What will I learn?
The Architecture research programme focuses on practice-led and interdisciplinary research with tangible public and social impact. Working at the intersection of theory, research, media and critical-spatial-practices, the MPhil/ PhD programme in Architecture supports experimental practice-led and interdisciplinary theses aiming at tangible public and social impact. The programme fosters architectural research at the intersection of history and theory, critical ecologies, new materialism, and digital culture. The candidates will be investigating the diverse ways in which architects, artists, filmmakers, curators and other cultural producers have negotiated crises associated with globalization, migration and statelessness, the hauntings of empire and the colonial present, new digital technologies, and the growing biopolitical conflicts around ecology and climate change. We strongly encourage candidates to think about the performativity of space, or architectural forms and practices in their interrelation to the climate crisis, social movements and institutional change. We support written academic research in the history and theory of architecture and new media of exploration and documentation. We are especially interested in practice-led research, which could involve an architectural project, a work of heritage preservation, community work, an artistic practice, an exhibition, or a film production. Our programme is relevant to diverse research careers in academia, spatial practice, curation, publishing and critical conservation. We encourage establishing real world collaborations with industry-based research groups, leading design practices, policymakers, social and environmental justice groups, human rights organisations and cultural institutions.
Which department am I in?
School of Architecture
Entry requirements
For international students
The programme welcomes applications from candidates from across the world and of all ages, including those with academic and professional backgrounds.Applications are considered in terms of quality of proposal, quality of practice (where appropriate), readiness to undertake a research degree at this level and supervisory capacity.Portfolio requirements-Your portfolio is a showcase of your work as an architect, artist or practitioner and can be made up of images, videos or writing examples. Your portfolio helps us to better understand your application and allows you to show evidence of your ability and motivation to undertake a given programme.Generally, we're looking for you to demonstrate your:Creativity, imagination and innovationAbility to articulate the intentions of the work Intellectual engagement in areas relevant to the workTechnical skills appropriate to the workAccess to particular archives, databases, or museum collections that could be part of your research projectPotential contacts with NGOs, activists, or practitioners in specialised fields of research and observationPotential to benefit from the programmePlease submit a CV listing your academic journey, practice experience, writing projects and other information about yourself that you would like to have considered as part of your application.Your journey: application videoPersonal statementPlease provide a 300-word written personal statement that addresses the following points:Introduce yourself, your interests and your motivations for applying to the Royal College of Art, and to this programme in particular.Briefly summarise any educational background and professional experience to date that will support your application.Tell us what you want to do in the future. Research proposal
