PhD in Architecture

The aim of the Program is to provide candidates with the opportunity to develop high quality research so that through specialized expertise, scientific knowledge is established and academic and research standards are promoted within the framework of the distinction of the academic prestige of the Department, the School and the University.

The PhD program in Architecture aims to develop and disseminate new knowledge with a focus on the research fields of Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Historical Constructions and of Environmental and Sustainable Design. It may also concern other fields of Architecture.

Scientific knowledge and research in the field of Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Historical Structures and Sets has been cultivated over the past five years by the Department of Architecture in the framework of the postgraduate program of the same name. There is now the need and maturity of both the Department and the academic staff for potential students to deepen their doctoral research in these fields.

Respectively, knowledge and research in the field of Environmental and Sustainable Design and Planning, both at the level of individual buildings and at the level of planning units and complexes, has been cultivated through the strand of Sustainable Built Environment within the postgraduate program in Energy Engineering, in which staff of the Department participated over the last three years. There is also the need and maturity of both the Department and the academic staff and the potential students to deepen their doctoral research in these fields.

The Department is also developing other fields of Architectural Science, such as building design, architectural technology and digital design, which will soon also create the background for doctoral research.

1. Based on the general purpose and reasoning concept of the PhD in Architecture, the expected learning outcomes are as follows:
2. To promote research in the science of Architecture beyond the limits of existing knowledge.
3. Development and evolution of interdisciplinary research skills and actions of the Department of Architecture and the Polytechnic School and University as a whole.
4. Establishment and recognition of doctoral research at the regional level and its focus on the climatic, social and cultural specificities of Southeastern Europe and the Near East.
5. Cultivating in the doctoral student the background, the necessary research experience, the ethics and the skills to become a PhD graduate useful and beneficial to society.
6. Understanding the dynamics, development and requirements of the chosen fields of Architecture, as it evolves internationally, in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
7. The production of new knowledge through systematic research into the focal points of the program and the cultivation of research orientations in architectural practice.
8. Emphasizing research as an important tool in the service of architectural science, for elevating architectural practice as art and science.
9. Develop analytical and critical thinking and cultivate fruitful dialogue and cooperation to address the problems and challenges associated with research fields.
10. The critical assembly of the practice-theory-research cycle adapted to architecture as an act and theory.

Upon completion of the Graduate Program, graduates will have a coherent body of knowledge and skills in conservation and restoration of historical buildings and monuments or environmental-bioclimatic design or other relevant academic fields. They will also be familiar with scientific research methods and have gained practical experience. It is noted that in recent years it has been observed that the need for research documentation and support of professional practice is growing. All these will allow them to have a wide range of options for professional employment in the following areas of employment in Cyprus:

• Public Sector: Employees in public sector bodies involved in conservation and restoration of monuments and traditional buildings or Environmental/ Sustainable Planning in Cyprus, such as the: Department of Antiquities, Department of Urban Planning and Housing, Department of Public Works, Department of the Environmental, Department of the Energy, District Offices, Turkish Cypriot Property Maintenance Service, Technical department of the Ministry of Education, Technical departments of Universities (Public and Private), Technical departments of Municipalities and Communities etc.
• Freelancers: Holders of the PhD will be able to work as specialized freelancers in Cyprus and abroad. It is noted that only a very small number of monuments in Cyprus have been conserved or restored to date, while a large number of them require systematic maintenance. The studies of these works are mainly awarded to private scholars. A large number of traditional and historic buildings in Cyprus, both in urban centers and in the countryside, have been declared protected and are placed under special legislation. At the same time, there is a governmental policy to subsidize the rehabilitation of such buildings, which is also an incentive for many individuals who show an increasing intention to restore their properties. Finally, the need for the preservation and restoration of a large number of ecclesiastical monuments in the Middle East, a field of employment very close to Cyprus, is particularly emphasized. In the direction of Environmental Bioclimatic Design, there is a rapid increase in demand for specialized scientists in energy-environment and sustainable design, control of energy efficiency of buildings, elaboration of specific environmental studies and bioclimatic studies in the urban, suburban and rural built environment,
• Educational Staff at the University’s Departments of Architecture: Under the current legislation, holders of a PhD degree can teach at University Departments of Architecture. Today there are Architecture Departments at four universities in Cyprus, where a significant number of courses related to the preservation and restoration of monuments and traditional buildings and environmental-sustainable design are being taught. It follows that the Architects holding the Ph.D. could find employment and as educational staff at universities in Cyprus or abroad.
• Participation in research programs and work groups: Graduates of the Ph.D. program will be able to either participate in research projects as research associates or to claim themselves as coordinators to fund their own research proposals. Emphasis is placed on the continuous increase of research funds available from the Cypriot government, the European Union and other international organizations, a parameter which creates significant employment prospects in this area. It also underlines the possibility of participation of graduates in various working groups set up by the Cyprus Technical Chamber of Industry (ETEK), the Cyprus Standards Organization (CYS), the ICOMOS Division in Cyprus and other organizations.

Frederick University academic year consists of the fall and spring semesters. The calendar is arranged so that students may start classes either during the last week of September or the first week of February. Candidates may submit an application for admission in any of the semesters. Due to the fact that formalities for the issue of an entry visa take at least 6 weeks, candidates are urged to file an application at least 8 weeks prior to the expected date of enrolment. Students are expected to be on campus prior to the beginning of the intended semester/session. In response to arising need, courses could be provided within the summer period.

The PhD in Architecture program is overseen by the PhD Program Committee. This is a three member committee appointed by the Council of the Department. Handling student admissions, such as the evaluation of the applications for admittance is one of the responsibilities of this committee.

Application Procedure

Admission to the doctoral program is done after the announcement of doctoral positions by the Department, followed by an application by the interested applicant. Eligible applicants must hold a university degree, Bachelor’s or Master’s, granted by an institution recognized in the country where it operates. Applicants who do not hold their first degree at the time of application, but will hold such a degree before the commencement of the graduate program, are also eligible to apply but must submit a letter from their University’s Registrar verifying that they are indeed eligible to graduate. The decision on their admission does not become official until the degree has been successfully produced.

Each application for admission should include:

• A completed application form.
• A Curriculum Vitae indicating the student’s education, academic and research experience, any publications, awards, etc.
• A Research Statement. Candidates with prior graduate studies are required to submit a brief research statement (up to 600 words) stating the area in which they are interested in conducting research. Candidates with no prior graduate level studies do not need to submit a research statement.
• At least two letters of recommendation from academic or professional advisors.
• Certified copies of all degrees and transcripts.
• Copies of any other supporting material, such as exams, honours, awards, etc.
• Proof of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL (minimum grade 90), the IELTS (minimum grade 6.5), or other equivalent language examinations. Candidates, who have completed an undergraduate or graduate program where the instruction language was English, satisfy the proof of English language proficiency requirement. This applies for all candidates.
• Proof of Greek language proficiency (if it does not come from Greek speaking, secondary education or relevant university studies, a C2 level certificate is needed). Applies for candidates that wish to conduct a Doctoral Thesis in Greek.

The application material must be submitted in English or Greek.

Admission’s Evaluation Procedure

All applications for admission are evaluated by the Doctoral Program Committee. The criteria for the evaluation of the candidates are the following:

• Academic background
• Research background
• Recommendation letters
• Additional qualifications

If necessary, the Doctoral Program Committee may invite a candidate for a personal interview.

After completing the evaluation process, the Doctoral Program Committee submits to the Council of the Department a Program Admission Evaluation Report on its decision. This report includes a justified suggestion of the Committee on the acceptance/rejection of the candidate’s application, possible conditions for admission, transfer credits, and research area. If appropriate, the Committee may suggest in this report the Research Advisor and the members of the Research Advisory Committee.

A. Nationals of EU countries
Candidates who are nationals of EU countries can enter Cyprus as visitors. On arrival at Frederick University they must submit to the Admission Office the following:

• A fully completed application form.
• An application fee of Euro 25 (non-refundable).
• Attested (certified true) copies of their academic qualifications.
• Evidence of proficiency in English, (if available).
• A photocopy of their passport. The passport should be valid for at least one year from the date of their arrival to Cyprus.
• A recent certificate of good conduct issued by the police of the candidate’s country of origin or residence, if necessary translated in Greek or English. The good conduct certificate should be original and issued less than 6 months prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student is applying. The names and titles of the persons issuing and certifying the document should be clearly stated therein.

Furthermore, they must pay the registration fee, the semester tuition fees, and register for subjects. Next they must apply to the Migration Department for a temporary residence permit. The application to the Migration Department must be supported by evidence that they have paid their tuition fees for the semester, have enough funds for their initial living expenses and have obtained local health insurance coverage.

B. Applicants from non EU countries
International Students from non EU countries need to have a valid student visa in order to be allowed to enter Cyprus. The issue of an entry visa takes about 6 weeks from the date of the submission of the application. It is therefore recommended that candidates submit their application at least 8 weeks before the beginning of the semester. Cyprus Migration Department requirements in respect of the issue of a student visa, which from time to time may be modified, are available to candidates in a separate document.

Once the Conditional Acceptance Letter is issued by the University, the prospective student is directed
by an Admissions Officer to send to the University several documents by email and then by courier.
The documents are as follows:
1. Original attested passport copy must be valid for 2 years
2. Original attested copy of High School Leaving Certificate and mark sheets
3. Original attested Police Clearance Certificate must be valid for 6 months
4. Original attested bank letter showing that the student’s sponsor has the financial ability to
support tuition fees and leaving expenses must be valid for 6 months
5. Original attested bank statement which clearly shows the minimum amount of €7,000 in the
sponsor’s account must be valid for 1 month
6. Original attested chest X-ray report for Tuberculosis must be valid for 4 months
7. Original attested blood test results for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C must be valid for 4
months
8. Attested document of parental consent for the student’s proposed stay in Cyprus and its
official translation in Greek or English– only for applicants below the age of 18 years
(minors).
9. Attested reports of medical tests showing that they are not suffering from Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis and a chest X-ray report.
10. A recent certificate of good conduct issued by the police of the candidate’s country of
origin or residence, if necessary translated in Greek or English. The good conduct
certificate should be original and issued less than 6 months prior to the beginning of the
semester for which the student is applying. The names and titles of the persons issuing
and certifying the document should be clearly stated therein.
11. Attested letter from a bank in the country of origin or residence stating that the student or
his/her parent (s) – full names to be mentioned – have the financial capability to cover the
cost of living and studying in Cyprus, and the student’s repatriation cost, as well as recent
bank statement showing a balance of at least €7000 (seven thousand Euro).

It is estimated that, on average, a student spends about 600 Euro per month for private accommodation, utilities, food and transportation. Of course, a budget is a very personal thing, depending on one’s preferences.

Full time students from non EU countries are entitled to seek employment of 20 hours per week during the study period, provided that the employment hours will not coincide with their study hours at the University, or 38 hours per week during their holidays. The right to employment starts after the completion of six months study and residence in Cyprus. 

Scholarships aim is to support young people with capabilities to distinguish and to contribute to the development and social progress.

The university offers full and partial scholarships to incoming students based on the academic merit of the high school performance. The University also has in place a scholarship scheme for continuing students which reduces tuition fees based on the GPA achieved by the student. The percentage of reduction is related to the GPA achieved.

Additionally, Frederick University has a broad range of scholarships to athletes.