• Research

Built Environment PhD

Overview

Overview

Our PhD in Built Environment offers research expertise in an academic setting which will prepare you to address different aspects of the built environment in depth. Whether you are interested in architectural technologies, construction project management or building surveying, our expert supervisors are on hand to support you.

Our School of Computing and Engineering academics have strong and varied research backgrounds, from investigating the properties of reinforced concrete to looking at road foundations using ground penetrating radar systems; from investigating the impact of future climate change on buildings to looking at decay and cavities in tree trunks using ground penetrating radars - we offer a wealth of research expertise in a broad range of topics.

Find out more about the current research in Built Environment taking place at UWL.

See a list of potential PhD supervisors and read about their expertise, in the 'Supervisors' section lower down the page.

Cranes above a city

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Built Environment with us?

Why study Built Environment with us?

What our students say…

I would thoroughly recommend this course, owing to the transparency and engagement from the staff, the breadth of content covered, and the pragmatically oriented approach to teaching to fit around the students' lives. The library services were very good, and offered an abundance of comfortable and silent work space, with plenty of IT equipment.

James Parker
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A female student sitting down with a mentor
study full time or part time

Research Repository - Built Environment

The Repository is a digital archive of research output by our academics and research students.

buildings

World-leading Research

The University of West London has been recognised by the Government's Research Excellence Framework (REF) for its exceptional research work.

Research REF PHD World-leading
Course detail

Course detail

With academic staff with extensive professional experience within a vast array of engineering disciplines, we provide a stimulating and supportive environment where you will benefit from: 

  • peer feedback and discussion   
  • a series of master-classes and lectures from industry figures   
  • support by a supervisor and second supervisor suited to your project. 
About PhD study

This course is available for you to study either on a full-time or part-time basis and you have the flexibility to switch should you need to.

A PhD is founded on independent research.  You will undertake a systematic and in-depth exploration of your chosen topic to produce a substantial body of knowledge and make an original and important contribution to the subject area.  

The support provided by your supervisory team will be vital to your student experience and scholarly advancement.  You and your supervisors will have regular one-to-one meetings which will provide you with opportunities to develop your research topic and discuss your progress. 

School of Computing and Engineering's Research Centres and Groups

Our School of Computing and Engineering is a world leader in academic research, with two Research Centres:

Our outstanding research also encompasses a number of Research Groups including:

Find out more about our Research Centres and Research Groups.

Our research record

View our Engineering Future Sustainability Journal  to see the work of students and academics who are making an impact both locally and globally through their research findings.

Location

Based in the heart of Ealing, west London, you can make use of the excellent transport links to travel to the the capital or further afield - ideal for attending research meetings and networking events.

Got a question?

If you would like guidance or more information about studying for a research degree, you can contact Professor Ali Bahadori-Jahromi.

To enable you to enhance your professional profile, we support you throughout your research degree by:

  • providing research seminars
  • organising doctoral events and activities
  • facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities
  • encouraging and supporting publication and dissemination of your research
  • offering opportunities to gain teaching expertise and experience.

We provide structured research training, expert supervision, and an environment where you can discuss your research with other PhD students and researchers.

We run seminars in research methods from the Graduate Centre, as well as an ongoing series of events and activities organised by Schools and Colleges. Specialist help with academic English for students for whom English is not their first language is available.


We offer access to industry-standard equipment and software to aid your research investigations, including specialist development environments.

Our engineering laboratories, include:

  • a concrete testing laboratory
  • a geotechnical laboratory
  • a structural laboratory (pictured)
  • a hydraulics laboratory
  • two electronics laboratories.

Find out more about our Laboratory Facilities

Architecture studio

The 125 square-metre architecture studio is a dedicated space for the Architectural Design and Technology students to work on their projects.

The Paul Hamlyn Library

The Paul Hamlyn Library provides an extensive range of books, journals and digital resources, PC and Mac workstations and a variety of study spaces. Find out more about what the Paul Hamlyn Library has to offer.


We contribute to national and international initiatives and promote collaboration and networking opportunities. We also encourage and support you to publish and disseminate your research in academic journals and via presenting papers at conferences.

We run an annual conference for doctoral students, where you are encouraged to present a paper about your research. As well as being an opportunity to discuss your work with other students, the conference is a chance to gain valuable experience in presenting your research and participating in open discussions with academic peers.

You will also find other opportunities such as postgraduate student seminars and forums within your specific subject area.

Community

Once you start a PhD course at UWL, you become part of our research community. You will have access to a postgraduate common room, located at our Ealing campus on St Mary’s Road, where you will meet fellow researchers from other subject disciplines offering scope for collaborations or simply to discuss ideas, allowing you to be part of a vibrant research environment.


Entry requirements

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

  • a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
  • a Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.

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We look for students with:

  • dedication
  • enthusiasm
  • a passion for their chosen subject.

You will also have a well thought through and persuasive proposal.

 

6.5 IELTS or above

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

  • a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
  • a Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.
  • Competence in written and spoken English is a pre-requisite for entrance to this programme.
    An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 (with no element under 6.0).

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We look for students with:

  • dedication
  • enthusiasm
  • a passion for their chosen subject.

You will also have a well thought through and persuasive proposal.

 

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

Funding for postgraduate students usually comes from one or more of a range of key sources:

  • research councils
  • charities and trust funds, including those funded by the UK government
  • higher Education institutions
  • overseas governments (international students only)
  • employers
  • professional and career development loans
  • self-funding (including family funds).

Find out more about funding opportunities.

Examples of most of these types of funding are included on the postgraduate studentships website, (with the exception of funding you may be able to obtain from your employer and self-funding).

Bursaries and scholarships

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit.
See our PhD scholarships, scholarships and bursaries.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

For any overseas students, your first port of call should be grant-awarding bodies in your own country (eg The Ministry / Department of Education) and your local (or nearest) office of the British Council.

The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you - they also produce the Sources of funding for international students guide.

Supervisors

Supervisors

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

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Some of our recent graduates took up postdoctoral fellowships or lectureships at UWL and other universities after graduation. Engineering consultancy firms are the second most popular destination, followed by policy-making organisations, such as central governments.  

During your PhD, you will also be learning transferable core skills that apply to jobs both in and out of academia, including:

  • written and oral communication
  • Research and information management
  • public speaking   
  • project management
  • leadership
  • critical Thinking
  • collaboration
  • analysis and problem-solving
  • conflict resolution
  • negotiation.

By the end of your research degree you will be able to articulately apply these skills to enhance your career path.

How to apply

How to apply

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.