Graphic Design and Typography

Program Overview

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Graphic Design and Typography MPhil, PhD

Overview

Our PhD research programmes will allow you to join one of our research projects or explore your own interests in Graphic Design and Typography, supported by the expertise of our staff.

Full Description

Informed by your particular discipline, you’ll frame your research within the context of current critical debates, examining modern production and dissemination methods used both nationally and internationally. Your research can be practice-led and conducted primarily through design projects.

You’ll be allocated two supervisors, with additional staff members available if necessary. Our supervisors are experienced in most areas of graphic design and typography, with a focus on type design and type history.

At Cambridge School of Art, you’ll be part of a vibrant and growing community of researchers working in many different fields. We provide various research forums that accentuate the interdisciplinary nature of our research, including the Typographic Research Group, and have strong links with many professional organisations, including Atypi, Typographic Research Initiative, Typecon (USA) and various critical and professional journals. You’ll have the chance to participate in publications, exhibitions and conferences, gaining valuable research experience and contributing to Cambridge School of Art’s critical culture.

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.

Completion Times

• 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.

PhD Project Opportunities

• Design Group
• World-leading research at ARU
• Cambridge School of Art research
• StoryLab

Supervision and Support

You’ll be supervised and supported by staff who have recognised expertise in both professional practice and research of graphic design and typography, at national and international level. Our staff include:

• Jon Melton: categorising and contextualising of display and ornamented types of the nineteenth century; eighteenth- and nineteenth-century applied arts, furniture, interiors and architecture.

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 industry-standard Mac suites, outstanding printmaking, letterpress, and 3D workshops, as well as access to the University of Cambridge Library, our own campus library and Ruskin Gallery, our professional digital art gallery, which shows touring exhibitions of international standing as well as student work.

Our Faculty has a dedicated PhD room, where our doctoral students can all meet up to work and take an active part in our postgraduate student community.

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
2. £1,200
3. £2,200
4. £4,500
5. £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.

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 conference organisation and giving papers. You might also be able to take on teaching responsibilities in Cambridge School of Art, or organise research events such as conferences and seminars.

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.

Important Additional Notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the programme as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your research programme.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The MPhil and PhD research programs in Graphic Design and Typography at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) allow students to pursue their research interests in the field, supported by expert faculty.

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Objectives:

• Enable students to conduct original research in Graphic Design and Typography.
• Develop students' critical thinking, analytical, and research skills.
• Prepare students for careers in academia, research, or the creative industries.

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Program Description:

Students can frame their research within current critical debates and explore modern production and dissemination methods. Research can be practice-led and primarily conducted through design projects. Students are assigned two supervisors and have access to additional staff members if needed. Supervisors have expertise in various areas of graphic design and typography, with a focus on type design and type history. ARU provides research forums, such as the Typographic Research Group, and has strong connections with professional organizations. Students have opportunities to participate in publications, exhibitions, and conferences.

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Outline:

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Content:

• Graphic Design
• Typography
• Type Design
• Type History
• Critical Theory
• Research Methods

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Structure:

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

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Faculty:

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Academia
• Research
• Creative Industries

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Opportunities:

• Career development and training
• Involvement in external activities (e.g., conference organization, paper presentations)
• Teaching responsibilities in Cambridge School of Art

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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