Architecture

The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning places a high emphasis on its research activities. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) may be undertaken across the faculty's active research areas: Architecture and Allied Arts, Architectural and Design Science, the Design Lab, and Urban and Regional Planning. The University of Sydney and the faculty itself enjoy strong research links with key institutions throughout Asia, Europe, Scandinavia and North America. The PhD in Architecture, Design and Planning comprises research and writing toward a thesis of 50,000 to 80,000 words. Some coursework may be required or undertaken as elective units of study, but in no case is it a significant component of award requirements for the degree.

For the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, candidates undertake an approved program of supervised, advanced research, which constitutes an original contribution to knowledge. Students will be examined for the degree by completing a body of work presented in one of two forms:

• a substantial written thesis of 60,000-80,000 words that, through a sustained investigation, demonstrates an original contribution to knowledge; or
• a thesis comprising a substantial body of creative work for exhibition plus a written text of 30,000-50,000 words examining the histories and theoretical underpinnings of the creative work, both of which demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge.

For the dual mode (b) above, the length of the written thesis will be agreed through consultation between the candidate, the supervisory team and the Head of Discipline during the probationary period and any changes will need to be approved by the supervisor and Head of Discipline.

Research areas

• Architectural History, Theory and Criticism
• Architectural Design
• Architectural and Building Science and Technology
• Design Lab
• Urbanism

To be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture), you must have completed the equivalent of one of the following in a subject area related to your proposed research area:

• bachelor’s degree with first class or second class honours or,
• master’s degree by research or,
• master’s degree by coursework with an independent research component such as a thesis, dissertation or research project with a minimum overall credit average.
• your academic/educational background and research experience with examples such as an academic transcript
• your CV/resume
• the area of interest for your PhD
• why you believe your research topics align with this supervisor
• IELTS: A minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band
• TOEFL paper-based: A minimum result of 592 overall including a minimum result of 4.5 in Writing TOEFL IBT: A minimum result of 96 overall including a minimum result of 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing

Scholarships

• Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS)
• Research Training Program Fee Offset and Stipend Scholarship (International - formerly IPRS)
• University of Sydney International Scholarship (USydIS)
• Vice-Chancellor International Scholarships Scheme