Research Degrees

The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning places a high emphasis on its research activity. We have a vibrantly diverse community of scholars and practitioners, many who have taken national and international leadership roles in their fields. The faculty offers the opportunity to pursue research degrees, both MPhil and PhD in four disciplines:

Architecture & Allied Arts

Architectural & Design Science

Design Computing & Cognition

Urban & Regional Planning & Policy

You may elect to study in any of these fields, or to pursue interdisciplinary studies in a combination of fields with the faculty or between the faculty and elsewhere in the university. The University and the Faculty have formal links, including exchange agreements and memoranda of understanding, with institutions throughout Asia, Europe, Scandinavia and North America, these translate into research opportunities for students as well as staff. We support these degrees with a wide range of resources, including extensively equipped laboratories and comprehensive workshop facilities.


The Faculty offers two research degrees; Doctor of Philosophy and the Master of Philosophy (Architecture). These research programs involve study of research methodology and in-depth study by research in a specialised area. A research student undertakes a major thesis supervised by a staff member. It is possible to upgrade from the Master of Philosophy (Architecture) to a Doctor of Philosophy, provided satisfactory progress is made in the first year.

Master of Philosophy-Architecture, MPhilArch
The research masters program allows a candidate to undertake research and advanced specialisation in any of the areas of scholarship and research undertaken by the Faculty. Entry requirements for the MPhil(Arch) include a bachelor degree in a relevant discipline. This degree may be undertaken in any one of the Faculty's research areas and may include the requirement for some coursework (up to a maximum of 24 credit points). The program is generally completed in four semesters full-time (2 years) or eight semesters part-time (4 years). The final thesis for the Master of Philosophy (Architecture) is expected to be in the range of 30,000 – 60,000 words.

It is possible to upgrade from the Master of Philosophy (Architecture) to a Doctor of Philosophy, provided satisfactory progress is made in the first year.

Doctor of Philosophy-PhD
This research degree is awarded for a thesis considered to be a substantial, original contribution to the discipline concerned. Entry requirements include a research masters degree or a bachelors degree with first or second class honours. Alternatively you may be admitted having passed a qualifying examination at an equivalent standard.This examination could be completion of a period of relevant advanced study and research towards a masters degree at The University of Sydney. The PhD is normally completed within eight semesters full time (4 years) or 16 semesters part time (8 years).The final thesis for the Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture) is expected to be in the range of 50,000 – 80,000 words.