Program Overview

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Postgraduate research in art and design

Explore the PhDs and other postgraduate research degrees we offer in the subject of art and design: history, theory and practice.

Research degrees

Find out about our PhD, MPhil, and PhD by Publication opportunities in Art and Design below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree.

Art & Design PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Art and Design, or submit your own research idea.

PhD and MPhil projects

• Funded projects
  • There are currently no funded PhD projects available in this area – for more information on funding your own research project, visit our pages on funding your research degree.
• Self-funded projects
  • A Dance Theatre of Ecological Justice
  • Visualising History
• Submit your own idea
  • If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

PhD by Practice

Within the School of Architecture, Art and Design, we also offer a PhD by Practice – a postgraduate research degree that's specifically designed to recognise your prior artistic practice.

Duration, fees and funding

What do my tuition fees cover?

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

• The cost of your postgraduate research programme at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
• Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through The Doctoral College
• Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
• A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
• Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
• Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 77% of our research is world leading and internationally excellent in REF 2021
• Your graduation ceremony
• Viva examination and administration costs
• The facilities and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the Library, and laboratories
• Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
• University support services including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
• Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
• Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

How long will my research degree take?

• MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
• PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
• PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

How much will my degree cost?

• February 2025 and April 2025 fees
  • PhD and MPhil
    • UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
      • Full-time: £4,786 per year
      • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year
    • EU students
      • Full-time: £4,786 per year
      • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year
    • International students
      • Full-time: £17,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
      • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,600 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • PhD by Publication
    • External candidates: £4,786
    • Members of staff: £1,950
• October 2025, February 2026 and April 2026
  • PhD and MPhil
    • UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
      • Full-time and full-time distance learning: £5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
      • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
    • EU students
      • Full-time and full-time distance learning: £5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
      • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
    • International students
      • Full-time and full-time distance learning: £17,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
      • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,600 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • PhD by Publication
    • External candidates: £5,006
    • Members of staff: £2,000

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee.

Funding support

MPhil full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Postgraduate Loan (UK/EU students only).

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan (UK/EU students only).

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, or MPhil include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our Doctoral College, alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Doctoral College will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers training, workshops and events.

You'll access facilities for practical and creative development in a wide range of production methods. You can use study areas for creative practice and academic study, dedicated computer suites with the latest software and digital printing, a printmaking workshop, photographic facilities, digital fabric printing and laser cutting.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

After researching with us, our successful postgraduate research candidates have gone on to impressive positions in academia and the private sector.

Current research

Explore the work we're doing across our 6 areas of research expertise in Art and Design: History, Theory and Practice.

Histories and Theories of Art, Design, Visual and Material Culture

Our research locates the historical and contemporary production and consumption of art, design, visual and material culture in wider social, cultural, political and economic contexts.

Graphic and communication design

Our research is looking at the history of design, and ethnographic studies in relation to design, design usability, legibility studies, design knowledge, and epistemology.

Illustration, Drawing, Artists Books and Zines

Our research explores how self-publishing can allow a more diverse range of authors to communicate with an audience and investigates authorial illustration as an emerging genre.

Fashion, textiles and material futures

Our fashion, textiles and material futures research is addressing important issues around fashion and textile design and its associated industries.

Photography

We're using the photographic image in its expanded field as an investigative tool. Our research explores photography as a medium, and investigates how photographic practices shape individual subjectivity and modernity.