The AA School’s PhD programme combines advanced research with a broader educational agenda, preparing graduates for practice in global academic and professional environments. Set up in the late 1970s the programme now operates as an autonomous, cross-disciplinary unit supported by all of the school’s postgraduate departments. Current research encompasses many topics of the school’s postgraduate programmes in the areas of architectural theory and history, architectural urbanism, emergent technologies and design, and sustainable environmental design. Along with the traditional format of the text-based PhD dissertation, candidates can now explore alternative thesis formats incorporating design research as part of the formal argumentation and output of their research projects.

The preferred entry route to the PhD programme is through one of the AA School’s post-professional MA, MSc or MArch courses which provide the theoretical grounding and appropriate tools for engaging in advanced research in their respective fields. Applicants from outside the AA must hold a postprofessional master’s degree in their proposed area of PhD research. PhD studies at the AA are full-time for the entire duration. Starting with a preparatory period, candidates acquire specialised knowledge and skills while developing their research proposals. Approved research proposals are submitted for registration initiating the formal period of PhD study, which has a normal duration of three calendar years with a maximum of four years. Candidates work under the guidance of two approved supervisors. Regular events include research seminars, workshops and presentations of research work involving new and continuing research students. An international event is organised annually by research students in the summer term on topics of current interest within the school.

PhD degrees at the AA School are administered by the Architecture & Urbanism Management Group in partnership with the Open University. AA students pursuing PhD degrees are also registered with the OU.

PhD/MPhil Supervisors

Pier Vittorio Aureli
Lawrence Barth
Paula Cadima
Mark Cousins
Jorge Fiori
Hugo Hinsley
George Jeronimidis
Toni Kotnik
Marina Lathouri
Rosa Schiano-Phan
Patrik Schumacher
Brett Steele
Thomas Weaver
Michael Weinstock

PhD/MPhil Programme Director

Simos Yannas