Program Overview

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PhD Arts and Creative Industries

Overview

The School of Arts and Creative industries is an ideal place to undertake PhD research. You will join a small, vibrant and diverse group of PhD students and will be supervised by academics of international standing. Our doctoral students often work together organising conferences, assisting academics in editing academic journals and publications and leading research-related events and symposia.

Our applied research tackles real-world issues and encompasses a wide variety of methodologies and approaches, including practice-based research, empirical work on audiences and cultural institutions, as well as theory-driven analysis. We offer supervision in a variety of fields and we welcome diverse projects. 80% of our research was awarded 3* out of 4* for impact – ‘very considerable impacts in terms of their reach and significance’ – by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.

There are two Research Centres in the department reflecting distinct areas of specialism – Centre for the Study of Networked Image and Creative Technologies Research Centre. Our academic members of staff are active researchers, working at the cutting edge of research in many different aspects of performance and theatre, curation, museum studies, cultural policy, networked cultures, photography, film and journalism.

Why research at LSBU?

• We offer PhD supervision in a range of subject areas, methodological approaches and theoretical approaches, including practice-based research.
• Take full advantage of the proximity to London's cultural quarter by attending professional workshops, gaining temporary employment and participating in research events.
• Elephant Studios: multi-million pound studio facilities at the forefront of digital technologies and multimedia practice for creative students.
• Hone your networking skills and boost your employability by attending guest lectures and participating in live briefs and collaborations with industry professionals.

Areas of PhD research

We offer PhD supervision in a range of subject areas, methodological approaches and theoretical approaches, including practice-based research.

We welcome proposals in all areas of research relevant to the School, but are particularly interested in applications which relate to one or more of the following:

• online network cultures and the networked image
• art and technology
• cultural policy
• museum studies
• performance and borders
• performance and digital technologies
• institutional and educational evaluation
• digital storytelling (including digital journalism)
• sonic culture
• audience research
• production research (including games and VR/AR/MR)

Research environment and your life in the School

Research students benefit from engaging with highly qualified academic staff and become a vital part of our dynamic research culture. If you choose to study with us, you'll find our School a positive and creative place to research, discuss, create and reflect. See what our PhD student Lozana Rossenova says about her experience here.

The Borough Road building is the home of our School and the hub of our activities. It's a bright, open and flexible collection of spaces reflecting how we explore film, theatre and media. You'll study alongside a community of experts, who are active in academic research and cutting-edge practice.

• The Edric Theatre is a dedicated performance and rehearsal space with a 90-seat capacity, plus a 30-seat studio and backstage facilities.
• Elephant Studios: Multi-million pound studio facilities at the forefront of digital technologies and multimedia practice for creative students.
• Use the latest HD and Ultra HD camera technologies, both 4K and 2.5K.
• Use cutting edge editing softwares and video mapping technologies.

How do we support you?

• You'll receive support from our School and LSBU Doctoral College, which is the LSBU's hub for all doctoral activity. LSBU Doctoral College provides training, facilities and support services to enable you to perform at your best during your studies. All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in research methods is available through a bi-monthly module run by The School of Arts and Creative Industries. See how we support our students in partnership PhD context in this case study of Carolyn Defrin.

Presenting your work

Over the course of your PhD you will have the opportunity to share your work and network with other researchers, speak at conferences and workshops and visit or host researchers from elsewhere. We allocate a research fund to each of our PhD researchers to help with travel and accommodation costs.

Our School holds an annual summer school, run by the Centre for the Study of the Networked Image and regular PhD seminars, which give you the opportunity to present your work in a supportive atmosphere and discuss shared readings.

Mode | Duration | Start date | Application code | Application method

• Mode Full-time | Duration 3 years | Start date January; April; September | Application code 9003 | Application method Direct to LSBU
• Mode Part-time | Duration 5 years | Start date January; April; September | Application code 9023 | Application method Direct to LSBU
• Mode Distance learning | Duration 6 years | Start date January; April; September | Application code 9055 | Application method Direct to LSBU

Entry Level Requirements

Applicants for a Research Degree programme at LSBU are usually expected to have:

• a good honours degree (2:2 and above) and a relevant postgraduate qualification, preferably a merit at Master's level.
• two academic references
• proof of all of your qualifications.
• PhD proposal (see instructions here – I will provide the document)
• if English is not your first language you will be required to prove your competency in English, showing an IELTS score of at least 7.0 at postgraduate level.

You will be required to attend an interview with your potential supervisor, in person or by telephone, prior to an offer being made.

Fees

• UK: £5010
• International: £17600

Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.

Careers

A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking, and the ability to turn criticism of others work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, a new idea, or a new way of looking at something can be highly rewarding.

Many of our successful doctoral students have been appointed to full time lecturing posts both in the UK and internationally. We are also proud that many of our PhD students choose a career in the public sector and industry, working as curators or leading educational departments in major cultural organisations. Read about our alumni Zeta and her work in the industry here.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Transferable skills

A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking, and the ability to turn criticism of others work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, a new idea, or a new way of looking at something can be highly rewarding.

What kind of career paths are available to our students?

Many of our successful doctoral students have been appointed to full time lecturing posts both in the UK and internationally. We are also proud that many of our PhD students choose a career in the public sector and industry, working as curators or leading educational departments in major cultural organisations. Read about our alumni Zeta and her work in the industry here.

Register your interest

Contact information

Course Enquiries - UK Tel:

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• Film and Television Practice
• Acting for Stage and Screen

Related stories

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• Zeta Kolokythopoulou on studying a PhD whilst working in the industry
• London-based designer Lozana Rossenova undertakes a PhD in collaboration with Rhizome
• Chantay St Louis loves having the opportunity to explore mental health and emotions through indie games

Related events

• InSight - LSBU Photography Degree Show
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• Product of South Bank Degree Show (private view)