PhD opportunities
Research is vital to our University: it enables us to contribute new knowledge, underpins our creative and enterprise thinking and ensures we are delivering leading-edge teaching. Our researchers are making significant discoveries and partnering local, national and global organisations to find solutions to contemporary commercial, scientific and social issues.
Many of our academic staff engage in research and/or professional practice, and we have a thriving community of postgraduate research students.
Our specialist areas
We currently specialise in a range of subject areas within the built and natural environment, including:
- Community engagement and enablement
- Knowledge management and expertise in the construction industry
- Local sustainability
- Post-catastrophe urban reconstruction
- Rural-urban fringe economy and management
- Stakeholders and community engagement
- Urban conservation.
Our work focuses on human intervention in the physical environment, with the aim of improving current and future conditions. We are particularly interested in work that explores the problematic gaps between professions, between planning strategy and policy and between the academic and professional worlds.
PhD study
We welcome inquiries in the fields of planning, surveying, property and new estate - please check the Research Centre websites listed below to find details of academic staff interests to see how your interests and research ambitions align with ours.

Property, Planning and Policies
Find out more >>

Transforming Building Lifecycle
Find out more >>

Global Environmental Challenges
Find out more >>
For general discussions about the studying for a research degree contact the School's Associate Head (Research), Professor Peter Larkham (peter.larkham@bcu.ac.uk). You can also view our PhD area, which includes helpful blogs, fees and finance advice and more.
Applications
Formal applications should be made on the University's online application form, which can be found under the 'How to Apply' tab of the Built Environment PhD course page. The form should be accompanied by an initial research proposal of 1,000-2,500 words (fully referenced) explaining your ideas about topic and how it might be studied - this allows us to match your ideas with staff experience and interests. To discuss the application process contact DRC.CEBE@bcu.ac.uk.
Built Environment PhD Studentships
PhD Classic Doctoral Training Grant Funding Information
This funding model includes a 36 month fully funded PhD Studentship, in-line with the Research Council values, which comprises a tax-free stipend paid monthly (£18,622 2023 – 2024) per year and a Full Time Home Fee Scholarship (£4,712 for 2023 – 2024) for up to 3 years, subject to you making satisfactory progression within your PhD.
International students will be required to pay the difference between the International Fee Rate and Home Fee Rate. All applicants will receive the same stipend irrespective of fee status.
Application Closing Date:
23:59 on Sunday 14 January 2024 for a May 2024 start.
Shortlisting and Interview Dates:
Monday 15 January 2024 – Wednesday 31 January 2024.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete the project proposal form, ensuring that you quote the project reference, and then complete the online application where you will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement as a pdf document.
You will also be required to upload two references, at least one being an academic reference, and your qualification/s of entry (Bachelor/Masters certificate/s and transcript/s).