Research in Architecture and the Built Environment

The international multi award-winning School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Huddersfield aims is to foster the next generation of creative researchers, and boasts a dynamic and interactive learning community that will enable postgraduate research students to nurture, develop and exploit their talents. The School has approximately 100 PGR students, from a growing number of different nationalities.

We offer the following research programmes in Architecture and the Built Environment:

• MA by Research (Full-time and part-time)
• MSc by Research (Full-time and part-time)
• PhD (Full-time and part-time)

Visit course finder for information on these courses

You will find listed on the course pages several ‘research topics’ which have been designed by experienced PhD supervisors. It may be that you are interested in pursuing an aspect of one of these projects, so do please consider approaching the named academic to discuss your ideas in further detail.
 
You may also want to design a PhD project of your own. We very much welcome applications in the following broad research areas:

• Architectural Design
• Architectural History and Theory
• BIM
• Conservation
• Construction Project Management
• Design Management
• Disaster Resilience and Reconstruction
• Healthcare in the Built Environment
• Lean Construction
• Modelling, Simulation and Serious games
• Process and Performance Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Sustainable Environmental Design and Energy Efficiency
• Urban Design
• Transdisciplinary research in architecture and the built environment

Within the School of Art, Design and Architecture we offer 2 dedicated research rooms and a comprehensive training programme covering a wide range of research methodologies. In addition, as a PGR student you will have access to English language support; the opportunity to apply for funding to support attendance at research-related conferences, training, workshops and public engagement events; a teaching assistant preparation programme; and be provided with the opportunity to assist with teaching under and postgraduate students within the School. 

For additional help and guidance on the application process, please contact: sadapgradmin@hud.ac.uk. Applications can be made via: http://www.hud.ac.uk/researchdegrees/howtoapply/

If applying to study for a research degree you will need to enclose a research proposal of approximately 500 words. This should be attached to the research application form and should be word processed and written in good English. Particular attention will be paid to clarity of expression and also the structure, coherence and flow of argument. The following provides guidance on what to include:

• Working title
• Introduction: the introductory section serves to delineate the general area within which the research is to be undertaken, to outline the manner in which the proposal is to be developed and, hopefully, to stimulate the reader’s interest
• Literature and justification: a review of previous research relevant to the area and a statement of the research problem. Essentially, this constitutes the justification for wishing to undertake the research project.
• Aims of the research: a simple statement of what the research is seeking to achieve. This should be fairly focused to demonstrate that you have narrowed down the topic to something that is both achievable and manageable.
• Objectives: a number of bullet points of intended objectives to demonstrate an understanding of the steps required in order to meet the aim of the research
• Proposed Research methodology: this details how you intend to carry out the research, setting out what techniques and measurement procedures are to be used, the reasons for their selection, and the means of their implementation.
• References: this should cite all the materials used in the preparation of the proposal.