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Architecture Practice-led PhD

Most students complete this programme in 6 to 8 years part-time

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A flexible route that allows qualified architects to study for a PhD while working part-time, typically in a subject related to their professional work.

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

Study can reflect a company’s or individual’s expertise, ideally relating to both. The University also offers the potential for collaborative research with supervision available from within computing, psychology, management and other disciplines.

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.

The PhD programme is an integral part of the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering and we welcome successful applicants as junior academic colleagues rather than students. We expect you to play a full and professional role in contributing to the Department’s objective of international academic excellence.

Find out more about our research

Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering

Programme structure

Most students complete this programme in 6 to 8 years. You cannot take less than 4 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 8 years.

You can start this programme in September or October.

You may also start mid-year, subject to agreement with your supervisor and the Doctoral College.

This course is designed to be part-time, it allows you to continue earning while completing a consolidated programme.

If you opt to study at 0.5 FTE (the standard option), you'll register for 8 years part-time, but can submit your thesis within 4 years years if you meet the requirements. This presumes 500 hours a year of intensive and focused doctoral study.

If you study at 0.6 FTE, the minimum study period is 3 years 4 months and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 6 years 8 months.

If you study at 0.8 FTE, the minimum study period is 2 years 6 months and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 5 years.

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

Join a cohort of like-minded professionals carrying out applied research, and incorporating practice at the forefront of their disciplines.

As well as the chance to complete a course of doctoral study while maintaining your principal employment, you will gain:

  • an internationally recognised qualification, emblematic of excellence in research standards and the generation of new knowledge
  • demonstrable status as an expert in your field
  • the opportunity to develop a career specialisation with commercial value

The company will gain:

  • enhanced intellectual capital
  • bespoke, evidence-based research leading to potential for significant innovations
  • access to the research network of one of the UK’s leading research universities
  • a way of offering staff an opportunity that will also benefit the practice’s strategic development interests
  • advertising space in the Department’s foyer (we attract c. 10,000 visitors a year, many of them influential in architecture and engineering) and public recognition in conference presentations and publications by student and collaborating staff, where relevant
  • the appointment of a member of the practice as co-supervisor, where agreed

Your practice has to ensure that their employee can free up 500 hours a year for study (if you study part-time at 0.5 FTE) . As a first step, the practice and student should agree an area of research commitment that satisfies both parties' needs.

Enabling a member of the team to take advantage of this route to a PhD is likely to enhance their status and success and, make a significant contribution to the practice’s capacity for innovation.

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 an initial period equivalent to 12 months of full-time work, and undertaking an oral examination.

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 write 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)

In addition, you will need to be a qualified practitioner in a relevant field and be able to draw on work and experience in practice as part of studying for a PhD.

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. One of these should be an academic reference from the most recent place of study, and the other should be from the current employer.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Architecture Practice-led 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

Some PhD projects may 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)

To note

Your tuition fees will also depend on whether you study at 50% of the full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE), 60% of the full-time equivalent (0.6 FTE) or 80% of the full-time equivalent (0.8 FTE).

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

Designed for qualified practitioners in relevant fields, this course is for committed professionals who can draw on their work and experience in practice as part of studying for a PhD.

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

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 supervisor(s) 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 is important because 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 students.

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 (not in person) by the prospective supervisor(s) and an independent member of academic staff or the department’s Director of Doctoral Studies.

It is important to remember that PhD places are 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/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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