Best Architecture Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025 - WeUni

Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning

University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design

United States of America (USA)

Urban Planning, Architecture, Public Administration

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The University of Pennsylvania is an intellectually stimulating environment in which to study today’s metropolitan challenges. To develop responses, our Ph.D. students have easy access to a broad, multi-disciplinary faculty and all the resources of a first-rate urban research university.

English

PH.D. Earth Systems and Built Environments

Università degli Studi "Gabriele d'Annunzio"

Italy

Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Architecture, Geology

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The doctorate trains PhDs on broad themes of Architecture, Earth Sciences and the Planets and Civil Engineering. This interdisciplinary research platform includes topics that concern the natural and man-made environments, the risks associated with them (hydro-geological risk, risks and safety of the built environment at different scales, planning, design and conservation of buildings and urban settlements) and georesources. In this context interdisciplinary, it is possible to develop specific doctoral themes capable of generating repercussions scientific and applicative in line with an increasingly complex society. The research activity follows an initial period of basic training and develops collaborations with research institutions and universities which, where possible, will allow doctoral students to obtain an Italian and foreign qualification (in co-tutorship) and any additional certification of Doctor Europaeus or Network Doctorate International.

Italian

Ph.D. in Innovative Urban Leadership

Bakke Graduate University

Online

United States of America (USA)

Urban Planning, Organizational Leadership, Public Administration

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This Ph.D. program aims to equip leaders at the highest levels as scholar-practitioners. Thus equipped, they combine the ability to think critically, research thoroughly, and analyze correctly with the skills to solve problems practically.

English

PhD in Urban Planning, Design and Policy

Politecnico di Milano

Italy

Urban Planning

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The PhD programme in Urban Planning, Design and Policy (UPDP) aims at exploring the significance and impact of contemporary urban changes and understanding the way these processes can be governed through planning, design and policy making activities. The programme pays specific attention to the transition towards new, more sustainable and equitable modes of urban development as well as to pro-active advancements in planning practices and to potential innovations in traditional urban studies, urban design and policy approaches.

English

3 Years

PhD in Urban and Regional Development

Università degli Studi di Torino

Italy

Urban Planning

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The PhD in Urban and Regional Development analyzes the dynamics of growth and transformation of urban and regional areas. Students study urban planning, economic development, and regional policies to improve the quality of life and sustainability of communities. The program trains experts capable of designing and implementing strategies for the balanced and sustainable development of cities and regions.

Italian

3 Years

Ph.D. in Geography

University of California Santa Barbara Graduate Division

United States of America (USA)

Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Geology

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The UCSB Department of Geography’s joint Ph.D. program with the Department of Geography at San Diego State University is distinctive. It brings together two outstanding departments that complement each other. California State Universities do not offer stand-alone doctoral programs.

English

PH.D. IN Earth Systems and Built Environments

Università degli Studi "Gabriele d'Annunzio"

Italy

Sustainability, Engineering, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The doctorate trains PhDs on broad themes of Architecture, Earth Sciences and the Planets and Civil Engineering. This interdisciplinary research platform includes topics that concern the natural and man-made environments, the risks associated with them (hydro-geological risk, risks and safety of the built environment at different scales, planning, design and conservation of buildings and urban settlements), and georesources. In this context interdisciplinary, it is possible to develop specific doctoral themes capable of generating repercussions scientific and applicative in line with an increasingly complex society. The research activity follows an initial period of basic training and develops collaborations with research institutions and universities which, where possible, will allow doctoral students to obtain an Italian and foreign qualification (in co-tutorship) and any additional certification of Doctor Europaeus or Network Doctorate International.

Italian

Doctorate in Urban Future Studies

Università degli Studi di Firenze

Italy

Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Architecture, Sustainability

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Doctorate in Urban Future Studies. The Doctorate course in "Urban Future Studies" intends to offer young graduates the opportunity to follow a third-level training course with a qualification of excellence and international scope through the acquisition of in-depth methodological, technological, and scientific skills that allow an evaluation, both qualitative and quantitative, of the use of predominantly vegetal solutions in urban and peri-urban systems.

English

Ph.D. in Urban Design & Planning

University of Washington

United States of America (USA)

Urban Planning, Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Urban Design & Planning Interdisciplinary Ph.D. at the University of Washington is one of 39 Ph.D. programs in urban and regional planning in North America and one of the oldest, founded in 1967.

English

Ph.D. in Architectural Studies

University of Missouri College of Human Environmental Sciences

United States of America (USA)

Urban Planning, Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. HES Architectural Studies) degree is designed for individuals who are interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills that are needed to conduct substantive, innovative, and original research that contribute to the theoretical and methodological foundation of architecture and interior design, and the dissemination of this research through teaching, publication, and practice.

English

PHD IN ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCES

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Undergraduate Programmes

Online

United States of America (USA)

Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The School of Architecture offers the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Architectural Sciences to candidates prepared to undertake innovative and substantive research that adds to the body of knowledge drawn on by the design disciplines.

English

Ph.D. in Regional Planning

College of Fine & Applied Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

United States of America (USA)

Urban Planning

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The internationally recognized Ph.D. program in Regional Planning prepares scholars for leadership positions at universities and research institutions in the US and worldwide as faculty and policymakers. It builds a strong foundation of planning and social science theories and hones skills in advanced research methods to develop expertise in a chosen specialization.

English

Doctorate in Urban Studies

INRS University

Canada

Public Policy, Sociology, Urban Planning, Architecture, Social Sciences

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

In urban studies, you will take a look at the social issues of the day, study the city in all its dimensions. Whether it is to better understand the territory as a place of habitat, work, and mobility, as a management body or space for individual, collective, and community activities, you will produce knowledge that will guide action on the territory.

French

PhD in Architectural Urban Interior Design

Politecnico di Milano

Italy

Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Architectural Urban Interior Design (AUID) Ph.D. program emphasizes research in architectural design across various scales and contexts. It explores design processes and techniques, addressing urban, rural, and environmental concerns. Research is enriched by contemporary architectural theory and critical analysis, focusing on green, blue, and grey infrastructure. The program fosters skills and insights essential for addressing pressing issues in contemporary architecture.

English

3 Years

Ph.D. in Architecture, Design, Planning

Università di Camerino - Scuola Internazionale di Studi Avanzati

Italy

Design, Urban Planning, Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Area: Architecture, Design, Planning

Italian, English

3 Years

PhD in Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture

Università degli Studi di Trieste

Italy

Environmental Science, Architecture, Engineering

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. course prepares culture-oriented and high scientific profile researchers to engineering applications, and enable them to develop knowledge, new methods of investigation, design and research activity in public or private bodies, along with managerial competencies.

English

3 Years

PhD in Preservation of Architectural Heritage

Politecnico di Milano

Italy

Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The PhD programme in Preservation of the Architectural Heritage (PAH) focuses on defining high level skills and knowledge in the field of cultural heritage concerning both the safeguarding and intervention processes, while taking into account the complex facets of the built environment such as monumental architecture, minor and common architecture found at urban and territorial scale, dating from the most antique historical periods to the modern and contemporary ones.

English

3 Years

PhD in Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering

Politecnico di Milano

Italy

Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Architecture, Building Engineering, and Built Environment (ABC-PhD) program provides students with a three-year multidisciplinary advanced training path in research activities within architecture and building engineering sectors. It aims to develop high-profile professionals for academic institutions, companies, professional firms, public administrations, and national and international research institutions.

English

3 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Architecture and Architectural design

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Architecture, Design

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

In this research programme, the final thesis should offer an essential knowledge of the field of architectural design, taking into account the latest developments in design and new trends, including the use of new materials and new housing needs starting from the optimization of living spaces.

English

2 Years

PhD Architecture

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom

Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Architecture at Queen’s addresses the issues of architecture and urbanism in an increasingly globalised world, where factors such as sustainability and climate change, identity and heritage, and notions of craft and form create a complex context that architecture has to mediate.

English

3 Years

20 Best Architecture Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025

Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning

PH.D. Earth Systems and Built Environments

Ph.D. in Innovative Urban Leadership

PhD in Urban Planning, Design and Policy

PhD in Urban and Regional Development

Ph.D. in Geography

PH.D. IN Earth Systems and Built Environments

Doctorate in Urban Future Studies

Ph.D. in Urban Design & Planning

Ph.D. in Architectural Studies

PHD IN ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCES

Ph.D. in Regional Planning

Doctorate in Urban Studies

PhD in Architectural Urban Interior Design

Ph.D. in Architecture, Design, Planning

PhD in Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture

PhD in Preservation of Architectural Heritage

PhD in Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Architecture and Architectural design

PhD Architecture

Doctoral Degrees, Architecture