Architecture by Practice (PhD) Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

Our PhD by Practice engages with professional practice and wider industry including architects, designers, managers and executives. You'll harness York's research expertise and industry connections to develop practice-based research into architecture, urban design, planning and built environments.

Your research

You'll work under the supervision of York School of Architecture researchers and develop novel practice-based research projects and investigations, using their practice as empirical investigation and case studies.

We collaborate with disciplines across the University and external partners to challenge current practices and enrich expertise across four interconnected areas:


• Architectural heritage, historic cities and urban regeneration



• Community architecture, housing and social policy



• Sustainable architecture, ecological landscape, and Net-zero cities



• Creative technologies, AI and virtual futures.



Distance learning

We also offer the option of enrolling in a PhD in Architecture by distance learning. You'll have the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world. You'll attend online research skills training sessions in your first year and have supervision and progression meetings online.

You will need to attend two weeks of on-campus attendance per academic year. This includes registration and induction, training, meetings with the thesis advisory panel and our annual PhD Progression Day.