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

The Property, Planning and Policies research group focuses on the complex phyiscal interrelationships between people, space and the environment. 
Find out more >>

Transforming Building Lifecycle

Advancing knowledge related to the building life-cycle through the application of digital technology and process transformation as well as the application of novice management approaches.
Find out more >>

Global Environmental Challenges

The Global Environmental Challenges Research Group addresses global social-environmental challenges and opportunities at various scales.
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. 

See below for details of active studentships: