United KingdomArchitectural Space & Computation MPhil/PhD is associated with the world-renowned Space Syntax Laboratory. With its empirical base, this programme is aimed at researchers seeking to advance knowledge by studying the relations between spatial patterns and social outcomes, and between architectural design knowledge and computation.
There are two principal streams which both lead to a PhD in Architecture:
– Space and Society in Buildings and Cities, in which students use space syntax theories and methods to study the effects of spatial design on aspects of the social, organisational and economic performance of buildings and urban areas.
– Architectural Computation, in which students apply technology to research into the built environment, bringing innovative computational analytical methods to the heart of the design process.
STRUCTURE
Students pursue independent research projects supervised by a principal and secondary supervisor, culminating in a doctoral thesis of up to 100,000 words. Student topics are aligned to staff members’ research interests, which range from media architecture, design interaction and architectural computation to workplace design, spatial narratives and urban design.
Research supervision is complemented by a programme of fortnightly seminars throughout the academic year – some led by students, others by experts from UCL and around the world. In the past year, these have included Professor Howard Davis from University of Oregon and Justin De Syllas of Avanti Architects.
In their first year, students will often audit selected modules from Space Syntax: Architecture & Cities MSc/MRes, benefiting from the rigorous training in theories and methods that these provide.
Architectural Space & Computation MPhil/PhD is also associated with the InnoChain European research network and the Engineering Doctorate in Virtual Environments, Imaging & Visualisation. Students on these programmes will typically take some of their taught modules jointly with students at The Bartlett.
SUPERVISORS
As an MPhil/PhD candidate, you will have two doctoral supervisors: one from the school, while the other could be from another school at The Bartlett or elsewhere in UCL, depending on your research area.
To discuss a possible MPhil/PhD within the Space Syntax Laboratory, it is recommended that you have a look at the profiles of the supervisor with whom you would like to work and email them a preliminary paragraph or two about your research interests.
ABOUT THIS DEGREE
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) consists of a piece of supervised research, normally undertaken over a period of three years full-time. Assessment is by means of a thesis, which should demonstrate your capacity to pursue original research based upon a good understanding of the research techniques and concepts appropriate to the discipline.
Initially, you will be registered for the MPhil degree. If you wish to proceed to a PhD, you will be required to pass an ‘Upgrade’ assessment. The purpose of the upgrade is to assess your progress and ability to complete your PhD programme to a good standard and in a reasonable time frame. It is expected that a full-time student will attempt upgrade within 18 months of registration.
Research supervision is complemented by a programme of fortnightly seminars throughout the academic year – some led by students, others by experts from UCL and around the world.
In your first year, you will audit selected modules from Space Syntax: Architecture and Cities MSc/MRes, benefiting from the rigorous training in theories and methods that these provide.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
The MPhil/PhD programme is one of independent research but your Principle Supervisor will establish a timetable of regular meetings with you at which all matters relating to your work can be discussed; such meetings should take place at least once per month.
Architectural Space and Computation MPhil/PhD
With its empirical base, this programme is aimed at researchers seeking to advance knowledge by studying the relations between spatial patterns and social outcomes, and between architectural design knowledge and computation.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a relevant subject, is essential. Exceptionally: where applicants have other suitable research or professional experience, they may be admitted without a Master’s degree; or where applicants have a lower second-class UK Honours Bachelor’s degree (2:2) (or equivalent) they must possess a relevant Master’s degree to be admitted. We expect any successful application to include a sufficiently strong and convincing proposal, and those holding a Master’s degree are typically well prepared to provide one. Relevant work experience is highly desirable.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
APPLICATIONS
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
Application deadlines
Prospective MPhil/PhD applicants are encouraged to send an informal research enquiry before applying. This should be sent directly to the academic you would like to supervise you. Please refer to the staff list on the department website and see UCL’s Institutional Research Information Service (IRIS) for staff profiles. Please attach to your e-mail a referenced research proposal of around 1,000 to 2,000 words and your curriculum vitae (CV).
Further details on how to apply to an MPhil/PhD can be found on the UCL Graduate Admissions website.
For more information see our Applications page.
APPLY ONLINE CHECKLIST
UCL is not able to support applications made through agents. UCL expects that the email ID and password that you create will be used by you solely for the purpose of submitting your own application(s) to study at UCL.
Before you apply online, you should satisfy a number of conditions. Please read the statements below and if you satisfy them, please then click the ‘Accept and apply’ button and you will be transferred to the Apply Online pages.
– I have checked whether there is an application deadline and I will submit my application before any applicable deadline. I understand that references must be uploaded before any deadline.
– I can provide a valid email address for each referee and I have contacted both referees to advise them they will receive a request to upload their reference via a secure website. I understand that my application will be put on hold and will not be considered by UCL until references have been uploaded.
– I am able to submit my transcript in electronic format (.doc, .docx, .jpg, .pdf) at the same time as my application. This document will less than 2MB in size.
– If an application processing fee applies to my programme, I am able to pay the fee online as part of my application, or arrange for the fee to be paid on my behalf, and have read and understood the Terms and Conditions. I understand that if a fee is required, my application is not submitted to UCL before the fee is paid.
– I understand that if I am applying for a research programme or a taught programme which is exempt, that no fee is required.
– I will submit my own application and am not using an agent to do so on my behalf.
Further information on UCL’s processing of student personal data can be viewed in our Prospective Students (Enquirers and Applicants) Privacy Notice.
ALL APPLICANTS
A step by step guide to applying for a research programme at UCL.
1.- Identify the degree programme at UCL you wish to study
All graduate research programmes offered at UCL are listed in the research degrees section.
Research programme directory
2. Investigate research opportunities across UCL
UCL is a large, multi-faculty university and it may be that your area of interest is represented in more than one department or in one of our multidisciplinary institutes or centres. There are two main types of research degree opportunities:
Studentships
Some funded PhD programmes will be advertised as studentships. This is more common in Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine (STEM) areas. These opportunities may be listed on our studentships page, although some academics prefer to only advertise them on their websites. Each studentship will stipulate its own application process and entrance requirements.
Studentships are also offered in UCL’s doctoral training centres. Many of these studentships are funded by the UK Government and are only available to UK/EU students.
Speculative opportunities
Most opportunities, and potential funding, are not packaged as studentships or advertised. Exceptional students, that meet the entrance requirements, are therefore encouraged to be proactive to identify opportunities with UCL academics whose recent research closely matches their interests.
There are three main ways to identify an appropriate supervisor to contact:
– Browse research programmes to find centres of research in your area of interest. Click through to the department or centre website to find staff profiles.
– Look on UCL’s Institutional Research Information System (IRIS) where you can search for relevant academic units and potential supervisors by keyword. Not all academics are listed in IRIS but it is a good place to start.
– Search our online research repository (UCL Discovery) where all UCL’s research papers are published, subject to approvals. If you identify a research paper that particularly interests you it is likely that one of the authors would be a suitable research supervisor.
If an academic is very impressed with your research experience and proposal they may be able to help you to identify sources of funding, including from their own, or departmental, research funds. There are also UCL scholarships that they can nominate you for.
3. Making a research enquiry
All prospective applicants, except those applying for advertised studentships, are encouraged to send an informal research enquiry. This should either be sent directly to the academic you are interested in working with or the departmental contact.
Making a research enquiry helps define your interests, contributes to making your application successful, and also serves to ensure the identification of the best possible supervisor for your needs.
You can find contact details for academic departments at the bottom of relevant programme pages. Alternatively you can find Graduate Tutor information on the UCL Doctoral School website.
More information on how to contact potential supervisors and write a research proposal can be found in our guidance document.
4. Submit a formal application
Finally when you and your prospective supervisor are happy with your research proposal, you should submit a formal application.
5. Await decision
You will be able to track the progress of your application via the UCL Applicant Portal (log in required). If you are required to submit anything further after your application has been submitted you will be notified by email and in the portal.
