PhD in Fine Art and Design – Sheffield Hallam University

Institution providing the doctoral degree

Sheffield Hallam University

Location

Sheffield | England, United Kingdom

Name of PHD

PhD in Fine Art and Design

Research Clusters

Fine Arts – Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Drawing, Decorative Art, Scenographic Art
Performing Arts – Drama and Theatre Studies, Dance and Ballet, Performative Practices (Theory and/or Practice)
Multimedia Arts, Audio-visual Techniques and Media Production
Design – Graphic Design; Industrial Design; Fashion Design; Textile Design…
History and Theory of Art + Cultural Heritage
Art Curating

Duration

4 years full time

7 years part time

Public / Private institution

Public University

Financial terms of the PHD position

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.shu.ac.uk/courses/art-and-design/phd-fine-art-and-design/full-time/2024#fees-and-funding

Funding resources:
https://www.shu.ac.uk/funding/scholarships-and-bursaries?tagFilter={1CF78602-D572-4778-8401-A0137EDC74C9}

https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/degrees/phd-scholarships

Final output

The final assessment is by examination of your submitted thesis and a viva voce (oral examination).

How to apply

We have three enrolment points for MPhil and PhD – October, February and May. Other degrees will have different enrolment points – please see the online prospectus for the start date of your course.

If you are applying for an MPhil, please contact the relevant Research Institute. For any other research degree, please follow the process below.

Step 1: Talk to us

We recommend that you contact us early in your decision making process to discuss your research ideas.

You should contact the relevant area you wish to study with directly to see if we can support your research idea.

Step 2: Write a research proposal

Once you have discussed you research idea you should prepare a clear, detailed research proposal. You will need to evidence that you have an aptitude for doctoral level research, and that you can communicate your research ideas clearly and concisely.

Proposals should be up to 1500 words long, and should include

an outline of the proposed research and the central questions, problems or hypothesis that you plan to address
the current knowledge and context, referencing key background literature
proposed methodology or approach, if known
the potential significance or impact of the research

Step 3: Apply

To consider your application, we will need

a completed application form (for an MPhil, please contact the relevant Research Institute)
a research proposal
two academic references
details of your funding, and copies of financial support letters where relevant
copies of qualifications, certificates and/or results transcripts
proof of English language ability, where English is not your first language
copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants

The link to the application form and information on entry requirements, English language requirements and fees can be found under the relevant subject information page.

If you are unsure which subject or course you need to apply for, please contact the relevant Research Institute for advice.

What happens next? Your application will be reviewed by a member of the doctoral admissions team in the relevant area. You will be assessed on the quality and feasibility of your research proposal, the fit with our research areas, and our supervisory capacity and expertise in your area of study.

Entry requirements

You need to provide evidence of:

A relevant undergraduate degree qualification (2.1 or above)
A relevant masters level qualification (Merit or above). Note that studentship applicants must have all degree results in hand before applying.

To apply, you must submit a fully complete online application, including:

A 1,500-word research proposal
Information about exhibitions/creative projects and concise creative practice documentation, portfolio or website link/s, either uploaded to the application as separate document/s, or include in your personal statement.
Degree certificates.
Module transcripts.
Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.
Sponsorship letter (if applicable).

All suitable candidates are invited to an interview and asked to give a short presentation about your proposed research. You will be asked questions about the project proposal and your interest in PhD level study. You are encouraged to find out more about our areas of research interest and expertise before applying. Potential supervisors can be identified through the research centre website linked above or by contacting the postgraduate research tutor for advice.

International Students (additional information)

If you are an international student (including non-UK European) see International Entry Requirements for guidance on entry requirements for your country.

All international applicants are required to show evidence (current within the last two years) of English language ability before embarking on a PhD. For this course, it must be at a minimum level of IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in all skill components (or equivalent). For more information about the different English language qualifications we accept, see English Language Qualifications. We also accept successful completion (within the last two years) of a UK degree course taught in English.

If evidence of English Language ability is not supplied at application, an offer of PhD study would be conditional on provision of such evidence.

Students who are based overseas may be able to study for a PhD by Distance Learning, subject to establishing a satisfactory distance learning agreement, as part of the application process.

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for ‘All students’.