Architecture

Overview

Our research explores the latest methods, technology and ideas being used to build the smart cities of the future and preserve places from the past. We investigate the digital design tools being used to shape tomorrow's communities, explore the cultural and economic forces affecting our cities, and work to understand the cultural importance of some of our oldest buildings.

The voice of the community is often missing from the design phase of a building – we're looking at how interior spaces are designed by examining the way people use and interact with them. We're also investigating how architects and urban designers might draw, write, and re-think ways to represent interior spaces.

As a postgraduate researcher, you'll work alongside our existing researchers, many of whom are former and practising architects and designers. You can join our collaborations with academic, charitable, community and commercial groups, work on projects in areas such as architecture, interior design, urban design and conservation – play your own part in transforming our expertise into impact.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our Graduate School, alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Graduate School will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers training, workshops and events.

As a postgraduate research student, you'll have a space to work as part of PhD community, have access to School and Faculty workshops, and be able to make use of the University's computer labs, and animation and VR facilities.

You can also become part of the School's Media Hub, participate in the School's Project Office activities, and become an Associate Member of the Faculty Research and Innovation groups that align with your subject area.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once your postgraduate research degree is complete, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification tells potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

After researching with us, our successful postgraduate research candidates have gone on to work in a variety of fields – including as research fellows, lecturers, environmental consultants, and urban consultants.