Architecture

MPhil or PhD or PhD by Practice or PhD by Published Work or Research Degree involving Creative Work

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Key facts

Start dates

January 2024 / June 2024 / September 2024

Application deadline

It is recommended that you apply at least 6 months in advance of your intended start date to allow adequate time for your application to be processed (in the case of UK/EU with settled status applicants, no less than 6 weeks).

Location

Headington

Course length

Full time: 1 - 3 years

Part time: 4 - 6 years

Funding status

Self-funded

More details

Occasionally we have competitive studentships to apply for. Please contact the PGRT to enquire.

Overview

The School of Architecture is committed to engaging in world-leading research that addresses social, environmental and architectural challenges - locally, nationally and internationally. We provide a dynamic and inspirational research environment and a diverse and inclusive research culture, incorporating the work of all staff and students.

As a research student, you will be affiliated with one of the School’s research groups. Projects can cover a wide range of areas in and associated with Architecture, including:

  • construction
  • structural technologies
  • energy
  • low carbon
  • sustainability of the built environment
  • vernacular architecture
  • conservation
  • urbanization
  • humanitarian practice
  • architectural practice
  • Building Information Modelling (BIM)
  • design theory
  • Live projects
  • social justice
  • health and the environment
  • housing and home.
Architecture

Research expertise

As a research student you will be affiliated with one of our research groups. Please explore the research groups and their associated staff to see how your chosen field of study aligns with the research portfolio within the school.

Degree routes

All students enrol as probationer research students. During the first year you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes. 

The degree for which you register will depend on your academic qualifications and research experience. 

Why Oxford Brookes University?

As a research student you will be joining a School that is involved with world-leading research in a dynamic and vibrant environment. You will benefit from:

  • links with the wider faculty (the School of the Built Environment, School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics and the School of Arts)
  • automatic membership of the Faculty Doctoral Training Programme (DTP).
  • optional training courses, student events, lectures and other opportunities
  • 24-hour access to digital suites with specialist programmes such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), ArchiCAD, Revit, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) modelling, 3D Studio Max and, Rhino 3D
  • a purpose-built workshop offering dedicated spaces, tools and technologies for working with a wide range of materials
  • close links with the UK and international practice, civil society, industry and government
  • a Director of Studies and at least one other supervisor
  • a range of personal support that includes access to a wide range of staff who are available for consultation.

Staff

Current supervisors in the School of Architecture include:

Dr Andrea Placidi

Senior Lecturer and Subject Coordinator for Interior Architecture

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Professor Aylin Orbasli

Professor of Architectural and Urban Heritage

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Dr Brigitte Piquard

Reader in Humanitarianism and Conflict

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Professor Cathrine Brun

Director of CENDEP

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Dr Emma Rowden

Senior Lecturer

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Dr Francesco Proto

Senior Lecturer in Architecture

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Professor Jane Anderson

Programme Lead for Undergraduate Architecture

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Dr Julia Wedel

Senior Lecturer in Architecture, Subject Coordinator International Architectural Regeneration and Development

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Professor Marcel Vellinga

Professor of Anthropology of Architecture

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Ms Maria Faraone

Senior Lecturer in Architecture, RIBA Studio Programme Director

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Dr Mina Samangooei

Senior Lecturer in Architecture

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Professor Rajat Gupta

Professor of Sustainable Architecture and Climate Change, Director of OISD and LCB Group

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Dr Ricardo Assis Rosa

Senior Lecturer in Architecture - Design and Technology

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Dr Shahaboddin Resalati

Reader in Sustainable Architecture

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Dr Supriya Akerkar

Director, Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP)

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Dr Zoe Jordan

Senior Lecturer

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Students

Aleyda Valdes

Displacement due to gang violence in Latin America

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Catalina Morales Maya

Inclusive building, neighbourhood design and actual space performance in the context of urban spaces, UK

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Fatima Hashmi

Understanding forms and processes of stigmatisation and populations’ responses: A multi-site case study of ethnic minority groups in Pakistan and Colombia.

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Grace Khawams

Assessing job readiness among Lebanese and Palestinian refugee youth with intellectual disabilities in Lebanon: An Action Research Framework

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Kate McAuliff

Deaf Refugees in Jordan and Lebanon: a conceptual framework of agency and double displacement

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Oscar Natividad Puig

The role of multi-scalar networks in participatory urban interventions addressing socio-spatial inequality: an actor- network perspective

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Sherin Al shaikhahmed

Leadership of youth with disabilities in the context of Humanitarian-Development Nexus

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Tobias Vokuhl

Built back better? Exploring end-user perceptions of Economic, Symbolic, Cultural and Social capitals gained or lost in Nepal Government grant qualifying post-earthquake reconstruction housing.

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How to apply

Entry requirements

Please see the degree routes section above for specific entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide an IELTS language certificate with an overall score of 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in any element).

As a result of very recent changes made by UK Visas & Immigration, please note we no longer regard TOEFL as an acceptable language test for entry to Oxford Brookes. This applies whether you require a Student visa or not. You can find more details on our English language requirements pages.

If you do not meet these requirements you may be able to take our University English as a pre-sessional course.

Application process

  1. check entry requirements and fees
  2. explore our research groups and supervisory staff pages to see how your chosen field of study aligns with the research portfolio within the school
  3. agree your research with Emma Rowden (erowden@brookes.ac.uk), and advise her that you are considering making an application.
  4. You are also welcome to contact particular academics to help you develop your ideas
  5. formulate your proposal. You can indicate any staff members whom you would like to work with, or Emma will circulate your proposal to the most appropriate staff to get their comments.
  6. if the proposal is accepted, Emma will ask you to make a formal application, or give you advice on how the proposal may be improved. For guidance on writing a PhD research proposal see our Guide to writing PhD Research Proposals.
  7. gather required supporting documents
  8. submit your application through Oxford Brookes online application system
  9. email the supporting documents directly to tde-research-pgr@brookes.ac.uk

Supporting documents

Before applying through the Oxford Brookes online application system please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

  • research proposal
  • scan of your passport - to confirm your name and date of birth. We will then ensure that any offer letters issued to you correspond with your passport name, this will help when applying for a student visa
  • IELTS Certificate or equivalent (if required) – no older than two years from the proposed start date of your programme.
  • scan of your final degree certificates already awarded
  • scan of transcripts
  • two references (at least one academic) – your references must be on institutional headed paper and be dated and signed by referee(s). They can be sent directly to the Research Administrator in the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment in a sealed envelope, or emailed. Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their referees supply these documents
  • evidence of funding – (if sponsored by an employer or government, you must provide evidence in the form of a recently dated sponsorship letter on official headed paper. If supporting your studies from private funds, you must provide a recently dated bank statement).

Tuition fees

Home (UK) full time
£4,886

Home (UK) part time
£2,443

International full time
£17,100

International part time
£8,550

International full time
£17,950

International part time
£8,975

Tuition fees

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£4,886

Home (UK) part time
£2,443

International full time
£17,100

International part time
£8,550

2025 / 26
International full time
£17,950

International part time
£8,975

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

For International fees the following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. 

Home fees are set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and are released approximately five months before the start of each academic year.

If you have any questions about fees, get in touch with the Research Degrees Team at rdt-researchdegrees@brookes.ac.uk.

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course