Architecture, Planning and Landscape MPhil, PhD
- Typical entry requirements
- View full entry requirements
- Course delivery
- On Campus
Course information for entry year:
Overview
We offer a flexible range of opportunities for postgraduate research.
We offer supervision for an MPhil or PhD in Architecture, Planning and Landscape in the following areas:
- Architectural and planning education
- Architectural science and environmental design
- Cities and technology
- Design history and theory
- Environmental economics and environmental management
- Housing and community
- Information technology in construction
- Landscape architecture, landscape planning, landscape design and landscape management
- International urban development and spatial analysis
- Planning processes, policy and urban design
More information about staff specialisms and the School's research can be found on the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape website.
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the UK Government’s guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states. This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact.
What you'll learn
We offer supervision for an MPhil or PhD in Architecture, Planning and Landscape in the following areas:
Architectural and planning education
We conduct research into innovative teaching methods, the integration of theory and practice, and learn from related creative disciplines.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has funded research into effective skills transfer. This activity is strengthened through our involvement in the:
- European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE)
- Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP)
- European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools (ECLAS) including the Le NOTRE EU Network
Architectural science and environmental design
- design-related aspects of construction and the use of buildings
- non-destructive testing
- simulation
- measurement of energy
- environmental performance
Cities and technology
- the changing relationship between utilities, the development, planning and management of contemporary cities
- culture and the built environment, including cultural change and transformation of the built environment
Design history and theory
- architectural history
- architectural theory
- material culture
Environmental economics
- environmental economics
- valuation
- benefit appraisal
Environmental management
Our research in this area covers environmental planning, management, impact assessment, sustainability, and Local Agenda 21 issues.
Housing and community
- social housing
- community development
Information technology in construction
- computer-based information search
- retrieval systems
- building product modelling with a philosophy of taking basic and applied research through to the end users
Landscape architecture, landscape planning, landscape design and landscape management
- landscape architecture theory, philosophy and environmental ethics
- sustainable landscape planning, design and management
- the history and development of the designed and cultural landscape
International urban development
- interpreting and managing change in diverse urban contexts
- improving the environment and quality of life in the cities of the developing world
Spatial analysis
- spatial change
- spatial statistics
- the use of GIS
Planning processes and policy
- contemporary policy and practice issues in planning
- development and urban regeneration, in the context of theoretical developments and European experiences
Urban design
- city design and development
- design control
- urban public space
- public art in cities
- meaning in the built environment
- conservation
- urban regeneration
- urban design
More information about staff specialisms and the School's research can be found on the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape website.
How you'll learn
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
Your development
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) researcher development programme
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.
You’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
Your researcher development programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
Find out more about the Researcher Education and Development programme
Doctoral training and partnerships
There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:
- Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
- Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) / Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA)
Being part of a CDT or DTP/DLA has many benefits:
- they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
- you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
- they’re often interdisciplinary
- your PhD may be funded
If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.
The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:
ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.
You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.
We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.
Facilities
The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape's facilities include:
- studios
- exhibition spaces
- print room
- seminar rooms
- IT suites
Fees, Funding and Scholarships
Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)
Home fees for research degree students
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding and scholarships
Find funding available for your course
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
E-mail: APLPGR@ncl.ac.uk
General enquiries
For more general enquiries, you could also complete our online enquiry form.
Application enquiries
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