Handbook

A Practice-based PhD is available across all disciplines represented in the Faculty of Built Environment: Architecture, City Planning, Computational Design, Construction Management and Property, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

In the same way as a traditional PhD, the primary aim of the Practice-based PhD is to contribute new knowledge to the field through systematic investigation. It is expected that the candidate will generate a new body of ideas-based/creative work (the Project) and a written work (the Dissertation) that together will make an original contribution to knowledge within the field.

The Project may take one of a number of different forms, for example: architectural design, urban design and planning, construction methods and technologies, industrial design, interior design and landscape design. It could also cross a number of disciplines. The chosen medium can also vary, for example it might take the form of objects, drawings, plans, prototypes, models, creative text, digital fabrication, film, virtual reality or a combination of these. The requirement, however, is that the Project can be fully documented in electronic form for the purposes of examination.

The Dissertation is a substantial research-based academic essay, of between 40,000 to 50,000 words, that bears a direct relationship to the Project. Together the Dissertation and the Project comprise the PhD thesis.

In order to assist commencing students in developing an appropriate research methodology, all PhD candidates are required to undertake a course in their first session - BENV7020 Research Seminar. Candidates undertaking a Practice-based PhD will also be required to undertake a specialised Thesis Writing Workshop run by UNSW Learning Centre.

See UNSW Higher Degree Research Learning Outcomes.