University of Cambridge: Architecture

Summary

The Cambridge Department of Architecture has been Ranked 2nd in the Times Higher Education Supplement World Rankings for Architecture 2025. It is one of four Cambridge University disciplines to have achieved first place in their respective Units of Assessment in the Research Excellence Framework. A doctoral degree at the Department of Architecture offers the opportunity for independent research under the supervision of a departmental staff member. Unless the candidate is part of a research group, the research is undertaken entirely by the candidate on their own, with regular supervision on progress with their supervisor. The department welcomes applications from qualified postgraduates with a suitable background in architecture, science, history and theory, and/or engineering to undertake research towards a PhD in areas such as Urban Environmental Design and Technology, Computational Social Sciences, Digital Media Design and Communication, Design, Technology and Natural Materials, Urban Planning, History and Theory of Architecture and Urbanism, Urban Studies, and other related fields. However, the department cannot accept candidates for whom no supervisor is available. The department does not offer a taught PhD programme. Instead, it admits applicants who meet the academic admissions criteria and whose research interests match those of an available academic staff member willing to act as the student's supervisor. In addition to the research and skills training programme and undergraduate teaching opportunities offered by the Department of Architecture, candidates have the opportunity to attend numerous training and personal development courses offered by the university. The examination constitutes the oral examination of a thesis not exceeding 80,000 words for the PhD on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty.

Learning Outcomes By the end of the programme, candidates will have acquired excellent skills, experience, and knowledge to undertake postdoctoral work (research and teaching) or other related professions.

Continuing To continue to read for the PhD following an appropriate Master's degree, students must achieve a pass in the MPhil by Research or an overall total score of at least 70% in the MPhil by Advanced Study course. Continuation is also subject to the approval of the research proposal and the availability of an appropriate supervisor.

Study type	Research
Level	RQF Level 8
Entry requirements	Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Masters (Distinction). If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country. A first-class or high II.i honours (at least 67%/3.6/4.0 GPA or equivalent) undergraduate Bachelor's degree is expected, as well as a Master's degree (at least 70% or equivalent) in architecture or a related discipline. The Master's degree should be an MPhil or equivalent, not a Professional Master's (MArch or equivalent). Students who do not have a Master's degree or who hold a Professional Master's degree would be expected to take an MPhil first, and if they gained a satisfactory mark, they could then potentially proceed to a PhD.
Location	Cambridge University The Old Schools Trinity Lane Cambridge CB2 1TN

Summary

The Cambridge Department of Architecture has been Ranked 2nd in the Times Higher Education Supplement World Rankings for Architecture 2025. It is one of four Cambridge University disciplines to have achieved first place in their respective Units of Assessment in the Research Excellence Framework. A doctoral degree at the Department of Architecture offers the opportunity for independent research under the supervision of a departmental staff member. Unless the candidate is part of a research group, the research is undertaken entirely by the candidate on their own, with regular supervision on progress with their supervisor. The department welcomes applications from qualified postgraduates with a suitable background in architecture, science, history and theory, and/or engineering to undertake research towards a PhD in areas such as Urban Environmental Design and Technology, Computational Social Sciences, Digital Media Design and Communication, Design, Technology and Natural Materials, Urban Planning, History and Theory of Architecture and Urbanism, Urban Studies, and other related fields. However, the department cannot accept candidates for whom no supervisor is available. The department does not offer a taught PhD programme. Instead, it admits applicants who meet the academic admissions criteria and whose research interests match those of an available academic staff member willing to act as the student's supervisor. In addition to the research and skills training programme and undergraduate teaching opportunities offered by the Department of Architecture, candidates have the opportunity to attend numerous training and personal development courses offered by the university. The examination constitutes the oral examination of a thesis not exceeding 80,000 words for the PhD on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty.

Learning Outcomes By the end of the programme, candidates will have acquired excellent skills, experience, and knowledge to undertake postdoctoral work (research and teaching) or other related professions.

Continuing To continue to read for the PhD following an appropriate Master's degree, students must achieve a pass in the MPhil by Research or an overall total score of at least 70% in the MPhil by Advanced Study course. Continuation is also subject to the approval of the research proposal and the availability of an appropriate supervisor.

Study type	Research
Level	RQF Level 8
Entry requirements	Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Masters (Distinction). If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country. A first-class or high II.i honours (at least 67%/3.6/4.0 GPA or equivalent) undergraduate Bachelor's degree is expected, as well as a Master's degree (at least 70% or equivalent) in architecture or a related discipline. The Master's degree should be an MPhil or equivalent, not a Professional Master's (MArch or equivalent). Students who do not have a Master's degree or who hold a Professional Master's degree would be expected to take an MPhil first, and if they gained a satisfactory mark, they could then potentially proceed to a PhD.
Location	Cambridge University The Old Schools Trinity Lane Cambridge CB2 1TN

Summary

The PhD in Architecture is a three year research degree offering the opportunity for independent research under the supervision of a departmental member of staff. Unless the student becomes a member of a research group, the research is undertaken entirely by the candidate on their own, with regular supervisions on progress with their supervisor.

The Department welcomes applications from graduates to undertake research towards an PhD degree in most areas or architectural research, but is unable to offer places to candidates for whom no supervisor is available. Applicants are admitted who meet the course requirements and whose research interests match those of an available member of the academic staff.

Please note that the Department does not offer a taught PhD programme, unlike, for example, many North American Universities.

Course Structure & Examination

The PhD in Architecture is a three year programme which commences in October each year. It is also available on a five year part-time basis. Students submit their dissertations at the end of their third full-time year (or part-time equivalent) and will be invited to attend an oral examination up to three months after submitting.

Study type	Research
Level	RQF Level 8
Entry requirements	A 1st class or a high 2i honours degree in Architecture or a related discipline, and a Masters degree with merit (if a merit category exists).
Location	Cambridge University The Old Schools Trinity Lane Cambridge CB2 1TN

Summary

The Master of Architecture is a course that is dedicated to a design-based analysis of the relationship between environmental and socio-political considerations, and the wider historical, cultural and economic aspects of architecture and the city. Although based on a rigorous studio programme and wide-ranging series of lectures and seminars, the essence of the course is a research agenda that is developed by individual students and tested through architectural propositions. It expects each student to ground these propositions in current areas of discourse and to detail in full with the ‘real-life’ factors influencing their realisation. The M.Arch delivers intensive teaching in the qualitative and quantitative aspects of architecture and urbanism, in parallel with supervised design development, case study analysis, and discussion of the cultural and technical aspects of the subject. The multi-disciplinary nature of the course and the exchange of expertise that is encouraged between students of a variety of backgrounds, and national origins, makes the M.Arch a unique forum in which to explore some of the most pressing architectural problems of our time.

The programme positively encourages students to develop complex architectural proposals that meet RIBA/ARB criteria for Part II exemption and to acquire knowledge and develop and apply research skills in the following areas:

• role of environmental and socio-political issues in architecture and urban design;

• The wider environmental, historical, socio-cultural and economic context related to architecture and cities;

• The building science and socio-political theories associated with architecture and urban design;

• Modelling and assessment of building and urban design;

• Monitoring and surveying of buildings and urban environments;

• Human behaviour, perception and comfort, and their role in building and urban characteristics;

• Research methods and their application through academic and design methods.

Study type	Taught
Level	RQF Level 7
Entry requirements	Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK High II.i Honours Degree. All students must have completed an undergraduate degree carrying ARB/RIBA Part I exemption or equivalent in architecture and be able to present a portfolio. For those students who have completed the Cambridge BA(Hons) Architecture course and obtained 65% overall, and 65% in the portfolio, will be accepted on the course if they can identify a suitable project and confirm the availability of a supervisor.
Location	Cambridge University The Old Schools Trinity Lane Cambridge CB2 1TN