Architectural History PhD, MPhil

This programme comprises three years of full-time research supervision under an expert in your chosen subfield of architectural history, followed by an 80,000-100,000-word supervised dissertation.

You will be strongly encouraged to attend advanced courses in Methods of Architectural Research and Historiography. You will also have the opportunity to gain invaluable teaching experience as a tutor in survey courses.

In consultation with your supervisor, you will:

• situate your project as a productive addition to the practice of architectural history
• craft a feasible plan for domestic and/or international research
• enjoy intensive writing coaching as well as the chance to present your findings
• receive targeted feedback at every stage of your project’s development
• receive support in applying for fellowships and guidance on career paths open to you after graduation

The research culture is supported by seminar and public lecture programmes, as well as discussion groups.

Supervision

All of our research students benefit from Edinburgh College of Art's (ECA) interdisciplinary approach and all are matched with two research supervisors.

Your second supervisor may be from another discipline within ECA, or from somewhere else within the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences or elsewhere within the University - according to the expertise required.

On occasion, more than two supervisors will be involved, particularly where the degree brings together multiple disciplines.

To find out more about identifying prospective supervisors, please consult “Before You Apply” on the PhD in Architectural History ECA web page:

• Architectural History (PhD/MPhil) programme website

Research Training

You are required to take a course (or courses) in research training during your degree at the University.

This may take the form of a semester-long course offered within ECA at the University, consisting of workshops on research methodologies designed for students working in art, architecture, and allied disciplines.

However, we encourage PhD candidates in Architectural History to take courses in Methods of Architectural Research and Historiography.

Alternatively, you may take a combination of the short postgraduate skills training courses offered by the Institute for Academic Development (IAD), or any other research methods training suggested by their supervisor.

• [ECA]: Edinburgh College of Art

The research programme in Architectural History is served by high-quality library facilities. All students in the programme are provided with 24-hour-accessible study space, as well as access to well-equipped multimedia laboratories, photography and exhibition facilities.

The PhD in Architectural History will equip you for several career paths, including:

• academia
• museums
• industries that document and interpret the built environment
• media
• the public sector

All PhD supervisors are committed to offering guidance on professional opportunities that follow graduation from the programme.

The PhD by Distance is available to suitably qualified applicants in all the same areas as our on-campus programmes:

• Art
• Design
• History of Art
• Music
• Architecture
• Landscape Architecture

The PhD by Distance allows students who do not wish to commit to basing themselves in Edinburgh to study for a PhD in an ECA subject area from their home country or city.

There is no expectation that students studying for an ECA PhD by Distance study mode should visit Edinburgh during their period of study. However, short term visits for particular activities could be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For further information on the PhD by Distance please see the ECA website:

• PhD by Distance at ECA

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

Normally a UK masters degree, or its international equivalent. We will also take any professional experience into account.

If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of your relevant professional experience.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Tuition fees

Featured funding

• Edinburgh College of Art scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding