Built Environment Research Degrees - PhD
Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
2026-02-01 | - |
2026-05-01 | - |
Program Overview
Built Environment Research Degrees - PhD
Overview
A Built Environment PhD can be a pathway to a career in a wide range of related professions, especially in management roles – or in the academic world. If you’re already in such a role, the PhD is a major piece of personal development, developing new knowledge and building skills for your next career step. Birmingham City University has been a major centre for built environment education in the region, and PhD study builds on our expertise and professional and industry networks.
What's covered in this course?
A PhD enables you to follow a programme of self-directed, independent study, supported by experienced supervisors who are themselves experts in their area. We may use industry experts to support some projects, and others may be run in full collaboration with an industry partner.
Why Choose Us?
- Expert staff supervisors, keen to help their students succeed
- Excellent links with industry and built environment professions, both to support your research and your career progression
- Research grounded in traditional built environment subjects but also keen to build cross-discipline links to shape the future built environment
- Encouragement and support for you to publish your work
- Opportunities to support and teach other students, including bringing your new research into their education
- A range of specialist software, facilities and working environments tailored to specific project needs
Research Interests
Current interests
Our built environment research is wide ranging. Our work in construction plant and machinery had four-star, world leading, impact. We are developing new approaches to Building Information Modelling (BIM) including applications to heritage buildings. We have developed ‘serious games’ for public consultation and training in planning and environmental management, which have been used by government, local authorities, schools and other agencies. We have a world-leading reputation in urban form and post-catastrophe reconstruction. We are developing new construction materials and techniques such as timber laminates. We are working on building energy use and management.
Current interests
We welcome enquiries relating to the built and natural environment, including planning, development, real estate, civil engineering, surveying, facilities management, conservation, and urban form and history.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Award: PhD
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode: Full Time
- Duration: 3-4 years
- Fees: £5,006 in 2025/26
- Mode: Part Time
- Duration: 4-7 years
- Fees: £2,503 in 2025/26
- Mode: Distance Learning
- Duration: 4-7 years
- Fees: TBC
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Award: PhD
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode: Full Time
- Duration: 3-4 years
- Fees: £15,120 in 2025/26
- Mode: Part Time
- Duration: 4-7 years
- Fees: £7,560 in 2025/26
- Mode: Distance Learning
- Duration: 4-7 years
- Fees: £9,450 in 2025/26
Entry Requirements
To apply for our built environment PhD research degree you should have, or expect to be awarded, a Masters degree in a relevant subject area from a British or overseas university.
Exceptional candidates without a Masters degree, but holding a first class or upper second class Bachelors degree in a relevant subject area, may be considered.
We also welcome enquiries from potential PhD researchers with appropriate levels of professional experience.
Postgraduate funding
Graduate Scholarship
If you are a BCU graduate enrolling onto a PhD programme for the first time, you could receive a 20% fee reduction via our Graduate Scholarship.
Doctoral loans
Government-backed loans of up to £29,390 are available to UK, Irish and eligible EU nationals studying postgraduate doctoral courses in any subject area.
PhD studentships
PhD studentships are PhD funding opportunities supported by the University and/or organisations, where your research will be actively used in overcoming real-world problems. These vary from year to year.
Course in Depth
Why study a PhD?
Are you keen to contribute innovative ideas to your field? Looking to solve problems, discover something new, and make a difference to society?
We have a vibrant research community here at Birmingham City University, with many talented postgraduate researchers developing and exchanging knowledge across their fields.
Conducting a PhD will allow you to develop cutting-edge research in your area of interest, with the support of your research supervisor and fellow research community.
The PhD Journey
Full-time students are expected to complete within 3-4 years, whilst part-time students may take 4-7 years. In your first year (two years for PT students) you will spend time reviewing the field, refining your research proposal and projected plan, and developing key topic-specific research skills.
Modes of Study
Our PhD programmes are offered full-time or part-time. These modes of study ensure that we can create a PhD research plan around your lifestyle needs, even if you are in full-time employment or overseas.
Full-time PhD Research: three to four years
As a full-time PhD research student we expect you to spend much of your time using facilities on campus and contributing to our research culture. You may spend periods of time away from campus collecting data (‘fieldwork’ on site or using libraries and other facilities). You will usually spend at least 37 hours per week engaged in research.
Part-time PhD Research: four to seven years
You would choose part-time PhD research if you opt to study while in employment or if full-time study is impractical.
You will be encouraged to use the campus facilities and attend research events when you can and may often work from home. Electronic contact with supervisors is possible but face-to-face contact has great benefits.
Employability
Employment Opportunities
The PhD is a well-established and valued academic qualification within the sector and is highly likely to enhance career prospects. For those wanting to follow a career in teaching and researching in Higher Education, a PhD is highly desirable.
Value of a PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy or PhD is recognised worldwide and is often an essential requirement for those wishing to follow an academic or research career in industry or commerce. Our built environment PhD research degree has been designed to help you achieve a career in one of the wide range of built environment disciplines – surveying, real estate, civil engineering, planning and others – in industry, research or academia.
Facilities & Staff
The facility our students value most is not actually on campus, but is the location of the campus in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside opposite the new High Speed 2 station construction, and minutes from dozens of fascinating live projects within the city centre.
Birmingham as it changes constantly on our doorstep really is our ‘living lab’. By simply looking out the window of our classrooms you’ll be able to witness live projects as they’re happening around us. You’ll constantly be inspired by dozens of fascinating case studies just from walking from the station to the campus.
The facilities on offer to our students reflect the work environment you will enter as you start your career. Learn more about what we have to offer below.
Software
Recognising the rapidly evolving digital built environment we are constantly reviewing software to best fit with the professions of the future.
At course level, students engage with the latest and most appropriate software for their future professions. Real Estate students with CoStar, the leading industry database supporting valuations. Quantity Surveyors using Blue Beam, Revu and QS Pro, and along these Quantity Surveyors and Construction Managers use Synchro and Navisworks for 4D and CostX for 5D work. For Architectural Technology visualisation is important where Enscape, Lumion, Sketch-Up, AutoCAD, Revit and Navisworks Manage are available.
Built Environment Space in Millennium Point
The Built Environment Space in Millennium Point is available to all students with a huge resource of software-equipped laptops for loan on campus. For off campus working, much of the software we use comes with free student licences and all students will have access to the Windows Virtual Desktop, allowing access to our range of software from anywhere where the internet is available.
The Studio Space that we've created in Millennium Point is an open workspace where students can work on their design projects. We have all student work and examples that will change every week or month depending on what stage of a project we're at. And it's an open space for working on projects.
This is where our Architectural Technology students in particular, spend a lot of their time.
Built Environment facilities
Birmingham City University
Overview:
Birmingham City University (BCU) is a large and diverse university located in the heart of Birmingham, England. It boasts over 31,000 students from over 100 countries, emphasizing practice-based learning.
Services Offered:
BCU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Accommodation:
Seven halls of residence with various on-campus and inner-city living options.Financial Support:
Scholarships and financial aid programs to help students fund their education.Career Services:
Support for graduate employment, self-employment, volunteering, mentoring, and graduate events and training.Learning Support:
Resources and assistance for students with learning difficulties.Library Services:
Access to the university library for alumni and students.Student Union (BCUSU):
A student-led organization providing representation, activities, and support.Student Life and Campus Experience:
BCU offers a vibrant student life with numerous opportunities to explore:
Life in Birmingham:
The university provides information and resources for students to navigate life in the city.Campus Facilities:
Access to industry-standard facilities, innovative learning spaces, and social spots.Virtual Tours:
Immersive 360-degree tours of the campuses to experience student life virtually.BCU Boost:
A financial support package designed to simplify student life, including travel incentives, financial management tips, and discounts.Key Reasons to Study There:
Practice-based Learning:
BCU focuses on practical skills development and real-world application of knowledge.International Opportunities:
The university offers international study opportunities and a diverse student body.Employability Focus:
BCU emphasizes career readiness and provides resources to help students find employment.Gold for Student Experience:
BCU has received the highest possible rating for student experience in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).Academic Programs:
BCU offers a wide range of academic programs across various faculties: