Program Overview

---

Overview

The Ph.D. in Design, Technology and Society in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture integrates design research with disciplines such as the social sciences, the applied sciences and the humanities. The program will advance new models of research-based practice, including the accommodation of Indigenous-focused research practices, that can be implemented in real world settings.

Quick Facts

• Faculty: Faculty of Applied Science
• Academic Unit: School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture
• Specialization: Design, Technology and Society
• Mode of delivery: In person at UBC Vancouver
• Program Components: Dissertation
• Tuition (First Year):
  • Domestic: $5,626.02
  • International: $9,883.98

Admission Information & Requirements

1) Check Eligibility

Minimum Academic Requirements

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application. Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

• TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based
  • Overall score requirement: 100
  • Reading: 22
  • Writing: 21
  • Speaking: 21
  • Listening: 22
• IELTS: International English Language Testing System
  • Overall score requirement: 7.0
  • Reading: 6.5
  • Writing: 6.5
  • Speaking: 6.5
  • Listening: 6.5

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

• The GRE is not required.

2) Meet Deadlines

See the graduate degree program listing for additional deadline details.

• Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy in Design, Technology and Society (PhD)
• Intake: September 2026
• Canadian Applicant Deadline: 15 January 2026
• International Applicant Deadline: 15 January 2026

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of reference

Applicants have to submit 3 references to apply to this graduate program. Please review our general information on reference letters, including the types of references (e.g. academic, professional) that you may be asked for and how the references will be collected.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest, sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members. Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for this program:

• Applicants should browse faculty profiles and indicate in their application who they are interested in working with. No commitment from a supervisor prior to applying is necessary, but contacting faculty members is encouraged.

Tuition & Financial Support

Tuition

• Fees:
  • Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat:
    • Application Fee: $118.50
    • Tuition per year: $5,626.02
  • International:
    • Application Fee: $168.25
    • Tuition per year: $9,883.98
• Other Fees and Costs:
  • Student Fees (yearly): $1,144.10 (approx.)
  • Costs of living: Estimate your costs of living with our interactive tool in order to start developing a financial plan for your graduate studies.

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

From September 2024 all full-time students in UBC-Vancouver PhD programs will be provided with a funding package of at least $24,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students.

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Design, Technology and Society (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination.

Research Supervisors

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members. Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for this program:

• Applicants should browse faculty profiles and indicate in their application who they are interested in working with. No commitment from a supervisor prior to applying is necessary, but contacting faculty members is encouraged. The following faculty members have full supervisory privileges and are affiliated with this program:
• Abughannam, Rana
• Bass, John
• Byrne, Fionn
• Dahmen, Joseph
• Fujita, Mari
• Gutierrez Monroy, Tania
• Herrington, Susan
• Jacobs, Sara
• Kellett, Ronald
• Liu, Xun
• Lokman, Kees
• Meyboom, Annalisa
• Roecker, Inge
• Roehr, Daniel
• Rysanek, Adam
• Satterfield, Blair
• Soules, Matthew
• Stevens, Sara
• Van Duzer, Leslie
• Vujosevic, Tijana

Related Programs

Same Academic Unit

• Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture (MASA)
• Master of Advanced Studies in Landscape Architecture (MASLA)
• Master of Architecture (MARCH)
• Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture (MARCLA)
• Master of Engineering Leadership in High Performance Buildings (MEL)
• Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
• Master of Urban Design (MUD)

Further Information

Specialization

Design, Technology and Society This specialization integrates design research with disciplines such as the social sciences, the applied sciences and the humanities.

Faculty

Faculty of Applied Science

Academic Unit

School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture

Program Identifier

VGDPHD-DTS

Program Website

The program website provides detailed information about the program, including admission requirements, program structure, and research areas.