Doctorate in Architecture (PhD)
Partially lectured remotely

The PhD in Architecture emerged in Portugal within the Lisbon School of Architecture. The current doctoral study results from the adaptation of the old study to the Bologna process, and presents a wide range of curricular units, which allows students to structure the study in accordance to their own research interests. The study is organized in five specializations: Theory and Practice of Architectural Design, Theory and History, Technology and Construction Management, Drawing and Computation, and Conservation and Rehabilitation; also starting from diverse lines of research of a transdisciplinary nature. Given its relationship with the research centre (CIAUD), these lines frame students, researchers and teachers in finances research projects, directed towards the necessities of the labour market and of contemporary society.

The first year is taught in person, while the remaining years are taught remotely.

The program offers two different schedules, and the candidates must choose the one they prefer when registering, taking into account the registration periods for each option:

Regular Program, with in-person classes from September to November (first semester) and from February to May (second semester), with weekly classes on Fridays and classes taught exclusively in English;
Intensive Program, with in-person classes from January/February (first semester) and June/July (second semester), concentrating each semester's classes daily over 5 weeks, and classes taught exclusively in Portuguese.

Applications are submitted exclusively on an online platform (Fenix), and you should consider the following options depending on your situation:

FA.ULisboa student/alumni candidates who hold an ULisboa account (Fenix access username and password), must access Fenix and through the "candidate" menu start the application process. If you do not remember your access password, you must recover access HERE.
Candidates external to FA.ULisboa and former FA.ULisboa students who do not hold a campus account must create a user account Fenix HERE.

Any questions or access difficulties, please contact us via email candidaturas@fa. ulisboa.pt.

Official duration 3rd cycle

Normal regimen
Years: 3 (up to a maximum of 5 years)
Semesters: 6 (up to a maximum of 10 semesters)
Weeks of classes per semester: 14*
ECTS credits: 180

*14 weeks of classes, plus assessment period. Assessment happens in normal and appeal/improvement period at the end of each semester.

Intensive regimen
Years: 3 (up to a maximum of 5 years)
Semesters: 6 (up to a maximum of 10 semesters)
Weeks of classes per semester: 5**
ECTS credits: 180

**5 weeks of classes, plus assessment period (during which the contact hours scheduled in the Study Plan are ensured). Assessment happens in normal and appeal/improvement period at the end of each semester and after the contact hours scheduled in the Study Plan are ensured.

Aim of the study
The PhD in Architecture has as its main goal to provide training guided towards the development of advanced individual research, preferably integrated in assessed and finances projects, conducing to the generation and transmission of knowledge. The specific goals are intellectual satisfaction, the acquisition of advanced competences that allow for the exercise of professional practice in a more informed way, with competitive advantages, and the contribution to the development of society and the economy. In that sense, the study plan is organized according to the Bologna principles.
In the 1st year, the doctoral candidates undertake several Curricular Units, aiming at the acquisition of knowledge and skills about (1) research methodologies fitting the discipline, (2) several lines of research linked to the study’s teaching staff, and (3) how to build an individual research project. The fulfilment of the objectives if assessed by the works produced in each Curricular Unit, concluding with the approval of the Thesis Project, which allow the doctoral candidate to register the theme and begin the individual research work.
In years 2 and 3, the doctoral candidates dedicate themselves to the development and operationalization of the research, culminating in the defence of the Dissertation. Its evolution is assessed by means of the evaluation of the semester reports and work progress seminars.
The Lisbon School of Architecture provides two academic calendars for the participation in the doctoral studies. The normal regimen has as its definition the general School’s calendar, with classes and assessment periods taking place between September and July, every Friday (each semester with 14 weeks of classes). The intensive regimen has an academic calendar that includes classes every day of the week, and the duration of each semester is 5 weeks.
There is no distinction among the mentioned regimens, be it at the level of the Study Plan, level of demand, tuition costs, etc., the only difference between the modalities being the academic calendar.

Classes
In the normal regimen classes take place on Friday, in the periods between 8:30 and 13:00, and 14:00 and 19:00.
In the intensive regimen classes take place every day of the week, in the periods between 8:30 and 13:00, and 14:00 and 19:00.

Timeline

Course Start and Opening:*
Regular schedule: during the month of September.
Intensive schedule: during the month of January.
End of the 1st Academic Year:*
Regular schedule: end of May, with assessments taking place in June and July.
Intensive schedule: end of July, with assessments taking place in November and December.

*This is indicative information only and should be confirmed in the official academic calendar.

Doctorate in Architecture (PhD)
Partially lectured remotely

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Doctorate in Architecture (PhD)Partially lectured remotely

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Students

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Doctorate in Architecture (PhD)
Partially lectured remotely