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Architecture research degree MPhil/PhD

With internationally renowned researchers, state-of-the-art facilities, a passion for interdisciplinary working and a focus on real-world impact, the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities has a lot to offer research students.

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That’s why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

Architecture research opportunities at Ð԰ɵç̨

The community and practice-based research at the Leicester School of Architecture reaches audiences well beyond academia, both nationally and internationally. Our work delivers benefits to architectural practitioners, urban designers, social scientists, local communities and authorities, professional bodies, cultural historians and archaeologists, and many others seeking to interpret, make and remake the built environment.

With a growing research profile, our work covers architectural history and theory, building physics and modelling, the impact of climate and the economics of sustainable development, holistic approaches to planning, as well as expanding our understanding of how the making of the built environment constitutes and consolidates our cultural understandings.

Faculty staff act as peer reviewers for UK research councils and sit on the boards of journals, scientific committees for international conferences and advisory panels for professional bodies.

The Digital Building Heritage Group (DBHG) uses the latest technologies and deep expertise in architectural history to conjure the past from thin air, digitally reconstructing historic buildings to observe, analyse and interpret lost elements of the built environment.

Working in partnership with public, private and community heritage organisations, our high-quality, internationally recognised research crosses traditional boundaries and delivers real-world impact.

Our researchers use cutting edge technology, including 3D digital modelling, laser scanning and 3D printing to measure, visualise, interpret and understand historic and ancient buildings.

The DBHG has strong links with heritage organisations in the UK and overseas including English Heritage, the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

 

More courses like this:

Design research degree MPhil/PhD
Humanities research degree MPhil/PhD

Ð԰ɵç̨ has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

  • UK
  • EU/International

Fees and funding: Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Contact details: The Doctoral College team is here to guide you through these processes and ensure you stay on track.

Gateway House 3.35
Ð԰ɵç̨ 
The Gateway 
Leicester 
United Kingdom 
LE1 9BH

Email: researchstudents@dmu.ac.uk 

International PhD programme

Doctoral College

Fees and funding: Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Contact details: The Doctoral College team is here to guide you through these processes and ensure you stay on track.

Gateway House 3.35
Ð԰ɵç̨
The Gateway
Leicester
United Kingdom
LE1 9BH

Email: researchstudents@dmu.ac.uk

International PhD programme

Doctoral College

Entry criteria

Entry requirements 

In order to be admitted as a candidate for a research degree an applicant shall normally:

  • Possess a UK Honours degree with at least an upper second class honours, or an academic or professional qualification which the University deems to be equivalent (eg. an overseas qualification); and
  • Demonstrate competence in the use of the English language to the satisfaction of the University.

For further details contact the Ð԰ɵç̨ Doctoral College.

Guidance

Applicants without the normal qualifications outlined above may be considered for registration by the University on their merits in relation to the nature of the proposed research programme and by submission of a non-standard qualifications request by the prospective supervisor.

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent before you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Structure and assessment

 

Supervision and assessment

Progression cycle

 

 

Researcher Development, Review and Assessment

Training Needs Analysis
During the probationary period, you will carry out a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) in order to personalise the range of skills development in research required for your project . You will complete this within three months of enrolment for full-time students and six months for part-time students. A range of compulsory and optional courses from the Researcher Development Programme form the basis of the TNA, which can be supplemented according to your specific needs (eg in languages, technical skills, etc). The TNA is submitted online with the support of your supervisor.

Formal Review
All research students registered on the Doctoral Researcher Programme carry out a Formal Review to confirm PhD as their award aim (This does not apply if you are studying for the MA/MSc by Research or if you are aiming for an MPhil). The Formal Review submission includes a detailed review of literature relevant to your topic along with discussion of your proposed research methods and work you have undertaken to that point—such as data collection and/or analysis, as well as your plans for the work required to complete your project. Students completing practice-based PhDs (for example where artistic creation is part of the research methodology) will also submit examples of practical work completed to that point.

Annual Review
A formal Annual Review Panel is held to discuss in detail your proposed research objectives for the following year and the research project achievements of the previous year.

Progress Reports
Online progress reports are required at least once a month. As a research student you are required to discuss your work regularly with your supervisors as an essential part of the teaching and learning contract between you and the University. These Progress Reports are an important record of the interactions you have with your supervisors and really help keep your work on track to successful completion.

Completion Period

Thesis Submission
The submission of your thesis for examination is be accompanied by a thesis submission form which confirms the originality of the work. You will complete this form when your thesis is submitted to the Graduate School Office (GSO).

The Viva Voce Examination
All research degree students undergo an oral examination, the ‘viva voce’, which takes place after you have submitted your thesis to the GSO. The examination team consists of at least two academics with significant expertise in your field. Normally there will be one internal examiner (a member of staff of the University) and an external examiner who is chosen for their particular experience and academic status.. Your first supervisor will take responsibility for arranging the viva voce examination once the nominated examiners have been approved by your Faculty and the Director of Graduate School.

Contact Hours
Full-time research degree students are expected to undertake at least 35 hours a week of study throughout the year. Part-time students are expected to undertake 12 hours per week. This will include meeting regularly with your supervisor, as set out in the Code of Practice for Research Degree Students.

Full-time

Normally, a full-time student will have:

  • By 3 months - Completed the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) online, in conjunction with their supervisor
  • By 6 months - Submitted an Application to Register for a Research Degree to the Graduate School Office (GSO)
  • By 12-15 months - Submitted the Formal Review form and Formal Review Report to the GSO
  • At 24 months - Participated in an Annual Review along with your supervisory team and an independent assessor. Your supervisor will arrange this
  • By 36 months - Been transferred into the ‘Completion Period’ by the GSO if three years of full time registration has been completed and will have participated in an Annual Review
  • At 36+ months - Submitted an examinable thesis to the GSO in order that this can be forwarded to the examiners in preparation for the viva voce examination. Students who have not submitted their thesis at this time will be charged continuation fees and will no longer be eligible for UK Council Tax Exemption. Students who encounter delays in submitting their thesis will continue to participate in Annual Reviews until thesis submission.
  • Within 48 months - Have participated in a successful viva voce examination and received a recommendation for the award

Part-time

Normally, a part-time student will have:

  • By 6 months - Completed the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) online, in conjunction with their supervisor
  • By 12 months - Submitted an Application to Register for a Research Degree to the Graduate School Office (GSO), participated in an Annual Review
  • By 18-24 months - Submitted the Formal Review form and Formal Review Report to the GSO
  • At 36 months - Participated in an Annual Review along with your supervisory team and an independent assessor. Your supervisor will arrange this
  • At 48 months - Participated in an Annual Review
  • By 60 months - Been transferred into the ‘Completion Period’ by the GSO if three years of full time registration has been completed and will have participated in an Annual Review
  • At 60+ months - At the end of the Completion Period, submit an examinable thesis to the GSO in order that this can be forwarded to the examiners in preparation for the viva voce examination. Students who have not submitted their thesis at this time will then be charged continuation fees.  Students who encounter delays in submitting their thesis will continue to participate in Annual Reviews until thesis submission.
  • Within 60 months - Have participated in a successful viva voce examination and received a recommendation for the award

 

 

Facilities and features

Campus development

Over the next few years we are continuing our investment in the Ð԰ɵç̨ campus to provide the modern, inspiring environment our students deserve. A £136 million transformation of our city centre site will see improved teaching rooms, eating areas and the Students’ Union, and create a beautiful area of parkland at the very heart of the campus.

The centrepiece is an impressive new base for the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities – with sector-leading teaching facilities that will help Ð԰ɵç̨ to be one of the foremost providers of creative higher education in the UK.

Health and wellbeing

At Ð԰ɵç̨ we understand the importance of a healthy mind in a healthy body which is why we have invested heavily in our recreational and leisure facilities and have a full counselling team to provide confidential support if necessary.

A chaplaincy also provides non-denominational religious support and a doctor’s surgery on campus delivers a full NHS service to students and the local community. 

DORA

DORA (De Montfort Open Research Archive) is Ð԰ɵç̨’s research repository. It forms the primary public and institutional record of Ð԰ɵç̨ research outputs.

currently lists over 10,000 items, and the breadth of research at Ð԰ɵç̨ means that these include articles, conference papers, books, book chapters, and other material available in a digital form. The record for each item contains descriptive information as well as, where possible, a version of the final research output.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

Ð԰ɵç̨'s award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities Ð԰ɵç̨ Careers Team
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Early Career Researchers

Ð԰ɵç̨ is committed to supporting the development of its Early Career Researchers. More information of the training and development available can be found throughout this section and details of those courses particularly aimed at Early Career Research staff can be found here. The development of research students rests with the Doctoral College.

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Training and Development

Research is central to our mission at Ð԰ɵç̨ and is at the heart of our vibrant academic environment. Support for the training and development of our staff is a key objective within our Research Strategy and we aim to provide continuing professional development for researchers at all points in their careers.

The Research, Business and Innovation Directorate supports the needs of our research staff and included within this is support of training and development. The RBI coordinates with other Directorates and Faculties across the University with the aim of providing as broad a programme of courses and sessions as possible.

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The Concordat

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, developed and supported by Research Councils UK and Universities UK and supported by Vitae, is an agreement between the funders and employers of researchers in the UK.

Ð԰ɵç̨ is fully committed to implementing The Concordat and holds Vitae’s associated HR Excellence in Research Award.  In line with Ð԰ɵç̨'s Research Strategy for 2013 - 2017, the Directorate of Research, Business and Innovation and the Graduate School work with Faculties to support our researchers in their research and career development.  We seek to align our activities to the seven key principles of The Concordat which cover all areas of research activity.

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