Program Overview

Planning PhD

Overview

The discipline of Planning is located in the School of Natural and Built Environment. In recent years the performance of the discipline has been quite exceptional in a range of surveys, e.g. National Student Survey, Times Higher Education Survey and Guardian League Table. Given this, Planning at Queen’s is very highly ranked within the UK’s Russell Group Universities.

Our research programme is based on the concept of spatial planning and whilst our empirical work is partly grounded in the region, it is built on strong international, interdisciplinary and theoretical references. Our particular strength is the staff team who have built a track record in scholarly and applied research and a wide-ranging portfolio of publications, research grants and Doctoral studentships. Planning academics have built an international reputation and attracted a stream of major research funding linked to our main areas. We value the connection between our research and teaching programmes and the application of our empirical work in a learning environment, and continues to innovate and develop teaching programmes to reflect a rapidly changing market place, problem and policy context and changes in professional standards.

Mode of Study/Duration

Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Subject Summary

Queen’s is ranked 14th out of 43 universities in the UK for Construction, Surveying and Planning (Guardian University Guide 2023), and Planning is ranked 11th in the UK in the latest Complete University Guide 2024. You’ll join a strong postgraduate group whose research strengths centre on two objective areas: interpreting the spatial planning implications of ethnic territoriality and community cohesion, connecting our analysis of contested places within the UK with international scholarship; and developing critical insights into the sustainable creation of place and the role of participatory governance in regulating the shaping of social and environmental space.

Planning Highlights

Global Opportunities

• The discipline has an impressive track record in winning major UK and international funding from bodies including INNOVATE UK, RCUK, EU, GRCF in areas from core ‘science’ research to public engagements, training, capacity building and digital modelling.

Student Experience

• Postgraduates form an intrinsic part of our research community and are actively involved in the School's cross-disciplinary Research Groups. Visit our School website and read about the exciting research projects being undertaken by our staff and by our PhD students.
• In addition to support from expert staff in Planning, the University’s flagship Graduate School provides postgraduate students with a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary hub to support their personal and professional development.
• QUB’s Researcher Plus scheme provides PhD students with an opportunity to develop skills which are transferable beyond their research degrees, and the Researcher Plus award provides them with official recognition for the skills acquired in addition to their research.

Key Facts

• Planning is one of 7 subjects at Queen’s ranked in the top 10 in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2024)
• In terms of research performance, Queen’s is ranked 12th in the UK for Architecture, Built Environment and Planning (REF 2021/Times Higher Education)

Student Testimonials

• Visit our School website and read about the exciting research being undertaken by our current PhD students.

Course Content

• This independent research is complemented by postgraduate skills training organised by Queen’s Graduate School, and other internal and external training courses organised through your supervisor.

Research Information

• Staff in Planning have built a strong postgraduate group which is effectively integrated into our research projects, teaching and School activities. We offer dedicated support and mentoring within the School to complement training available from the wider University. Moreover, we have the staff expertise within Planning and our School to offer comprehensive support to postgraduate students across a range of projects in spatial planning.
• Current projects involve a range of studies on contested spaces that build on our strong international research partnerships in North America, South Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The global challenge of development is also reflected in projects on climate change, marine spatial planning and urban design.
• We encourage and support fieldwork in international settings and current students have conducted their empirical studies in Bangladesh, Australia and the USA.

Career Prospects

• Many of our PhD graduates have moved into academic and research roles in Higher Education while others go on to play leading roles in educational practice, the public sector or within NGO’s. Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability. For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on . Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.

People Teaching You

• Dr Cristian Silva
• Dr Edwar Calderon
• Dr Heather Ritchie
• Dr Laura Michael
• Dr Philip Boland
• Dr Sara Ferguson
• Dr Urmi Sengupta
• Neil Galway
• Prof Wesley Flannery
• Professor Brendan Murtagh
• Professor Geraint Ellis

Learning Outcomes

• A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field.
• Undertaking a research degree also enhances a student’s written and oral communication skills, and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.

Course Structure

• You will carry out original research under the guidance of your supervisory team. There is no specific course content as such.
• This independent research is complemented by postgraduate skills training organised by Queen’s Graduate School, and other internal and external training courses organised through your supervisor.
• You will normally register, in the first instance, as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake an MPhil or a PhD is delayed until you have completed Differentiation.
• Differentiation takes place about 9-12 months after registration for full time students and about 18-30 months for part time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the Differentiation Panel. The panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification.
• To complete with a doctoral qualification you will be required to submit a thesis of no more than 80,000 words and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.
• A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required.
• The PhD is open to both full and part time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or consultancy.
• Full time students are often attracted to research degree programmes because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest.
• The part time route is a suitable option for those unable to study for a PhD full time. This may be due to family commitments or those already in employment. On the former, studying part time for a PhD can be very accommodating in juggling different responsibilities. On the latter, part time candidates often choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities.

Assessment

• Assessment processes for a research degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually.
• This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.
• The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.

Feedback

• Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.

Learning and Teaching

• This independent research is complemented by postgraduate skills training organised by Queen’s Graduate School, and other internal and external training courses organised through your supervisor.

Entrance Requirements

• The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

• For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI) £5,006
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) £5,006
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) £5,006
• EU Other £20,500
• International £20,500

Funding and Scholarships

• PhD Opportunities
• Funded Doctoral Training Programmes
• PhD loans
• International Scholarships

How to Apply

• Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
• Find a supervisor
• If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
• To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.
• You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.