

PhD places are often competitively awarded and your application will be considered as a whole, including the quality of all your uploaded documents and your references as well as your ability to meet entry requirements and demonstrate relevant research experience and potential.

Immigration requirements

If you are an international student, you can find out more about the visa requirements for studying in the UK.

For additional support please contact the Student Immigration Service for matters related to student visas and immigration.

Programme enquiries

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