Program Overview

Overview of the Built Environment Research Degrees - PhD

The Built Environment PhD at Birmingham City University is a research-based program that allows students to contribute innovative ideas to their field and make a difference in society. The program is designed to help students achieve a career in one of the wide range of built environment disciplines, including surveying, real estate, civil engineering, planning, and others.

Research Interests

The university's built environment research is wide-ranging, covering topics such as:

• Construction plant and machinery
• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Urban form and post-catastrophe reconstruction
• Sustainable and innovative materials for construction
• Construction waste management
• Automation in construction
• Water management, urban drainage systems, and flood resilience
• Real estate property and asset management, risk
• Planning and development law
• Urban change: post-catastrophe reconstruction, urban form, conservation, and design

Fees and How to Apply

The tuition fees for the PhD program vary depending on the mode of study and the student's status. The fees for the 2025/26 academic year are as follows:

• UK students:
  • Full-time: TBC
  • Part-time: TBC
  • Distance learning: TBC
• International students:
  • Full-time: Ł15,120
  • Part-time: Ł7,560
  • Distance learning: Ł9,450

Entry Requirements

To apply for the built environment PhD research degree, students should have or expect to be awarded a Master's degree in a relevant subject area from a British or overseas university. Exceptional candidates without a Master's degree but holding a first-class or upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject area may be considered.

Course in Depth

The PhD program is designed to help students develop cutting-edge research in their area of interest, with the support of their research supervisor and fellow research community. The program includes:

• A Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice, which is a taught and compulsory part of the PhD program
• Regular opportunities to present and share work with other research students and staff
• Support for publishing research and presenting at conferences

Employability

The PhD is a well-established and valued academic qualification within the sector and is highly likely to enhance career prospects. The program is designed to help students achieve a career in one of the wide range of built environment disciplines, including surveying, real estate, civil engineering, planning, and others.

Facilities and Staff

The university's facilities reflect the work environment that students will enter as they start their career. The facilities include:

• Software: Autodesk, CoStar, Blue Beam, Revu, QS Pro, Synchro, Navisworks, and CostX
• Built Environment Space in Millennium Point: a huge resource of software-equipped laptops for loan on campus
• Concrete and Hydraulics Labs: dedicated facilities for civil engineering students
• Studio Space: an open workspace where students can work on their design projects

Modes of Study

The PhD program is offered full-time or part-time, with the following durations:

• Full-time: 3-4 years
• Part-time: 4-7 years
• Distance learning: 4-7 years

Assessment

The PhD program is assessed through:

• Regular progress reviews with supervisors
• Annual reviews involving a written paper, presentation, and interview with an independent panel of experienced supervisors
• A viva (oral) examination after submitting the thesis

Placements

Some PhD topics may allow students to work with other institutions and companies as part of their research. However, this is rare for the built environment PhD program.