About the Programme
The PhD program at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) is a unique space for researchers who have embedded practices in the larger discipline of design and are interested in collaborative critical thinking with transdisciplinary connections. The 3- year Doctoral Program focuses on transdisciplinary inquiry in design, architecture, art, urbanism, humanities, psychology, culture, heritage and sustainability with creative and experimental practices being at the core of research. The PhD program equips its scholars with research, critical thinking, theoretical engagement and writing skills providing structured course work and expert guidance. There are various qualified guides, within the School of Architecture, with doctorates in various disciplines. We have collaborations from School of English and Cultural Studies and Psychology Department presently to support transdisciplinary research. They have been included in the Research Advisory Committee of many of the scholars presently working with the school.
Program Details
The doctoral program normally takes 3-5 years to complete and involves the following
stages:
Six Months Course Work: The scholars are required to complete course work that prepares them for undertaking research and includes courses on research methodology, research ethics, publications among others.
Proposal and Research Advisory Committee (RAC): Scholars develop a proposal which is ratified by a committee according to the University regulation.
Research and Thesis: After the formal approval of the PhD proposal scholars work intensively with their respective guides and the RAC to further their research. This has
intermediate evaluation that qualify the scholars to finally undertake the final external evaluation, to be then awarded the degree.
Current PhD Topics and Scholars
Currently we have 17 active scholars working on varied topics of research. Some of the topics are as mentioned below. More information on guides and experts in the School of Architecture could be obtained from the faculty page.
Citizens Empowerment: Integrated Citizen Participatory Approach in Urban Redevelopment Process- Deepthi Adiga
Transcribing Experimental Films: The Confluence of Material Culture of Filmmaking and Architecture in India - Richard Manoharan
Developing Hierarchical Green Building Performance Criteria Determining Efficacy of Occupants in Institutional Building - Abinaya J
Perception and Cognition Influenced by Environmental Conditions: A Correlation of Virtually Designed Urban Street
Environment and Human Psychophysiology - Shynu R V
An Integrated Policy Framework to Reduce Vulnerability of Coastal Communities Due to Urbanisation - Vijaya Hegde
Integrated Watershed Management and Urban Design to Develop Resilient Coastal Cities - Gayathri Pramod
Diagramming in Architectural Pedagogy: Exploring the Potential of Diagramming as a Tool in Design Communication and Design Thinking - Elsa Anna Simon
Design Strategies for Fire Safety in High-rise Residential Buildings for Evacuation: A case of Bengaluru, India - Mamatha
An Enquiry Into Urban Built Typologies in the Post Modern Era: A Case of Bangalore - Betty Chacko
Eligibility & Fee Structure
Message from the HOD
Bangalore Kengeri Campus
Architectural Education at CHRIST offers an opportunity to be part of creative innovation in design thinking, design teaching, and design learning. We are committed to providing a tremendous opportunity, to engage in an experiential learning environment using the Design studio space as a design thinking workshop, where ideas are explored and theoretical subjects are integrated. The Studio on Wheels the traveling classroom is a unique pedagogical approach adopted for an experiential teaching-learning practice in our education at CHRIST. These intensive studio sessions are designed to engage deeper learning and discourse on social and environmental issues, set within a selected geographic
Message from the HOD
Architectural Education at CHRIST offers an opportunity to be part of creative innovation in design thinking, design teaching, and design learning. We are committed to providing a tremendous opportunity, to engage in an experiential learning environment using the Design studio space as a design thinking workshop, where ideas are explored and theoretical subjects are integrated. The Studio on Wheels the traveling classroom is a unique pedagogical approach adopted for an experiential teaching-learning practice in our education at CHRIST. These intensive studio sessions are designed to engage deeper learning and discourse on social and environmental issues, set within a selected geographic area or community precinct thus rendering a global perspective to the curriculum. It is built around community-driven skill development workshops, service-learning modules, master classes, outreach projects, and detailed documentation. The learnings set the premise and research questions for the design problem conducted in the subsequent three-quarters of the semester. The productions of these studios on wheels are documented comprehensively and released as publications or exhibitions in the public domain for wider dissemination, debate, and discourse.
Our close working relationship with the existing ecosystem of the University has rendered a unique identity to the curriculum, building a deeper social and environmental responsibility within students. As we embrace the new dimensions of National education policy we extend ourselves to examine and participate in the rural reconstruction of the region. The CHRIST Rural Studio rolled out as a social outreach studio project, at semester 4 level, explores poetics in bamboo while learning appropriate technology. This funded research project is primarily intended to encourage student research and publication at the undergraduate level. With challenges such as liveability, infrastructure, climate change mitigation, culture and heritage, enforcement of existing legislative framework, and governance remaining at the forefront, our post-graduation pedagogy recognizes the interconnectedness between ecology, urbanism, and architecture. The program intends a deeper understanding of urbanism across scales and sectors including ecological, regional, urban and infrastructural, institutional, recreational, heritage, and the like. The school is currently expanding the policy of inclusiveness and encouraging more involvement of a diversity of students, developing research as a culture of the School and new multi-disciplinary collaborations. In our efforts to build inclusive classrooms, during this pandemic, we take special care to build trust with students and to stay inspired.
Admission Process
- Register with your Email ID
- Login to the Admission Portal
- Fill the Application Form
- Pay Application Fee
- Entrance Test (If Applicable)
- Assessment
- Interview
- Check login page for result
- If selected, Offer Letter attached
- Pay Course Fee Online
- Complete Admission Process
Ready to Apply?
Applications for the 2026 batch are open. Deadline: 14-Jun-2026.