The programme is designed to combine courses taught jointly with follow-up sessions and individual supervision, so that students can enjoy the benefits of collective learning in an advanced scientific community, individual guidance and bibliographical support and systematic participation in scientific meetings that fit the interests of their international working plan.

The programme is organised so that students can build an appropriate training path leading to their thesis theme, ensuring sufficient coverage and adequate flexibility.  Supervision and coaching will be conducted by a PhD faculty member. The general aims of the programme are:  the use of methodological and conceptual frameworks within the sciences that contribute to the vast field of Architecture according to a precise research subject, and applying them to pertinent and scientifically relevant original research; and the development of skills and research methods to be applied in Architecture.

The programme follows a rigorous and critical profile, which aims to prepare future doctors with expertise in Architecture, more specifically in the area of construction and technology, to:

a) Design, adapt and perform an original scientific research, meaningfully and socially relevant, respecting the requirements imposed by the standards of academic quality and integrity;

b) Analyse reality, evaluate and synthesise knowledge;

c) Communicate with the academic community and with society on matters in which they specialise;

d) Build a critical view of knowledge and reality;

The thesis developed under the framework of this doctoral programme may take the form of a thesis (focused on a methodology of theoretical research) or a project (focused on practical research,   structured in an architectural project together with the specification and justification to accurately demonstrate the relevance and originality of the dissertation as a proposition that can be demonstrated by logical deduction).

The completion of the curricular component without the elaboration of the thesis, equivalent to a minimum of 45 ECTS, corresponds to the Diploma in Advanced Studies in Architecture. The conclusion of the thesis grants the title of Doctor of Architecture by the University of Minho.