The Doctoral Program in Architecture of ISCTE elects the contemporary territory as a central theme of research, focusing on the discussion, theoretical reflection, analytical practices and intervention on the architectural space, in its dynamic forms of production and in its cultural and technological framework, in a holistic, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspective. The cycle of studies offers a model adapted to the training and practices of contemporary research in architecture, providing integrated thematic lines of research in the research centers of Iscte: dinâmia’cet-iscte and ISTAR-IUL.

The debates of metropolitan architecture extend beyond the limits of nations, requiring an international dimension in the research done in this doctoral programme. In this regard, PhD candidates may benefit from international partnerships established by Iscte, namely with the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) and the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid da Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain). 

The course is structure with research centers where students have the opportunity to discuss and build their project with teachers and researchers, crossing their interest with the thematic investigation lines of research underway at Iscte's research centers. In the first year, in the first week of classes, the students should identify, with the ISTA secretariat, the investigation center where they want to develop their thesis.