Program Overview

Program Overview

The EDAR Doctoral Program is a part of the EPFL Doctoral School, offering a comprehensive and structured approach to doctoral studies in Architecture and Sciences of the City.

Program Structure

• The program consists of a qualifying year, during which doctoral students take mandatory courses, find a thesis director, develop a research plan, and defend it at the candidacy exam.
• The subsequent three years are dedicated to developing the thesis work and taking optional courses.
• The final oral exam must be scheduled between 24 and 48 months after enrollment.

Contracts and Enrollment

Three different contracts are possible for doctoral candidates:

1. Enrollment at and employment by the EPFL.
2. Enrollment at EPFL and employment by a third party.
3. External doctoral candidates visiting at EPFL.

Annual Progress Reports

Doctoral candidates and their thesis directors must submit an annual progress report to EDAR, providing a testimony of the progress achieved and the overall quality of the work.

Research Areas

The EDAR Doctoral Program focuses on Architecture and Sciences of the City, with affiliated labs and research expertise in various areas.

Application and Admission

Open positions are posted on the webpage, and new doctoral candidates are strongly encouraged to read the internal regulations of the EPFL Doctoral School and the regulations of the EDAR Doctoral Program.

Duration and Completion

Completion of a thesis typically takes 48 months, including the qualifying year and the subsequent three years of thesis work.

Program Requirements

• Mandatory courses (4 ETCS) during the qualifying year.
• Optional courses (10 ECTS) during the subsequent three years.
• Development of a research plan and defense at the candidacy exam.
• Annual progress reports.
• Final oral exam between 24 and 48 months after enrollment.