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.

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.

Overview

Architecture research opportunities at De Montfort University

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

DMU 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
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester
United Kingdom
LE1 9BH

Email: researchstudents@dmu.ac.uk

How to apply

PhD scholarships

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
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester
United Kingdom
LE1 9BH

Email: researchstudents@dmu.ac.uk

How to apply

PhD scholarships

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 DMU Doctoral College.

Guidance

Guidance on the equivalence of qualifications is available from the Student and Academic Services. 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

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

These timelines describe a student progression cycle in which the student has not had cause to interrupt their period of registration or apply to extend their registration period because more time is needed before thesis submission. The reality of research study is that occasionally students have cause to take time away from their research for a variety of reasons and students can apply to interrupt their study.

Facilities and features

Campus development

Over the next few years we are continuing our investment in the DMU 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 DMU to be one of the foremost providers of creative higher education in the UK.

Health and wellbeing

At DMU 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 De Montfort University’s research repository. It forms the primary public and institutional record of DMU research outputs.

DORA currently lists over 10,000 items, and the breadth of research at DMU 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

Early Career Researchers

DMU 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.

Training and Development

Research is central to our mission at De Montfort University 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.

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.

DMU is fully committed to implementing The Concordat and holds Vitae’s associated HR Excellence in Research Award. In line with DMU'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.

Take your next steps

Postgraduate research students are nurtured and recognised by scholars and research leaders.

DMU graduates can benefit from a tuition fee discount, available on selected full-time and part-time postgraduate taught courses.