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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

One to one supervision

Students can usually expect to have around four one-hour supervisions per term with their principal or other supervisors. They will also be appointed an advisor with whom they can arrange to meet on an informal basis if need be.

The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision.

Seminars & classes

Cambridge has a wealth of resources from which students can develop and consolidate the skills they need to produce a successful thesis and the methods and technology to achieve this effectively.

The Faculty provides an integrated MPhil and PhD training course, which PhD students are required to attend, where relevant, weekly research seminars and talks, peer monitoring within reading and discussion groups, and practical skills training (photography, building survey).

Students are encouraged to attend the fortnightly City Seminar series, the Martin Centre lunchtime seminar series, The Cambridge Architectural History Seminars, Ax:son Johnson Centre for the Study of Classical Architecture Seminars, and the University of Cambridge Architecture Society (ARCSOC) talks. There are also seminar series run by specific research groups in the department, which you are encouraged to attend. 

Lectures

Attending other lectures is optional, but students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of activities in the Department of Architecture and other faculties relevant to their research.

Students will also have access to courses offered by the Language Centre, the Social Sciences Research Methods Programme, and the Personal and Professional Development.

Small group teaching

Students are encouraged to attend research skills seminars and workshops for two hours weekly.

Taught/Research Balance Entirely Research

Feedback

Students will be provided with feedback via supervision and the Supervisor's termly reports.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The thesis should not exceed 80,000 words. Two examiners examine the thesis; the assessment includes an oral examination, which is usually held at the Faculty or can be held remotely.

Footnotes, references, and text within tables are to be counted within the word limit, but captions, appendices and bibliographies are excluded. Appendices (of no determined word length) may be permitted subject to the approval of the Degree Committee. Appendices should be confined to such items as catalogues, original texts, translations of texts, transcriptions of interviews, or tables. Permission to include such appendices must be requested well in advance of the submission of the final thesis.

Other

Candidates will be reviewed on a regular basis as part of the PhD.

Students will submit a First-Year Report in the third term (or part-time equivalent). Two examiners will assess their reports, and candidates will also undertake an oral examination. Candidates must pass to be registered and progress into the second year.

During your seventh term (or part-time equivalent), students will be required to present their work at the annual PhD Conference. The progress will be assessed and documented in a short report.

In the ninth term (or part-time equivalent), students will have an interview with their Supervisor(s) and one other University Teaching Officer from within the Department or any other appropriate assessor approved by the Supervisor to monitor their progress and ensure that they are on track to submit your thesis within three years.

Candidates will submit a logbook of their research activity at the end of each year.

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Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Architecture

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Michaelmas 2025

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
May 16, 2025
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2025

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Jan. 7, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 16, 2024

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2025, Lent 2026 and Easter 2026.


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