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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 15,900
Per year
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
24 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
PhD
Major
Fine Arts | Graphic Design | Illustration
Area of study
Arts
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 15,900
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2024-01-01-
2024-04-01-
2024-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Art and Design MPhil, PhD

Overview

Explore your research interests in art and design - from computer games art, to illustration and photography - supported by the expertise of our staff, on our PhD programme in Cambridge.


Full Description

Informed by your particular discipline, you’ll critically contextualise your work, clarifying both theoretical and practical research-based enquiries, and producing distinctive contributions to the research field.


You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of art and design, including: creative practices that crossover between art and design, graphic design and typography; interior design (with a special interest in the role of light); design and identity; and fashion and psychology.


At Cambridge School of Art, you’ll be part of a vibrant and growing community of researchers at PhD level. We have various research forums that accentuate the discursive and interdisciplinary nature of research, such as our close links with our University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, and local and national arts institutions and practitioners.


All your subject-specific studies will be enhanced and supported by our University-wide training sessions, where you’ll gain important research expertise in areas like ethics, presentations, intellectual property and digital scholarship.


Distance-learning supervision is available on this course.


Completion Dates

  • MPhil: full-time 1-3 years, part-time 2-4 years.
  • PhD via progression from MPhil, including that period: full-time 2.5-5 years, part-time 3.5-6 years.
  • PhD: full-time 2-4 years, part-time 3-6 years.

Supervision and Support

You’ll be supervised and supported by staff who have published and exhibited nationally and internationally. Our staff’s expertise includes:


  • Tina Burton: artistic practice that incorporates physical technology, interactive installations, 2D game design (particularly for children), and theories of new media practice.
  • Elena Cologni: research as art practice methodologies, participatory and dialogic approaches in art, site responsive practices, eco feminism and female environmental art practices, interdisciplinary approaches through art in relation to cognition, place attachment, processes of memorisation, care ethics and well-being.
  • Mark Hart: the interplay between mathematics, technology and materials, principally concentrating on 3D construction.
  • Tim Kobin: the relationship between narrative and design.
  • Jon Melton: categorising and contextualising of display and ornamented types of the nineteenth century; eighteenth- and nineteenth-century applied arts, furniture, interiors and architecture.
  • Wendy Moody: fashion design, visualisation and art with neuroscience, psychology, consumer behaviour, retail and psychology.

Where You'll Research

Your Department and Faculty

At Cambridge School of Art, we combine the traditions of our past with the possibilities afforded by the latest technologies.


Using our expertise and connections in Cambridge and beyond, we nurture creativity through experimentation and risk-taking to empower the makers and creators of the future.


Our academics excel at both practice and theory, making a real impact in their chosen fields, whether they are curating exhibitions, designing book covers or photographing communities in Africa. They are also regularly published in catalogues, books, journals and conference papers, their research classed as being of ‘international standing’, with some elements ‘world-leading’, in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.


Specialist Facilities

You’ll have the chance to work in our printmaking and sculpture workshops, photography dark rooms, life drawing studio, and computer suites for video production and digital imaging. You’ll also have access to four Mac suites with Adobe Creative Suite software, plus high-quality 27-inch monitors, as well as the University of Cambridge Library, our own campus library, Ruskin Gallery (our professional digital art gallery that shows touring exhibitions of international standing as well as student work), and local art galleries like Kettle's Yard.


Fees & Funding

Course Fees

  • UK students, 2024/25 (per year): £4,786
  • UK students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year): £2,392
  • International students, 2024/25 (per year): £15,900
  • International students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year): £7,950

Bench Fees

In some cases extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.


Some examples of these costs are (the list is not exhaustive): equipment hire, access costs to specialist equipment/workshops, volunteer expenses, specialist tissue/cell culture, specialist reagents or materials, specialist software, access to specialist databases, data collection costs, specialist media, recording or digital storage needs.


We charge bench fees in bands. They may apply for every year of your course. These bands are the same for full- and part-time students.


If you have to pay bench fees this will be made clear at your interview, and stated in your offer letter.


For 2024/25 the bench fee bands are:


    1. £500
    1. £1,200
    1. £2,200
    1. £4,500
    1. £8,900

PhD by Published Work

  • Initial registration: £1,500
  • Full registration: £4,500

Writing Up Fees 2024/25

  • £1,200

How Do I Pay My Fees?

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.


Funding

For advice on the Doctoral Loan and other sources of funding, including ARU scholarships, visit our finance guide for postgraduate researchers.


You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.


ARU Research

ARU's academic excellence was recognised in 2021, as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise which assesses the quality of academic research. Sixteen areas of our work were classed as generating world-leading research. The results showed that we're making a significant impact on the societies we live in.


Careers

We’ll provide you with many opportunities for career development and training, and encourage you to get involved with external activities like exhibiting, curating, conference organisation and giving papers.


In conjunction with University research support, you can request specific support for writing-up, conference papers, general research methods and other research skills if you need it.


Entry Requirements

  • MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelors degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.
  • PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.

Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.


You'll be required to submit a portfolio of your practical work to date as part of your application.


If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.


Suggested Courses That May Interest You

  • Fine Art
  • Children's Book Illustration
  • Graphic Design and Typography

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

  • Overview: The Art and Design MPhil/PhD program at Cambridge School of Art provides candidates with the opportunity to explore their research interests in art and design, supported by the expertise of staff.
  • Objectives: The program aims to assist candidates in critically contextualizing their work, clarifying theoretical and practical research-based inquiries, and making distinctive contributions to the research field.
  • Description: Candidates will be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary.
  • The program is located in Cambridge School of Art, which offers a vibrant and growing community of PhD-level researchers.

Teaching:

  • Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including seminars, workshops, individual supervision, and group critiques.
  • Faculty: The program is taught by experienced staff in most areas of art and design, including:
  • Creative practices that crossover between art and design
  • Graphic design and typography
  • Interior design (with a special interest in the role of light)
  • Design and identity
  • Fashion and psychology
  • Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research and collaboration between art and design disciplines, as well as with other fields such as science and engineering.

Careers:

  • Careers: Graduates of the program will be prepared for a variety of careers in academia, research, the creative industries, and beyond.
  • Opportunities: Potential career paths include:
  • Artist
  • Designer
  • Researcher
  • Curator
  • Educator
  • Outcomes: Graduates of the program will have developed a strong foundation in research methods, critical thinking, and creative practice, enabling them to pursue successful careers in their chosen field.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

UK students, 2023/24 (per year) £4,712 UK students, 2023/24 (part-time, per year) £2,356 International students, 2023/24 (per year) £15,000 International students, 2023/24 (part-time, per year) £7,500 UK students, 2024/25 (per year) £4,786 UK students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year) £2,392 International students, 2024/25 (per year) £15,900 International students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year) £7,950

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