Research areas

You can undertake a research degree – the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – in any of our research areas:

• architectural design
• architecture history and theory
• architectural science
• design
• urbanism.

Applying for admission

1. Determine eligibility and suitable course

To be eligible to pursue postgraduate research study you will need previous research experience and an academic record that demonstrates exceptional perfomrance. You need to have undertaken a significant research project or thesis in your previous university-level studies.

This could be the equivalent of:

• an Australian honours degree
• a master’s by research degree
• a master’s by coursework with a thesis component (dissertation)

2. Develop your research proposal

• Choose Your Topic: Think carefully about what you want to research.
• Develop a research proposal to share with potential academic supervisors.
• Clearly explain your research ideas, why they are important, and how they align with your supervisor’s research.
• Expect Changes: Your initial proposal might change as you progress.

See proposal outline

3. Before you submit your application, you must find an appropriate supervisor.

Find a supervisor within the University whose academic background aligns with your research. You may visit Research Supervisor Connect or Find a Researcher.

• Contact a research supervisor via email and provide details of: your academic/educational background and research experience with examples such as an academic transcript your CV/resume the area of interest for your PhD why you believe your research topics align with this supervisor

• In conjunction with your supervisor, review and refine your preliminary research proposal. The research proposal should be of at least 500 words and outlines the research subject area, objectives and significance of your research.

• If you intend to study part-time towards a PhD, you will also need to supply: evidence that shows you will have sufficient time available to plan and carry out the research under the supervision of the University, and complete the course within the maximum period allowed for a part-time PhD enrolment a declaration from your employer (if relevant) confirming that you will be permitted to take the time required to effectively pursue your studies.

4. Submit your official application online.

Postgraduate research degree intakes occur in Research Period 2 (March) and Research Period 3 (July).

5. Applications are made via the University's online application portal How to apply for postgraduate research (sydney.edu.au). When you are ready to apply, select the `Apply Now' button on the right hand side.

6. Scholarships to support your degree

Search for a scholarship - Scholarships (sydney.edu.au)

When you submit your application, you can elect to be automatically considered for the Research Training Program (RTP) stipend. The stipend is competitively awarded and is based on academic merit and research potential.

Scholarships can be a big help in funding your research or helping you with living costs while you do your research. Some scholarships are specific to a research project or discipline, and many are assessed on academic merit and research potential.

Admission requirement

To be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture, Design and Planning), you must have completed the equivalent of one of the following in a subject area related to your proposed research area: bachelor's degree with first class or second class honours or, master's degree by research or, master's degree by coursework with an independent research component such as a thesis, dissertation or research project with a minimum overall credit average. Applicants who do not meet these admission requirements may be issued an offer of a place to the Master of Philosophy (Architecture, Design and Planning).

Outstanding candidates who successfully complete up to one year full-time or equivalent part-time of the University of Sydney Master of Philosophy (Architecture, Design and Planning) may apply for transfer into the Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture, Design and Planning) and be granted credit for work already completed: with approval from the supervisor and school meeting all higher degree by research progression requirements providing evidence that their research is of a sufficient scope and depth to sustain a doctoral thesis.

See Master of Philosophy (Architecture, Design and Planning) progression and completion requirements. 

Credit for previous study

For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.