| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Key Facts
Qualification
PhD
Course duration
3 years
Typical Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
MA Art History, or equivalent, and submission of a satisfactory portfolio.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent
Other Requirements
Applicants should submit a full research proposal at the point of application
Fees and Finance
Use the postgraduate Funding and Scholarship Calculator to find possible funding opportunities.
Course Overview
Areas of study
We offer a stimulating environment for postgraduate study and research in both fine art and art history. We are committed to art as an intellectual pursuit and a professional discipline; one which requires training, skill and practice as well as individual creativity. Students are chosen for their appropriateness to the professional and research interest of staff, and much of the tuition is by means of regular individual tutorials. Students are assigned to a supervisor and a particular area of study in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Book Illustration, Photography or Art History.
Art History Research Areas
- European art and visual culture since 1700, especially British and French
- Art in Wales
- History of printmaking, book illustration or photography
- Curating and collecting practices
- Ephemera as documents of everyday life
- Narrative and narratology.
Fine Art Research Areas
- Book Illustration
- Drawing
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Interdisciplinary practice (video, sound, installation and site-specific performance).
About this course
Duration of the PhD programmes
For PhD, duration is three years full-time or five years if taken part-time. For the three-year scheme candidates have a further two years in which to submit, and for the five-year scheme, a further four years in which to submit.
Modules September start - 2025
Year 1
Core
- Module Name: Principles of Research Design Module Code: PGM0210 Credit Value: 10
- Module Name: Ways of Reading *
Module Code: PGM0410
Credit Value: 10
- Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh
Teaching & Learning
Your study will advance through individual tutorials with a supervisor with whom you negotiate an action plan and a programme of independent research. The PhD is assessed by informed peer consensus on the project. You will be required to articulate a defence of your thesis with regard to its scope, depth and relevance in a viva voce.
Art History
The PhD in Art History is undertaken by a 100,000 word dissertation. The topics available for research supervision are listed under Areas of Study. The dissertation is intended for students who wish to pursue a protracted and sustained study of Art History with a view to producing original research in a specified area. You and your supervisor will determine a pattern for study, the submission of written work, and tutorials. Study is undertaken through supervision in the context of one-to-one tutorials, research seminars, supported study in research, writing, and oral delivery, independent study, and essays or projects.
Fine Art
The PhD in Fine Art recognises and awards intellectual endeavour in fine art practice comparable to that demonstrated through the PhD in Art History. It represents an independent and original contribution to knowledge of, and a permanent record of creative work in, Fine Art. The mode of study comprises: a substantial creative product (Exhibition and Supporting Work) set in a relevant theoretical, historical, critical and visual context; a written component (Dissertation = 30,000–40,000 words and Catalogue = 2,500–5,000 words) of equal importance to the body of creative work, recording and demonstrating a critical, historical, and diagnostic grasp of appropriate research methods and outcomes of the process and product. The PhD in Fine Art is assessed by an informed peer consensus on the mastery of the subject, of analytical breadth and depth, together with the communication of this mastery within the contribution and its defence in appropriate forms.
Overview:
Abertay University is a public university located in Dundee, Scotland. It is known for its focus on applied learning and its strong industry links. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as research opportunities.
Services Offered:
Abertay University provides a variety of services to its students, including:
Accommodation:
The university offers a range of student accommodation options, including halls of residence and private apartments.Student Support:
The university has a dedicated student support team that provides advice and guidance on a range of issues, including academic, personal, and financial matters.Careers Service:
The university's careers service helps students with their career planning, job searching, and internship applications.Library:
The Bernard King Library offers a wide range of resources, including books, journals, and online databases.Sport:
Abertay Sport offers a variety of sports and fitness activities for students.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Abertay University offers a vibrant and welcoming campus experience. Students can expect:
A buzzing city centre campus:
The university is located in the heart of Dundee, a vibrant city with a thriving arts and culture scene.A strong student community:
The Abertay Students' Association (ASA) provides a range of social and support services for students.Opportunities to get involved:
Students can join a variety of clubs and societies, participate in volunteering activities, and take part in events and activities organized by the university.Key Reasons to Study There:
Focus on applied learning:
Abertay University is known for its practical and industry-relevant approach to teaching.Strong industry links:
The university has strong relationships with businesses and organizations, providing students with opportunities for internships, placements, and career development.Vibrant and welcoming campus experience:
Abertay University offers a friendly and supportive environment for students.Located in a thriving city:
Dundee is a vibrant city with a lot to offer students, including a thriving arts and culture scene, a range of shops and restaurants, and easy access to the Scottish countryside.Academic Programs:
Abertay University offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Undergraduate programs:
The university offers a variety of undergraduate degrees in areas such as business, law, social science, applied sciences, design, and informatics.Postgraduate programs:
Abertay University offers a range of postgraduate taught and research degrees.Online Master's Degrees:
The university offers a number of online Master's degrees for students who want to study flexibly.Other:
Entry Requirements:
- MA Art History, or equivalent, and submission of a satisfactory portfolio.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent
