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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture
Candidates should have a minimum 2:1 at degree level, plus an MA or MArch in architecture or an appropriate subject, or equivalent track record and professional experience in architecture. Contact Professor Gordana Fontana-Giusti for further information email: G.Fontana-Giusti@kent.ac.ukPhD
Full time: Minimum 3 years, maximum 4 year period of registration
Part time:
Minimum 5 years, maximum 6 year period of registration
Studying for a PhD at Kent School of Architecture
The Kent School of Architecture offers part- and full-time research programmes leading to a PhD research degree. The School promotes innovative and interdisciplinary research study in architecture, sustainable urban and peri-urban studies, environmental design, and history and theory.
The main objective is to combine contemporary advanced research with an educational agenda to prepare candidates to practice in a global academic and professional world.
A particular feature of the KSA research degree programme is the wide spectrum of investigation and the possibility of undertaking research by design.
PhD students have access to all University of Kent facilities, and training and events organised by the Faculty of Humanities and the Graduate School. KSA also holds weekly seminars designed for research students.
Each candidate is entitled to two supervisors, one of which can be from another department or faculty (usually the second supervisor).
KSA incorporates the Centre for Research in European Architecture (CREAte), which holds lectures and research seminars, and the Centre for Architecture and Sustainable Environment (CASE), which is active in ESPRC-funded research projects. Staff are also involved with the Architecture Humanities Research Association (AHRA) and give papers at conferences nationally and internationally.
Fees
Please visit the University of Kent finance pages for information on current tuition fees.
Research Fields
Architectural theory from its early texts until present; twentieth century architectural history; nineteenth-century architecture, its theory and its modern influences; architecture of the sixteenth and seventeenth century; sustainable design of city centres (morphological, spatial and functional analysis of urban centres with the emphasis on social sustainability); the role of arts in urban design (the role of film, painting, theatre and other arts in the development of urban design); research regarding young user participation in school design; sustainable buildings by ‘passive’ design; architecture for the extreme environments; digital visualisation; Interactive desig; landscape design and early modernism.
Supervision Staff
The Programme Director is Prof Gordana Fontana-Giusti. Other members of staff available to supervise include: Prof Marialena Nikolopoulou, Dr Timothy Brittain-Catlin and Dr Gerald Adler.
Entry Requirements
Normally a Master's degree in an appropriate discipline or an international equivalent.
Applicants whose first language is not English require:
- IELTS at 6.5 ( which must include a minimum of the following: 6.0 reading, 6.0 writing, 5.5 listening and 5.5 writing).
- TOEFL (internet based) 90 including: 22 reading, 21 writing, 21 listening and 23 speaking
For details of other accepted language qualifications please visit the University of Kent's language requirements page.
Applying
Applications are considered throughout the year, though typically enrolment occurs in September or January.
You will need two academic references before your application can be considered. References must come directly from the referee, and should not be forwarded by the applicant themself.
Please also submit a thorough and well-presented proposal, which should include a bibliography.
You can apply online by clicking the button above or copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://adm.kent.ac.uk/external/admissions/pg_application.php.
Funding - the PhD Graduate Teaching Assistantship.
This is a combined funding and teaching studentship (so you will need to do teaching while you are researching for your PhD – which all of our current scholarship recipients really enjoy!). The amount of the GTA will cover tuition fees at the home/EU rate plus a combined salary and maintenance grant of up to the full UK Research Council rate (This means that International students must pay the difference between the Overseas rate and the Home/EU rate).
The Assistantship is offered on a full-time basis. Students engaged as Graduate Teaching Assistants hold a unique position in the University; they are both registered students in receipt of a scholarship award and employees of the University. As such they hold two mutually dependent agreements with the University of Kent and are required to abide by the terms and conditions of both agreements, as well as having the opportunity to enjoy the privileges afforded them in each scheme. (For full details of the terms and conditions of the GTA please see here: http://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/GTA_T&C.html).
To apply for the GTA you must have a good first degree and Master’s level degree. Please notify the admissions officer on applying that you are interested. All GTA applicants will be expected to attend an interview.
The School has available every year one GTA to award, awarded to applicants enrolling in September full time.
We advise that you browse the Scholarships website to find out information of other sources of funding available, as well.
Contact
For further information please contact either Prof Gordana Fontana-Giusti, the Programme Director, or Miss Victoria Friedman, the Postgraduate Coordinator who will be handling your application.