Architecture

Most students initially register for an MPhil with the possibility of transfer to a PhD without submitting for an MPhil. During your MPhil you will:

critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
present and defend a substantial thesis by oral examination.
Length of study

Full Time: min 2 years, max 3 years for MPhil component only; for MPhil/PhD, min 3 years, max 5 years.
Part Time: min 3 years, max 4 years for MPhil component only; for MPhil/PhD, min 4 years, max 6 years.
Entry requirement: the minimum entry requirement for an MPhil degree, or an MPhil with the intention of transferring to a PhD, is:

a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree
a relevant master’s qualification
or an equivalent qualification.
Applications from those holding qualifications other than the above will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed.

A PhD by Practice is a PhD undertaken through workplace-based research (including in an architectural practice) or through action research. The outcome would be a practical piece of work and a critical reflection on that work. The relationship between practical and critical work will vary from project to project.

‘By practice’ covers a number of different approaches:

developing an innovative project at a workplace (paid or unpaid work) for example, developing new tools (technical or analytical)
implementing a project (where the project or the implementation methods in itself are identified as contributing new knowledge in the field, such as testing new practices)
learning and documenting new or hitherto undocumented/under-researched practices in a community of practice
adapting practices to new environments
formulating a new policy (institutional or thematic)
working on a project/learning at work (including activist research in which the candidate actively works for change in an organisation/group).
The aim with a PhD by practice is to investigate critically and evaluate an approved topic resulting in an independent and original contribution to the field, and demonstrate an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field by documenting, understanding, analysing and possibly developing particular practices related to a workplace or community of practice.

The guiding principle is that basic research and knowledge expansion can happen through practice-based research. Practice-based research is often time-consuming and the innovations made possible through such research need to be acknowledged.

Entry requirement: the minimum entry requirement is:

a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree
a relevant master’s qualification
or an equivalent qualification.
Applications from those holding qualifications other than the above will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed.

You may undertake a programme of research in which your own creative work or practice forms the most significant part of the intellectual enquiry. These creative work degrees may be in any field but must be undertaken as part of a registered research programme.

Length of study:

Full Time: min 2 years, max 3 years for MPhil component only; for MPhil/PhD, min 3 years, max 5 years.
Part Time: min 3 years, max 4 years for MPhil component only; for MPhil/PhD, min 4 years, max 6 years.
Entry requirement: the minimum entry requirement is:

a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree
a relevant master’s qualification
or an equivalent qualification.
Applications from those holding qualifications other than the above will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed.

The criteria for a PhD are similar to those for an MPhil, with the key difference that:

the research carried out will result in an independent and original contribution to knowledge.
Length of study:

Full Time: min 2 years, max 5 years.
Part Time: min 3 years, max 6 years.
Entry requirement: a recent master’s degree in a discipline appropriate to the proposed research. The master’s needs to have included research training and a research project.

In exceptional cases, applicants who have a good honours degree (or equivalent) may apply for direct registration to a PhD if they have appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment. An unpublished master’s dissertation would not suffice in this instance.

The degree of PhD on the basis of published work may be awarded to candidates whose submitted work:

reflects the same academic standards as those which operate for a traditional PhD based upon an approved programme of supervised research
forms a coherent programme of research
demonstrates the use of appropriate research methodology
and makes an original and sufficient contribution to the present state of knowledge in a particular field to the satisfaction of the examiners.
Applicants should normally have had some prior association with Oxford Brookes University. The submission for examination comprises the published work on which the application is based, together with a supporting critical appraisal of this work.

Length of study:

Part Time: 1 year
Entry requirement: the minimum entry requirement is:

a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree
a relevant master’s qualification