Doctoral program in Architecture, Energy and Environment Program By Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) |Top Universities

Doctoral program in Architecture, Energy and Environment

Subject Ranking

# 26QS Subject Rankings

Program Duration

36 monthsProgram duration

Tuitionfee

2,001 EURTuition Fee/year

Scholarship

YesScholarships

Program overview

Main Subject

Architecture and Built Environment

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

This doctoral programme focuses on basic and specific research on various aspects of energy and the environment applied to architecture and urbanism. It covers all the specific elements of the environment of architecture and cities (thermal, light and acoustic), as well as the sociopolitical dimension of architectural and urban design. The programme is a good fit with public research policies in effect, both in the UPC context and in relation to the strategic policy of the Government of Catalonia, the Government of Spain and the European Commission. Two elements of the programme are in consonance with keys goals set out in the academic and university policy of the institutions involved. The first is the provision of training to produce experts (with scientific, technical and creative know-how) in energy-related areas applied to architecture, building construction and the environment. This aspect of the programme is aligned with strategic objectives defined in recent years in successive framework programmes of the European Commission, in the research and innovation plans of the Government of Catalonia, and in the national plans for scientific research, development and technological innovation of the Government of Spain. In all of these plans, a series of key priorities have been identified: progress in efficiency in the use of energy, resource development, support for policies related to assessment of the environmental impact of human activities, and training of experts to design evidence-based policy. The second aspect of the programme that is aligned with strategic objectives at multiple levels is related to the interdepartmental nature of the Architecture, Energy and Environment (AiEM) research group (responsible for the doctoral programme and its internationalisation), given that the group has a network of researchers based at other universities in Europe and Latin America. These two key features also characterised the doctoral programmes that were the forerunners of the current programme.

Program overview

Main Subject

Architecture and Built Environment

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

This doctoral programme focuses on basic and specific research on various aspects of energy and the environment applied to architecture and urbanism. It covers all the specific elements of the environment of architecture and cities (thermal, light and acoustic), as well as the sociopolitical dimension of architectural and urban design. The programme is a good fit with public research policies in effect, both in the UPC context and in relation to the strategic policy of the Government of Catalonia, the Government of Spain and the European Commission. Two elements of the programme are in consonance with keys goals set out in the academic and university policy of the institutions involved. The first is the provision of training to produce experts (with scientific, technical and creative know-how) in energy-related areas applied to architecture, building construction and the environment. This aspect of the programme is aligned with strategic objectives defined in recent years in successive framework programmes of the European Commission, in the research and innovation plans of the Government of Catalonia, and in the national plans for scientific research, development and technological innovation of the Government of Spain. In all of these plans, a series of key priorities have been identified: progress in efficiency in the use of energy, resource development, support for policies related to assessment of the environmental impact of human activities, and training of experts to design evidence-based policy. The second aspect of the programme that is aligned with strategic objectives at multiple levels is related to the interdepartmental nature of the Architecture, Energy and Environment (AiEM) research group (responsible for the doctoral programme and its internationalisation), given that the group has a network of researchers based at other universities in Europe and Latin America. These two key features also characterised the doctoral programmes that were the forerunners of the current programme.

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

72+
160+
5.5+
59+

Applicants must hold a Spanish bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a Spanish master’s degree or equivalent, provided they have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on the two degrees (Royal Decree 43/2015, of 2 February(open in new window))

In addition, the following may apply:

  • Holders of an official degree awarded by a university in Spain or any other country in the European Higher Education Area, pursuant to the provisions of Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, which establishes official university course regulations, who have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on official university degrees, of which at least 60 must be at the master's degree level.
  • Holders of an official Spanish bachelor’s degree comprising at least 300 credits, as provided for by EU regulations. Holder of degrees of this kind must complete bridging courses unless the curriculum of the bachelor’s degree in question included research training credits equivalent in value to those which would be earned on a master's degree.
  • Holders of an official university qualification who, having passed the entrance examination for specialised medical training, have completed at least two years of a training course leading to an official degree in a health-sciences specialisation.
  • Holders of a degree issued under a foreign education system. In these cases, homologation is not required, but the UPC must verify that the degree certifies a level of training equivalent to an official Spanish master's degree and qualifies the holder for admission to doctoral studies in the country where it was issued. Admission on this basis does not imply homologation of the foreign degree or its recognition for any purpose other than admission to doctoral studies.
  • Holders of a Spanish doctoral qualification issued under previous university regulations.
  • Note 1: Doctoral studies entrance regulations for holders of an undergraduate degree awarded before the introduction of the EHEA (CG 47/02 2014)

3 Years
Sep
  • Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance
  • Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance

Tuition fee and scholarships

Domestic Students

2,001 EUR
-

International Students

2,001 EUR
-

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:
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Where to look for scholarship opportunities

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How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

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A list of available scholarships around the world

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More programs from the university

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech is a public institution of Higher Education and Research.

UPC offers 66  bachelor’s degrees (some 100% taught in English) in the knowledge areas:

Aerospace Engineering  

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering  

Applied Sciences: Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Optics and Photonics

Architecture and Urban Planning

Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering

Computer Science

Engineering for Industry: Energy, Biomedical, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical and Materials Engineering  

Naval, Maritime and Nautical Engineering

Telecommunications and Electronic Systems Engineering


All of them are official Spanish degrees that allows the access to master's  and doctoral programmes .

30,275 students are trained to become professionals in engineering, architecture, sciences and technology who have the knowledge, abilities and skill to take on new challenges in keeping with technological efficiency and sustainability criteria.

Student’s participation and leadership in research projects and work placements foster their relations with the world of work and bolster their autonomy and initiative. The University is therefore a space for knowledge that stimulates learning and personal growth with a dynamic, motivating teaching model.

In the 2021 edition of QS World University ranking by Subject, the UPC is ranked 20th in the world in Architecture and 29th in Civil and Structural Engineering. It is also among the world’s top 50 universities in Telecommunications, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and among the world's top 100 universities in the field of Engineering and Technology and in the subjects of Computer Science, and Mechanical, Aeronautical and Industrial Engineering. It is the first Spanish University in Engineering and Technology and in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Telecommunications, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Computer Science.

The  Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) is a public institution dedicated to higher education and research, specialised in the areas of Architecture, Engineering, Science and Technology offers 81  master’s degrees , 34 of them taught fully in English.

UPC is the Spanish university with the highest number of international university students. Last year, the 55% doctoral students were international (79% of them non EU).

As a leading member of international networks of excellence, the UPC has a relationship with global organisations. As a result, it’s at an advantage when it comes to attracting international talent.

Its offers 45  doctoral programmes in five research areas:

Architecture, Urbanism and Construction

Civil Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Information and Communications Technologies Engineering

Sciences

UPC also participate in Erasmus Mundus programme . This programmes shared between at least three European universities that have the support of the European Union. Erasmus Mundus are part of a cooperation and mobility programme for European higher education that aims to improve its quality and promote dialogue and understanding between people and cultures by means of cooperation with third countries.

In the 2021 edition of QS World University ranking by Subject, the UPC is ranked 20th in the world in Architecture and 29th in Civil and Structural Engineering. It is also among the world’s top 50 universities in Telecommunications, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and among the world's top 100 universities in the field of Engineering and Technology and in the subjects of Computer Science, and Mechanical, Aeronautical and Industrial Engineering. It is the first Spanish University in Engineering and Technology and in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Telecommunications, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Computer Science.

PHD programs