Architecture MPhil/PhD

All research strands encourage interdisciplinary research projects in collaboration with other Schools and external partners. Both MPhil and PhD programmes support traditional academic research, but also strongly emphasises practice-led and experimental research, preparing graduates for diverse career opportunities in academia, leading architectural and urban design practices, human rights organisations, NGOs, as well as social and environmental coalitions.

We welcome unique and innovative research proposals and offer the option of aligning with the thematic specialisms within the School of Architecture, including Architecture & Media, City Design, Social Movements, Display Cultures, Urbanism, Emergent Pedagogies, Interior Urbanism, Material Matters and Adaptive Re-use, Domesticity, Gendered Space, Cognition & the Sublime, Narrative Environments and Ornamentation.

The MPhil/PhD Architecture programme is pedagogically configured to help researchers impact at local, national and international levels, working at the intersection of conceptual and applied research. We also support and supervise partnerships between researchers and business – from consultants for leading brands, cultural organisations, design practices, manufacturers, public sector agencies, charities and community groups – with a view to helping to develop and implement design-driven sustainable strategies that result in tangible, real-world outcomes.

The RCA also offers an Architecture MRes, a one year, full-time taught degree that provides effective preparation for PhD study.

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*The RCA was named the world’s leading art and design university for the seventh consecutive year (2015-2021) in the QS World University subject rankings.