PhD in Music, Drama, Film and Screen, and Heritage / Museum Studies Research Programmes – Ulster University
Ulster University
Belfast | Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
PhD in Music, Drama, Film and Screen, and Heritage / Museum Studies Research Programmes
- Performing Arts – Drama and Theatre Studies, Dance and Ballet, Performative Practices (Theory and/or Practice)
- Film Studies
- History and Theory of Art + Cultural Heritage
- Art Curating
- Musical and Vocal Performance
- Theory, Analysis and Musical Composition
- Music and Media
The PhD programme is studied over a 3 year period on a full-time basis or 6 years on a part-time basis.
Public University
- PhD fully funded and with a stipend by the university
- Self-funded PhD – you must provide both tuition and your own maintenance
- PhD Fully or partially externally funded, with a stipend, through private or public foundations, scholarships, grants, one or more companies, or public institutions that you have to find on your own
It is important to know that many universities offer different funding options and public and private grants available to students who match the application criteria. Before applying, it is a good idea to check the institutions’ websites and inquire about the options available to you.
Many universities require applicants to pay fees such as matriculation or dissertation fees, even if they offer a fully funded programme with or without a stipend.
Fees:
https://www.ulster.ac.uk/student/fees/tuition-fees
Funding resources:
https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/postgraduate-research/fees-and-funding
- An assessed 20–minute research seminar presentation (where relevant, incorporating elements of practice) to a group consisting of the Research Director/Postgraduate Tutor, one other member of academic staff that is not the researcher’s supervisor, and members of the PhD community.
- This presentation should summarise the main contribution to knowledge and significance of your PhD to your chosen discipline (or, in the case of interdisciplinary work, combination of disciplines). It should also provide outline details about methodology and structure of the project and you should also use this presentation to reflect upon any challenges associated with this work.
Extensive guidance on final submission of thesis and viva, including Notification of Intention to Submit, and Approval of Examination Arrangements (including internal and external examiners), can be found on the Doctoral College website.
A PhD must make a substantive, original contribution to knowledge, which is embodied within a research study which has both breadth of coverage (e.g. within the context of a literature review or a similar survey of practice) and depth of engagement with a particular problem/issue.
Especially in cases for which practice is involved, the length and format may vary. The following are indicative guidelines:
- Dissertation-only PhD (‘traditional’ form): university guidelines state the maximum word count to be 100,000 words
- Practice–led PhD (PhD in which practice forms a part of the investigatory process, which is examined for the most part through the dissertation): indicative word count 55,000–80,000 words, plus documentation of practice
- Practice–based PhD (PhD in which the major contribution is to be found in the portfolio of works, thematically related, illustrated by a supporting thesis): indicative word count 30,000- 45,000 words, plus portfolio.
For practice-based PhDs, discussions about the nature and scale of the practice, and the form which its documentation might take, should be discussed with your supervisory team at the earliest possible opportunity, in advance of the initial assessment.
Application procedures are well described here: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/postgraduate-research/apply
Entry requirements
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study. We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
English language requirements
In order to be admitted to research study at Ulster, you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as part of your application.
Get full details on the requirements for both home and overseas applicants can be found on our English language requirements page.
Info for international students: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply
Languages used within the program and for thesis writing and discussion: English.