Built Environment

Description

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A research degree offers you the opportunity to develop your research skills and prove yourself as a researcher. Queen's is committed to the enhancement of research training and teaching and offers postgraduate research opportunities across all fields of study.

Research Strategies
The Centre for Built Environment Research (CBER) integrates the research activities of both Civil Engineering and Architecture. In today's environment where huge quantities of natural resources and energy are being used by the construction industry, close co-operation between architects and engineers is vital to support a sustainable construction sector and, consequently, a sustainable society.
The Centre deals with cultural heritage, civil engineering infrastructure and the testing/monitoring of the built environment by combining architecture concepts and design with material technology and structural engineering principles and its research interests include:

* Advanced construction materials and technologies
* Durability of structural materials and technologies
* Environmentally sustainable urban development
* In situ tests for assessing structures and materials
* Intelligent sensing and communication technologies in the built environment
* Structural behaviour and composites
* Sustainable materials and building technologies

Research Strengths
By integrating architecture technology and design with engineering principles and practices, CBER uniquely crosses the boundaries of two disciplines. The Centre is continually building on its reputation for international excellence and, by contributing to both fundamental and applied research in the built environment, it successfully competes with the best in the world.

Special Features
* CBER at Queen's is one of the leading UK centres offering postgraduate taught programmes and research opportunities in built environment.
* The interdisciplinary taught and research programmes in CBER are supported by members of the Centre with a multidisciplinary portfolio of specialisms in structures and architecture as well as geography, physics, chemistry, computing, instrumentation, biotechnology and metallurgy.

The Centre has ongoing opportunities for postgraduate research on a number of prominent themes in both Architecture and Structural Engineering:

* Advanced structural materials
* Arching action in structures
* Architecture and urban design in developing countries
* Architecture, culture and behaviour
* Climate effects on the built environment
* Construction management
* Durability and service life of structures
* Information and communication technologies in built environment
* Metallurgy
* Non-destructive testing and monitoring of structures
* Novel cement systems
* Structural composites
* Sustainable planning, design and construction

Contents

You may study for the degree of PhD on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisor appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration and you will not normally be allowed more than four years in which to submit your thesis. If you are a part-time student you must satisfy the University that you will be able to meet your supervisor regularly, typically at least once a semester. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of six years of part-time registration and you will not normally be allowed more than eight years in which to submit your thesis.

For both full-time and part-time students, time spent in the achievement of a Masters degree will not be counted as part of the specified period of enrolment as a PhD student.

Requirements

Admission to a research degree (PhD/MPhil) normally requires at least a good second class Honours degree or an equivalent qualification. If you are not a graduate, you may still be admitted provided you hold a diploma or other qualification which the University deems to be the equivalent of a degree. After your initial registration, you will proceed to PhD study, pending successful completion of your School's differentiation process.

English Language requirements

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) requires universities to verify that non-EEA applicants have achieved a specified minimum level in English before we are permitted to issue the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which you need to apply for a Tier 4 visa. As part of this process, the University must see evidence (normally the result of a UKBA-approved Secure English Language Test) of an applicant's English Language competence in the four components of language learning ie listening, reading, speaking and writing. Alternative qualifications may be acceptable to meet the UKBA's English language requirements, for example a degree or equivalent qualification from an institution in a country which is deemed by the UKBA to be majority English-speaking.

EEA nationals, and non-EEA applicants who are nationals of a country deemed by the UKBA to be majority English-speaking, will not be required to submit further evidence of English Language for visa purposes, but may be asked for evidence of English competency to satisfy University course entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa.

The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

Funding

Applicants from the UK and other EU countries
Please note: Where it states 'UK residents' qualifying residency and citizenship/nationality criteria apply.

* Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) Postgraduate Research Studentships

Funded by the Department of Employment and Learning, these are offered in most subject areas.

UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only

* DEL (CAST) Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology

These awards are for specific research projects in collaboration with an industrial sponsor in the following Schools/areas: Biomedical Sciences in School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences; School of Biological Sciences; School of Pharmacy; School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering; School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the School of Mathematics and Physics.

UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only

A CAST studentship may also include a contribution from the industrial collaborating body.

Visit the School websites listed above for details concerning potential DEL CAST

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Awards are available for both Masters and Doctoral degrees in humanities subject areas.

Applicants should apply via Queen's for funding and should not apply directly to AHRC.

UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only

Queen's School Funding Opportunities

Some Schools have funding available for postgraduate PhD or taught Masters courses.

North-South Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students undertaking a recognised Masters or the first year of a PhD programme (taught or research) in the other Irish jurisdiction.

Applicants from outside the EU
If you are applying to Queen's from outside the EU, you are advised to explore fully the funding opportunities for studying in the UK available from sources in your own country. Some closing dates are as early as a year before commencing studies, so please make sure to apply in good time.

Some of the main awards are listed:

Department for International Development (DFID) Shared Scholarship Scheme

This award is for specific one-year taught postgraduate courses. The award cover tuition fees, a maintenance grant and travel costs. Only students from developing Commonwealth countries are eligible to apply.

British Chevening Awards

* The Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds a number of British Chevening scholaships for postgraduate study, mainly for one-year taught Masters degrees.
* Candidates must apply directly to the University for admission before applying for a Chevening Scholarship. Contact the British Embassy, British High Commission or British Council Office in your own country.

Applicants from USA
If you are a US citizen, you are eligible to apply for the following awards tenable at Queen's

George J Mitchell Scholarships

Fulbright Scholarships

Mary McNeill Scholarship (for US and Canadian citizens undertaking MA Irish Studies