City

What you'll study

The PhD in Art and Design is a doctoral research programme focused on sustained original enquiry. Candidates pursue either a practice-based (studio/practice-led) or a more conventional thesis route, producing a substantial written component and, where appropriate, a body of creative work, exhibitions, or design outputs.

Key elements of the programme typically include:

• Research project – an individually defined programme of original research resulting in a thesis and/or practice outputs.
• Research methods and theory – advanced study of methodologies for creative research, critical theory, historiography, and interdisciplinary approaches appropriate to arts and design.
• Practice development – for practice-led candidates, sustained studio activity, documentation of process, and presentation of creative work in professional contexts.
• Professional practice and dissemination – training in exhibition-making, curatorial practice, publishing, grant-writing and dissemination strategies.
• Progression milestones – structured review points such as confirmation of candidature, progress reviews, and a final viva voce (oral examination) to assess the thesis and practice outputs.

Supervision is offered by staff with expertise across fine art, visual culture, design research and contemporary critical practices. Candidates are encouraged to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and to engage with London’s cultural and creative sectors as part of their research.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised master's degree in art, design, visual culture or a closely related subject, demonstrating advanced research training and academic capability. Practitioners with substantial professional experience and a strong portfolio may also be considered.

• Research proposal – a clear, feasible proposal outlining the research questions, methodology, intended outputs and contribution to knowledge or practice.
• Portfolio – for practice-led applicants, a selection of recent work (images, documentation, process notes, or links to digital materials) demonstrating the quality and relevance of practice.
• Academic references – usually two references addressing suitability for doctoral research.
• Interview – applicants may be invited to an interview or studio review with prospective supervisors.
• English language proficiency – if applicable, evidence of sufficient English language ability as set out in the university’s general regulations.

Admissions decisions take into account fit with supervisory expertise and available resources; applicants should consult the department for guidance on preparing proposals and portfolios.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Art and Design move into a variety of roles across academia, the cultural sector and the creative industries. Common career paths include:

• Academic and research positions, such as lecturer, research fellow or postdoctoral researcher.
• Curatorial and museum/gallery roles, including curatorship, exhibition management and collection research.
• Leadership and specialist roles in arts organisations, charities and cultural policy bodies.
• Senior creative and research positions within design studios, creative agencies and R&D departments, where advanced research skills and critical practice are valued.
• Independent practice as artists, designers or researchers, supported by exhibitions, commissions and funded projects.

The doctorate also provides credibility for consultancy, public engagement, grant-funded research and leadership roles that require advanced critical, communication and project management skills.

Why study at City

City is located in one of the world’s leading cultural capitals, offering proximity to major galleries, museums, design organisations and a dynamic creative ecosystem. The university fosters interdisciplinary research and provides access to specialist facilities, workshops and networks that support advanced practice and scholarly work.

Doctoral candidates benefit from dedicated supervision, a research training programme, and opportunities to collaborate across departments and with external partners. The department’s emphasis on connecting practice and research equips students to make impactful contributions to the arts and design sectors while developing professional avenues for dissemination and career development.