UCSI University

Overview of (PhD) Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture in UCSI University Malaysia

The Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture is designed with one thing in mind: The impact it will have on your career. 

By pursuing this credential, you’ll critically evaluate existing designs, theories, building practices and policies on architecture and built environment. You will challenge convention.

And as you address the complexities of the profession and the challenges in the industry, you’ll come up with sustainable solutions that push the frontiers of advanced architecture and its convergence with science and technology. 

You can look forward to learning from – and work alongside – leading thinkers and practitioners who have years of experience in the industry. Opportunities to work with academics from other faculties also excist and you can look forward to a dynamic environment that promotes the cross-fertilisation of ideas.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Issues and Methods of Architecture Research

The candidate will be exposed to the various issues of architecture and will be provided a basic training in writing an academic paper. This subject will be a bi-weekly lecture to be completed within one semester.

Research

Each semester, the candidate is required to have a several discussions with the supervisor to receive feedback and to discuss the progress of the research study.

Prior to graduation, the candidate is expected to publish a minimum of 4 papers in a peer-re-reviewed journal or on a peer-reviewed conference paper. An oral presentation is also required, every semester, in front of an academic audience from the faculty. This is to develop the public speaking ability and knowledge sharing.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. A relevant Master’s degree from an institution of higher learning recognised by Senate.; or
2. Other certificates that are recognised as equivalent to a Master’s degree or other relevant professional qualifications and experience that are recognised by Senate; or
3. Candidates registered for Master’s degree programmes with a minimum CGPA of 3.67 at Bachelor’s degree level may apply to convert their candidacy to PhD programme subjected to having shown competency and capability in conducting research at doctoral degree level and approval by the Senate.
4. For students with a Master’s degree in architecture and its related fields such as interior design/architecture, planning, industrial design and landscape architecture, the minimum CGPA or equivalent is 2.50.
5. For students from the field of anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, philosophy, religious studies, visual arts and communication, the entry requirement would be 3.00 CGPA or equivalent.
6. For students from the field of civil engineering, electronics engineering, electrical engineering and physics, the entry requirement would be 3.00 CGPA or equivalent.
7. Students from the requirements of (5) and (6) who has a CGPA of less than 3.0 but not less than 2.5 must demonstrate past experiences in practice or academic world deemed related to architecture.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• IELTS

Band 5.0

• Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests

154

• TOEFL IBT

42

• Pearson Test of English

47

• MUET

Band 3

• The faculty reserve the right to advise applicants who have met the minimum academic programme’s English Language Requirement to undertake additional English Proficiency courses.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Academic experts, advisors to government policy makers, special consultant to architects, inventors of building products, expert architects in Public Works Department, specialist architects, top management in local authority.

Area of Focus:

• History of Architecture
• Theory of Design
• Cultural Studies of Spaces and Forms
• Behavioural and Perception Studies of Spaces and Forms
• Heritage Architecture
• Architecture Education
• Interior Architecture
• Building Typology
• Housing
• Urban Studies
• Theory of Architectural Practice
• Architecture Communication
• Energy Conservation in Buildings
• Thermal Comfort in Buildings
• Sustainable Building Design and Cities
• Construction Process in Building