Key information
- Funding
- Self-funded
- School
- Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
- Location
- Dubai
- Award
- PhD
- Delivery type
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start date
- September, January, May
- Duration
- Up to 4 years (full time)
Research within the PhD Construction programme focuses on addressing the challenges facing the global construction industry, including decarbonisation, digital transformation, resource efficiency and resilient project delivery. Students are encouraged to undertake interdisciplinary research that bridges engineering, management and emerging technologies while contributing practical solutions to industry and society.
Research topics for PhD supervision
A wide range of research projects can be considered within the construction sector, particularly those addressing the transformation of the built environment through digitalisation, sustainability, resilience, productivity, and innovation. Typical areas include:
- Digital construction, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins and smart asset management.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for construction planning, project delivery and facilities management.
- Construction productivity, lean construction methodologies and process optimisation.
- Sustainable construction materials, circular economy practices and construction waste minimisation.
- Net-zero carbon construction strategies and whole-life carbon assessment of buildings and infrastructure.
- Modern methods of construction, modular construction and off-site manufacturing technologies.
- Construction project management, risk assessment and decision-support systems.
- Supply chain resilience and procurement strategies for large-scale construction projects.
- Smart cities, urban development and integration of digital technologies in the built environment.
- Health, safety and wellbeing in construction through predictive analytics and emerging technologies.
- Climate adaptation and resilience planning for the construction sector.
- Policy, governance and regulatory frameworks supporting sustainable construction and infrastructure development.
Research environment
The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS) provides a vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment for doctoral study. Our research spans the design, construction, operation and sustainability of the built environment, bringing together expertise in civil engineering, construction, infrastructure systems, digital technologies, urban development and environmental sustainability.
Through close collaboration with industry, professional bodies and government stakeholders, EGIS researchers develop innovative solutions to global challenges including climate resilience, resource efficiency, smart infrastructure and sustainable cities. PhD candidates benefit from access to world-class academic expertise, specialist facilities and opportunities for collaboration across Heriot-Watt's global campuses in Dubai, Edinburgh and Malaysia.
Research proposal
The research proposal (normally three to four pages) should contain as much as possible of the following:
- Introduction or outline of the proposed topic
- Statement of objective(s) and/or specific research questions
- Summary of some of the relevant literature that supports the research objective(s)
- An indication of the intended research methodology
- An indication of the theoretical structure and/or conceptual outline
- A provisional timetable of the major phases of the research process
- Results expected from the research, e.g., practical value of the research or possible contributions to knowledge, policy or methodology. At this stage we are not looking for a definitive document but merely an indication that you have thought through most of the above issues. Please note that work submitted may be subject to screening using plagiarism software.
Accreditation
Read more about the UAE Federal Accreditation.
This programme is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE.
Academic team
PGR coordinator
PGR supervisors
Entry requirements
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A Master’s degree, normally with merit or distinction, in a relevant discipline.
- A strong interest in civil engineering, sustainability, building performance and/or construction research areas.
- The ability to formulate and undertake an independent research project.
- Strong written, verbal and visual communication skills.
- The capacity to work ethically and collaboratively with diverse participants and stakeholders.
Funding information
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| Local and International | AED 103,480 per year | AED 51,740 per year |
- All tuition fees inclusive of VAT.
Additional information
* All tuition fees inclusive of VAT
Scholarships and bursaries
See our range of degree entry, undergraduate, postgraduate taught and PhD scholarships and discounts.
We offer a number of competitive funded scholarships for research degrees. Full or partial support may be available for well-qualified candidates from UK research councils, research pools, charities or industry.
View our full range of scholarships.
Why Heriot-Watt
As the first British university to set up a campus in Dubai in 2005, we have established ourselves as a pioneer in the higher education market in the UAE. The three consecutive five-star ratings by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is a testament to our reputation for world-class teaching.
The futuristic Dubai campus is designed to offer interactive and collaborative learning experiences with innovative classroom styles fostering group work and engagement like Collaborative lecture theatres, Digitally Classrooms and Seminar rooms. The campus also has dedicated cutting-edge laboratories and workshops that span various engineering disciplines along with Psychology, IT, Photography, Design and Architecture.
Our practical, leading-edge research combined with strong links to business and industry, have made our graduates highly employable and sought after by the best organisations worldwide, with over 90% in graduate-level jobs or further study within six months of graduation. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education through our Go Global programme.
