Research degrees

The department of Planning has a dynamic and thriving research degree programme with close to thirty full and part time students studying for MPhils and PhDs.

The department is a major centre for planning research and this, along with the quality of our research training and support, has been recognised by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). We see our research students as playing a vital part in the department and they are integrated into all aspects of academic life through research groups, seminar series and teaching (where appropriate). They also form an important part of the wider research environment in the Faculty of Design, Technology and Environment (which includes the School of Architecture, Centre for Urban Design, department of Real Estate and the Oxford Institute of Sustainable Development (OISD). With close to sixty research students and a stimulating cross disciplinary research culture the School adds to the richness of the experience of our students.

Our students are researching a wide diversity of topics which reflects the diversity of expertise of the department. These topics include the changing role of the planner in the UK, homestay tourism in Thailand, historic conservation policy in Malaysia, sustainable tourism planning in Egypt and refugee women and language training in the UK, among others. We are particularly keen to recruit students whose research interests lay in the following areas of specialism:

• environmental impact assessment
• strategic environmental assessment
• planning and climate change
• regeneration, neighbourhood renewal and urban competitiveness
• sustainable tourism
• historic conservation
• planning history
• urban design
• young people and urban space
• participation and governance
• transport and sustainable urban form
• trans-national migration
• urban growth and change in developing countries

We also welcome applications from students with related topics.

The Department maintains close links with practice alongside this research experience to ensure our expertise remains grounded in current realities. These links take the form of consultancy, joint research projects (and occasionally studentships) and staff membership of professional and policy related bodies.

As well as supervision, the Department delivers a research training programme which has been acknowledged by the ESRC as providing high quality doctoral training. This also forms part of a Masters in Research programme. The Department is therefore recognised for the receipt of ESRC 1+3 and +3 studentships and Case awards and for studentships from other UK research councils, including AHRC, EPSRC and NERC.

The Department offers

• A supportive and stimulating environment
• Extensive expertise in key planning and sustainability topics
• A substantial and high quality doctoral training programme
• Opportunities for full and part-time study
• Good facilities including office accommodation, IT facilities, library resources at the departmental and university levels

Click on the following links to find our further information on: Supervision and Training, Facilities for Research Students, Fees and Funding, How to apply.

Our Research Degrees

MPhil and PhD degrees

The programme offers five routes to study for an MPhil or a PhD degree:

• MPhil (2 years minimum full-time)
• MPhil transferring to PhD (3 years minimum full-time)
• PhD Direct, possible for students with a recently completed Masters Degree (usually in English) in an area closely related to the proposed research topic (2 years minimum full-time)
• PhD by creative work, involving a major creative component (one recent example is map and illustrated guide to a long distance footpath based on Coleridge's poem The Ancient Mariner)
• PhD by Published Work, for potential students linked to the Department who have existing high quality research publications.

All these awards are achieved by individually supervised research supported by the doctoral training programme. The University's Graduate Office pages provide further information on these different routes, including application and enrolment, degree structure and regulatory requirements.

Masters by Research

The Department also offers a Masters Degree by Research in either Urban Planning, Urban Design or Environmental Impact Assessment. This is a taught post-graduate qualification which combines courses on advanced research methods, substantive modules in an area of specialism and an extended dissertation. It therefore provides an excellent foundation for further PhD study.

Mode of Study

UK/EU students can study on a full-time or a part-time basis. Students from other countries usually study on a full-time basis, but in some cases special arrangements may be made for part-time study either during extended fieldwork visits or under a joint supervision scheme (see below). Please note that Visa and entry requirements for non-EU students are constantly changing and can affect your mode and length of study. Consult the Graduate Office web-pages for further information.

The University does not deliver research degrees by distance learning, however where appropriate supervisory arrangements can be made with another University, overseas students studying on a full-time basis may be able to spend part of their period of study in the UK and part in their own country. Full-time students are required to enrol for the following minimum periods: MPhil - Two years, PhD - Three years. Part-time students would normally expect to be enrolled for a minimum of three years for an MPhil, and four years for a PhD degree. Further information can be found on the Graduate Office pages.

Facilities for Research Students

Each full-time student will have their own office space for the period of their study. This includes desk, storage space a PC and easy access to a printer and telephone. The School has studio space, advanced IT facilities and workshops for use by research students. Part-time students are given shared usage of desk space.

The University has a number of PC rooms equipped with the current technology and all students have internet access and email accounts. There is a well-stocked library and research students can also take advantage of the facilities offered by the University Graduate Office. Students can also use the University's sports facilities at the Sports Centre. Brookes students are eligible to become members of the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford.

Fees and Funding

"How can I fund my studies?" is one of the most important questions facing prospective research students. Information on fees is available here. Financial support towards these and living costs may be available from a variety of sources.

When studentships become available, information on these will be posted on our website or jobs.ac.uk. These may also include studentships funded by UK Research Councils and cover both tuition fees and a maintenance grant. The Department is also able to offer occasional fee-waivers which cover the UK/EU element of the fee, but do not cover maintenance. When available, these will be advertised in the same way. Part-time teaching and support opportunities are frequently available to enable students to supplement their income. The Department is recognised by the ESRC and other research councils and UK/EU students are therefore eligible to apply for open competition with the support of the Department. Further details are on the ESRC website and the closing date is on or around the 1st May each year. Please contact Dr Sue Brownill if you are interested in applying for funding.

Some limited support may also be obtained for conference and fieldwork costs. For any student, having an offer of a place is important for securing funding from other sources, therefore early applications are advised.

How To Apply

Applications can be submitted at any time during the academic year, however please note that over the summer months of July and August you may not get a speedy reply. Once you have applied, your proposal will be read by at least two experts in the department and you can hope to hear back from us within 2-3 weeks. Wherever possible we will interview you either in person or over the phone. Our experience has shown that students with an offer are more likely to gain funding, therefore the earlier you apply the better. Students wishing to apply for Research Council or other funding will need to send a separate application to such funders.

Entry Requirements

Please note that for registration to study for the University's research degrees, a first degree pass at first or upper second class level (or the equivalent) is usually required. A Masters in a related topic is desirable but not essential. For applicants who do not have English as their first language, a: British O level, GCSE (grade A, B or C) in English Language; a TOEFL score of 650 or above (written test); or a British Council ELTS band 6.5 or above is necessary. The University runs a variety of pre-entry courses for students who do not meet these requirements through its ICELS Centre. Evidence of qualifications must be provided with applications, in the form of copies of the award certificates.

Due to our research training programme, it is preferable if students can start in September/October, however entry at the start of Semester Two (usually late January) or other times is negotiable.