Architecture research degree MPhil/PhD

Postgraduate

In Leicester

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Postgraduate

  • Location

    Leicester

  • Duration

    Flexible

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).

Facilities

Location

Start date

Leicester (Leicestershire)
See map
The Gateway, LE1 9BH

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now closed

About this course

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.

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Reviews

This centre's achievements

2021

All courses are up to date

The average rating is higher than 3.7

More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months

This centre has featured on Emagister for 15 years

Subjects

  • Staff
  • Supervisor
  • Office IT
  • Built Environment
  • University
  • School
  • Project
  • Planning
  • Part Time
  • Full Time
  • Team Training
  • Ms Office
  • IT Development
  • Architectural
  • 3d training
  • 3D
  • Public

Course programme

Supervision 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.

Progression cycle

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.

Architecture research degree MPhil/PhD

Price on request