MPhil & PhD Programme Structure

The research degree programme is broken down into the following formal stages:​

1. Enrolment & induction: following successful application.
2. Training: in research methods, including a series of seminars on research in your field and workshops on topics such as preparing a research proposal, presentation and writing skills​.
3. Thesis proposal: in preparation of application for registration, prepared with support from your supervisory team​.
4. Registration: following successful confirmation of thesis proposal​.
5. Progress monitoring: supporting and monitoring research progress through supervision and annual reporting and reviews​.
6. Confirmation of route (MPhil/PhD): following successful submission of evidence of progress and level of future research​.
7. Nomination of VIVA Voce examiners​.
8. Thesis submission: for review by VIVA panel​.
9. Examination: Oral VIVA Voce​.
10. Response: if necessary, to examiners requirements including corrections, amendments and possible resubmission​.

MPhil Degrees​​

An MPhil degree will be awarded in recognition of a systematic, well documented and well-argued study, which demonstrates adequate knowledge and understanding, critical evaluation and discussion of a field of study.​

PhDs​​

A PhD will be awarded in recognition of the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship.
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PhD learning outcomes​​

On completion of a PhD research programme, and in relation to your practice in art, design and communication, we anticipate that you'll have shown evidence of being able to: ​

• Discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge and understanding through original research and/or scholarship of publishable quality which satisfies peer review.
• Present and defend research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or relevant area of professional practice.
• Demonstrate a systematic and extensive understanding and mastery of the knowledge, concepts, information and techniques relevant to research and scholarship at the forefront of the discipline or area of professional practice.
• Exhibit mastery and innovation in the exercise of generic and subject-specific intellectual abilities.
• Take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others.
• Independently and proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and to design, develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these.
• Critically and creatively evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline. ​

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MPhil learning outcomes​​

On completion of an MPhil research programme it's expected that you'll have shown evidence of being able to:

• Interpret and communicate knowledge and understanding through research and/ or scholarship of publishable quality which satisfies peer review.
• Present and defend research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or area of professional practice.
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding and mastery of the knowledge, concepts, information and techniques relevant to research at the forefront of the discipline or area of professional practice.
• Exhibit mastery and innovation in the exercise of generic and subject- specific intellectual abilities.
• Take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others.
• Proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and to design, develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these.
• Critically evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline.