art science phd

We have 442 art science PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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art science PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Phd positions (f/m/x) in data science, funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

Germany PhD Programme

A German PhD usually takes 3-4 years. Traditional programmes focus on independent research, but more structured PhDs involve additional training units (worth 180-240 ECTS credits) as well as placement opportunities. Both options require you to produce a thesis and present it for examination. Many programmes are delivered in English.

5 Fully funded PhD positions in biology, biochemistry, life science, chemistry, medicine, computer science or related fields

Computer science: epsrc and swansea university funded phd scholarship: explainable ai for mathematical modelling, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Take your research degree with the School of Science, Monash University Malaysia

International phd programme.

International PhD programs are often designed for international students. Your PhD will usually be delivered in English, though some opportunities to gain and use additional language skills might also be available. Students may propose their own PhD topics or apply for advertised projects.

MRes Sport, Exercise and Health Science (Project ID SAS0202)

Self-funded phd students only.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Self-Funded PhD Opportunities in Baking Science and Technology

The PhD opportunities on this programme do not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

PhD Research Programme

PhD Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

PhD Positions in Life Science and Biomedicine Research Groups supported by a structured PhD program

Faculty of science, masaryk university, social sciences research programme.

Social Sciences Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Sensing wastewater for real-time public health PhD

Ai-based interventions for mental health conditions, self-supervised learning for complex visual understanding, machine learning and deep learning for advanced medical imaging and diagnostics, apply now for our fully funded phd scholarships in singapore at the institute for digital molecular analytics & science (idmxs), singapore phd programme.

A Singaporean PhD usually takes 3 years. Programmes are highly structured with taught courses and qualifying examinations in the first year, before students are confirmed as PhD candidates and allowed to produce a thesis. This is presented in a public seminar and then defended in a private oral examination. Programmes are often delivered in English.

UKRI CDT in AI for Biomedical Innovation

Ukri centre for doctoral training.

UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training conduct research and training in priority topics related to Artificial Intelligence. They are funded by the UK Government through UK Research and Innovation. Students may receive additional training and development opportunities as part of their programme.

Investigating the science of synaesthesia and crossmodal experience as a basis of robust parameters for a visual language of sound.

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The UC San Diego Visual Arts PhD Program grants two PhD degrees: Art History, Theory and Criticism and Art History, Theory and Criticism with a Concentration in Art Practice . The program embodies the department's commitment to innovative research by embracing the close intersection of art, media, and design practice with history, theory, and criticism, and by offering training in the history, theory, and criticism of a range and mix of areas represented in our MFA faculty, including studio art, film, video, photography, computational media, performance art, public art, design, visual culture, and socially engaged art practice. Regional and cultural frameworks of study include European and Latin American art, Chinese art, nineteenth-century French visual culture, Mesoamerican, Native American, and Indigenous art and material culture, Medieval art and culture, queer and feminist art, material culture, science, technology, and art; and ocean, environmental, and land art.

The Art Practice Concentration degree, which must be applied for at the time of application to the PhD program, follows the same course of scholarly training, research, and writing as the Art History, Theory and Criticism degree, with additional requirements in research-based art practice that span all years of coursework, qualifying, and doctoral research. Two students are admitted to this concentration annually.

Information for Current and Prospective Students

Requirement overview, program requirements.

• Coursework, 88 units

Language Requirement

• Qualifying Materials and Exams

Dissertation and Defense

• For VA77 Only- Art Practice Project and Exhibition

Full Time Enrollment

In order to remain eligible for financial support all graduate students must be enrolled   in 12 units of upper-division (100-199) or graduate level (200 and above) courses each quarter during the regular academic year. Graduate students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to maintain good academic standing. The majority of students will choose to complete the majority of their academic coursework for a letter grade.

Pre-Candidacy

Coursework should be chosen in consultation with the Advisor and should be taken in preparation for the Qualifying phase. During the first three years in the program, students should aim to fulfill the following requirements:

• MA en Route Requirements (if interested and eligible)
• Qualifying Materials and Exams (year 3)

Advancing to candidacy occurs when the student has passed all course, language, and qualifying requirements and is ready to research and write a dissertation. Doctoral candidates, sometimes referred to as “all but dissertation” or ABD, work on their dissertation with Advisor and Committee consultation and feedback for two or more years. During this time, Art Practice candidates additionally produce the required art practice components. Each quarter, most doctoral candidates typically enroll in 8-12 units of VIS 299 and/or 4 units of a 500, in consultation with their Advisor. Candidacy concludes when the candidate completes and successfully defends the dissertation (and, for VA77, the additional Art Practice requirements) and is awarded the doctorate.

Degree Paths

The program consists of two degree paths: Art History, Theory and Criticism (VA76) and Art Practice (VA77), a concentration designed for artists engaged in advanced research who wish to pursue their work in an environment geared to doctoral study, and to produce studio, media, performance or public facing work alongside a written dissertation. See Handbook for further details.

Interdisciplinary Specializations

Students within the PhD program who are interested in the opportunity to undertake specialized research may apply to participate in an interdisciplinary specialization. Students accepted into a specialization program would be expected to complete coursework in addition to those required for their PhD program. The department offers interdisciplinary specializations with the following campus programs.

• Anthropogeny:   for students with an interest in human origins
• Critical Gender Studies:   providing specialized training in gender and sexuality
• Interdisciplinary Environmental Research : for students interested in environmental solutions

Curriculum: VA76 Art History, Theory and Criticism

VA76- 22 courses, 88 units

GENERAL FIELD EMPHASIS

During the first year of study, students declare a general area of study in consultation with their Advisor and with the approval of the Faculty Director. This general field emphasis will be considered as they choose courses and, toward year three, plan their qualifying materials. See the Handbook for general field options.

CORE REQUIREMENTS (8 courses, 32 units)

Required (4 courses, 16 units):

• VIS 200- Methods and Theories
• VIS 204- Rethinking Art History
• VIS 500 (1 course, 4 units)- Apprentice Teaching
• VIS 502- Graduate Teaching in Visual Arts

Breadth (4 courses, 16 units), choose from 4 different areas with 3 different faculty:

• Medieval, Renaissance or Early Modern Art- VIS 251, VIS 252
• Modern and Contemporary Art- VIS 254, VIS 255
• Media Studies- VIS 256
• Meso-American Art or North American Indigenous Art- VIS 257, VIS 260
• Asian Art- VIS 258
• Latin American Art- VIS 259
• Material Culture- VIS 261
• Design Studies- VIS 262

ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS (14 courses, 56 units), choose from the following options:

• Art History Seminars (VIS 230-269), a minimum of 6 MUST be taken for the elective area
• Graduate Research (VIS 299), during 1st year with provisional advisor
• Professional Practice Seminar (VIS 220)
• Art Theory/Practice (VIS 206, VIS 210-219), a maximum of 2 may be taken
• Other Department, a maximum of 3 graduate level courses may be taken 
• Reading Courses (approved undergrad courses), a maximum of 4 may be taken 
• Directed Group Study (VIS 298), a maximum of 1 may be taken
• Individual Studies (VIS 295), a maximum of 12 units may be taken with Advisor

Curriculum: VA77 Art History, Theory and Criticism- Art Practice

VA77- 22 courses, 88 units

CORE REQUIREMENTS (12 courses, 48 units)

Required (9 courses, 36 units):

• VIS 206- Seminar in Art Practice Research
• VIS 207 (repeat 3 times for 12 units)- Working Practice for Art Practice
• VIS 210-219, 1 course from Art Theory/Practice 

Breadth (3 courses, 12 units), choose from 3 different areas with 3 different faculty:

ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS (10 courses, 40 units), choose from the following options:

• Art History Seminars (VIS 230-269), a minimum of 3 MUST be taken for the elective area
• Art Theory/Practice (VIS 210-219), a maximum of 2 may be taken
• Other Department, a maximum of 3 may be taken 
• Reading Courses (approved undergrad courses), a maximum of 2 may be taken 
• Directed Group Study (VIS 298), a maximum of 4 units may be taken

For the VA76 PhD students, competency in reading, understanding, and interpreting texts in two languages other than English is required before advancement to candidacy (Qualifying Exam stage), and competency in at least one language is expected at the time of application to the program. Art Practice Concentration students (VA77) will be required to satisfy competency in one language other than English before advancing to PhD candidacy. The student and their Advisor will jointly determine examination languages. 

The Program’s language requirement may be met in one of three ways: 

• Passing the department’s in-house Language Exam  
• Passing one approved graduate-level language course 
• Passing two approved upper-division undergraduate language courses 
• Passing a two-year sequence of approved undergraduate language courses in a single language  

Required Paperwork

For each language exam or course sequence taken to satisfy a language requirement, a Language Completion form must be completed by the student, the proctor/instructor and submitted to the Student Affiars Manager in order to receive credit for completion of the language requirement. Submitted forms are automatically routed via DocuSign for approval and processing.

In-House Language Exams

In-house Language Exams test ability in reading and comprehension (by translation into English) only, not writing or spoken fluency in the designated language. The exam consists of two short texts, one less difficult to be translated into English without a dictionary, and one more difficult to be translated with a dictionary. The dictionary may be either a printed volume or an on-line resource. One hour is allowed for each section (total test time: 2 hours). The translations may be written on a computer or by hand. Exams are corrected by the faculty member responsible for designing the exam, who also invigilates the test. If adequate reading knowledge is not demonstrated, the student’s Advisor will review with the student and the faculty setting the exam the steps necessary to master the language and a new exam will be scheduled within a reasonable amount of time. 

Students requesting an in-house language examination should consult with faculty responsible for particular languages:

• Chinese and Japanese : Professor Kuiyi Shen 
• French : Professors. Jordan Rose and John Welchman 
• German : Professor Alena Williams 
• Italian : Professor William Tronzo 
• Korean : Professor Kyong Park
• Mayan languages : Professor Elizabeth Newsome 
• Spanish : Professors Elizabeth Newsome and Mariana Wardwell 
• Turkish: Professors Memo Akten and Pinar Yoldas

Individual arrangements for determination of competency will be made for those languages that cannot be tested by department faculty . 

Committee Constitution and Management

About the committee.

This is the group of four faculty who agree to the student’s request for mentorship and evaluation during the qualifying and doctoral years. The Committee is chaired by the Advisor(s). In addition to mentoring and guiding the student’s research, this team serves as the Qualifying Committee and the Doctoral or Dissertation Committee, conducting the Qualifying Exam and the Dissertation Defense. The committee must be formally appointed by Graduate Division in the process outlined below.

Committee Constitution

The Committee Chair is the student’s Faculty Advisor/Co-Advisors and is selected by Year Two through mutual agreement with the student. The rest of the Committee is constituted through request and consent between the student and other faculty, with the guidance and approval of the Advisor(s). 

Makeup of the committee:

• 3 Visual Arts Faculty (including the Chair/Co-Chairs), 1 member may be a non-PhD faculty
• 1 tenured or emeritus faculty from outside the department

For each option, Assistant or Acting-Associate Faculty may serve as a general member or Co-Chair but not as sole Chair. The Graduate Division website has  additional information  about committees and a  Committee Membership Table  which may be helpful in determining what role a faculty member may serve on a committee.

Submitting Your Committee

After faculty have agreed to serve on the Committee, and the Faculty Advisor has approved the list, the student must complete and send the  Committee Constitution form  which will be routed to the Student Affiars Manager for processing.  This form must be approved by the Graduate Division by Week 5 BEFORE the Qualifying Exam .

Changing Your Committee

There are times when committee membership must change after the intial review and approval. All changes to committee membership need to be approved by the Department and then Graduate Division. Committee reconstitution must be completely reviewed and approved by Week 5, the quarter PRIOR to QE/Defense. When changing committee membership:

• Review the Committee Membership requirements 
• Discuss the change in committee membership with the Committee Chair/Co-chairs
• Discuss the change in committee with impacted committee members
• Complete the   Committee Reconstitution form   which will be routed to the Student Affairs Manager for processing.

Committee Management

It is the responsibility of the student, in consultation with their advisor/committee chair, to engage with and request feedback on drafts of written materials and (for VA77) documentation of artwork progress with all committee members during research and writing of their qualifying materials and dissertation. The student also must email final copies of all materials to their Committee prior to their Qualifying Exam and Dissertation Defense. 

Qualifying Exam, Advancement to Candidacy

About the qualifying process.

The Qualifying process occurs throughout Year Three. The student, under the supervision of the Advisor and with the advice of the Committee, prepares two bibliographies (one on the chosen field of emphasis and the second pertaining to the proposed dissertation); writes a qualifying paper and a dissertation prospectus; and takes written and oral examinations pertaining to these documents. The Art Practice PhD additionally requires a practice prospectus and a third bibliography.

Qualifying Exam

The Qualifying Examination has two parts: A Written Examination in which the student writes two essays over five days in response to questions provided by the Committee; and two weeks later,  a 2- or 2.5-hour Oral Examination led by the Committee, during which the student is asked questions and put in dialog about all of the qualifying materials.

Qualifying Timeline

A student must have completed all required course work and passed all language examinations before taking the qualifying examination, which will be held no later than the end of the third year. Upon successful completion of the qualifying examination, the student will be advanced to candidacy.

Qualifying Exam Administrative Checklist  

Qualifying Exam Failure

Should a student fail the examination, the Faculty Committee will clarify the weaknesses in the exam, so that the student can prepare to take it a second time. If a second oral examination is warranted, they will have to re-take and pass the exam prior to the end of the Pre-Candidacy Time Limit (or they need an extension approved to continue). They can always take a leave and return but if the PCTL is expired, they will have to advance before returning or an exception to extend the time would be need to be approved prior to retuning. If the student fails the oral examination a second time, their graduate studies in the department will be terminated.

MA en Route

• Five Art History seminars 
• VIS 200 Methods and Theories
• VIS 204 Re-Thinking Art History 
• One Theory/Practice seminar (chosen from VIS 210-219)
• Four breadth courses, from four different breadth areas

We do not offer an MA with an Art Practice concentration. Therefore, Art Practice concentration students must make a formal change in their degree aim to designate Art History, Theory, and Criticism (VA76). This change must take place at least two quarters prior to the Qualifying Exam. 

Note:   Students who wish to receive an MA as part of the Ph.D. program   must apply for master’s degree candidacy by the end of the second week of the quarter in which they expect to receive the degree.   Please see the Graduate Coordinator regarding this process.

Necessary Documents for the Qualifying Exam

• Report of the Qualifying Exam

Necessary Documents for the MA on the Way

• Application for MA (due week two) 
• Final Report for MA 

Best Practices for Completing the Report of the Qualifying Exam and Final Report via DocuSign:

• Ahead of your exam/defense ask faculty to add [email protected] as a “safe sender” so those emails are less likely to go to junk/spam. Although campus IT has taken steps to identify DocuSign as a safe sender, it is still recommended that individual users do so as well.
• At the end of your Exam/Defense ask your committee members to check their email for the DocuSign email with the link to the form and sign while you're all online together. 
• ask the faculty to check their junk folder, spam quarantine, or other spam folders
• next, ask them to log into their DocuSign account using their @ucsd.edu email address and SSO credentials to access the form/s directly (https://docusign.ucsd.edu) *some people have personal DocuSign accounts so ask them to ensure they are logging into the UCSD DocuSign account
• Get verbal confirmation of who has signed and who has not, then follow-up with the Student Affairs Manager to resolve any issues your committee members have with signing the form.
• Once the appropriate form is submitted to the Graduate Division, the appropriate fee will be charged directly to the student’s financial TritonLink account. 

About the Dissertation

Following successful completion of the qualifying examinations, the candidate will research and write a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of their Advisor and with the input of the Committee. Students in the art practice concentration (VA77) will submit a written dissertation that observes the same regulations and conventions as VA 76, except that the length requirement is slightly shorter and there must be one additional chapter devoted to discussion of the art practice. In addition, Art Practice candidates will additionally produce and exhibit a visual component. See the Handbook for details. 

About the Defense

After the committee has reviewed the finished dissertation (and art practice components, for VA 77), the candidate will orally defend their dissertation (and art practice work and exhibition), responding to questions from the Committee in a meeting that may be public (the student may invite visitors), as per university policy. The Dissertation Defense is the culmination of all of your work within the Ph.D. program. Please read all of the information on the Graduate Division's website about " Preparing to Graduate " and make an appointment to speak with the Student Affairs Manager one year prior to when you plan to defend.

Roles and Responsibilities for the Defense

Student will:

• Schedule the Dissertation Defense with their committee. This is normally scheduled for three hours. (You are responsible for reserving a room or scheduling the zoom meeting). 
• Complete the PhD Dissertation Defense Notification form which will notify the Student Affairs Manager of the date and time of the defense. This form is required so that the Final Report paperwork can be initiated and sent to your committee members on the date of the defense.
• Follow-up with your committee, the Graduate Division, and the Student Affairs Manager about any issues surrounding the completion of your degree.

Faculty Advisor will:

• Ensure the   policy   appropriate participation of all members of the committee at the Dissertation Defense. It is also helpful to remind all committee members to sign the forms by checking their inboxes for the DocuSign request to sign the forms. These sometimes end up in a person's spam folder.

Student Affairs Manager will:

• Fill out the Final Report form via DocuSign and route the form the morning of the exam/defense for signature to all committee members, the department chair, and the Graduate Division.
• Follow-up with committee members regarding signatures on the Final Report and general petition forms (if needed).
• Send out the announcement of the defense to department faculty and graduate students.

Additional Information and Tasks

Preliminary Dissertation Appointments with the Graduate Division: Students will schedule their preliminary and final appointments with Graduate Division Academic Affairs Advisors utilizing the online calendaring system they have in place:   https://gradforms.ucsd.edu/calendar/index.php

Committee Management : If you need to make any changes to your doctoral committee please follow the instructions above in the "Committee Management" drawer. 

Embargo Your Dissertation:   Talk to your faculty advisor about embargoing your dissertation. You may want to embargo your dissertation if you are planning to turn it into a book. The embargo will delay the university's publication of your dissertation and prevent other academics from using your research.   https://grad.ucsd.edu/_files/academics/DissertThesisReleaseTemplate.pdf

Necessary Documents for the Dissertation Defense

• Final Report (routed for signature by the Student Affairs Manager)

Best Practices for Completing the Final Report via DocuSign:

• At the end of your Defense ask your committee members to check their email for the DocuSign email with the link to the form and sign while you're all online together. 
• Get verbal confirmation of who has signed and who has not, then follow up with the Student Affairs Manager to resolve any issues your committee members have with signing the form.

Paying Associated Fees:  For students who will need to pay fees (advancement to candidacy, thesis submission fee, filing fee, re-admit fee), they will be charged on the financial TritonLink account once the form is received by the Graduate Division. There is no need for students to go to the cashier’s office.

Grades and Evaluations

Only courses in which a student received grades of A, B, or S are allowed toward satisfaction of the requirements for the degree. Note that a “C” is generally regarded as unsatisfactory within this department. In satisfaction of all program requirements and electives, A, A-, and B+ are regarded as acceptable grades for seminars and courses. Grades of B, B- indicate weaknesses and are cause for concern. Grades of C+ or below are regarded as unsatisfactory and may lead to academic probation. University policy states that any student with more than 8 units of “U” and/or “F” grades is barred from future registration including the next available quarter. It is not recommended that VIS 295/298/299 are taken for a letter grade.

Grade Point Average

A graduate student must maintain a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (B average) to continue in good standing. A student is subject to dismissal if the overall grade point average falls below 3.0 at any time.

Spring Evaluation

Every Spring quarter, Advisors (in the first year Provisional Advisors) will submit an evaluation of their advisee’s progress to Graduate Division. Students are expected to submit a summary of the past academic year to their advisor. These evaluations serve as an important tool for students and advisors in assessing student progress, while also providing suggestions and goals for students’ successful completion of their projects.   

The Graduate Division will review the evaluations when student/departments are making specific requests for exceptions

The duration of the Ph.D. program is five to eight years. University and departmental regulations stipulate that the maximum tenure of graduate study at UC San Diego or Total Registered Time Limit (TRTL) is eight years; while seven years is the limit for receiving any type of university financial support or a student's Support Time Limit (SUTL). For the Department of Visual Arts, the "normative" time to degree is 6 years. Students are expected to pass their qualifying exam and advance to candidacy in year three, but no later than year four which is the university's Pre-candidacy time limit (PCTL).

To learn more about time limits please visit the Graduate Division website.

Time Limits:  https://grad.ucsd.edu/academics/progress-to-degree/time-to-doctorate-policy.html

You can check your time limit by logging into the Graduate Student Portal.

Graduate Student Portal:  https://gradforms.ucsd.edu/portal/student/

PhD Current Students

Phd handbook.

The department website and catalog are great resources for students to learn generally about the PhD program and progress towards their degree. There are detailed instructions and robust program information available in the full PhD Handbook. Each student should refer to this resource throughout their academic career.

2023-24 Academic Year

2022-23 Academic Year  

2021-22 Academic Year

How to Apply

• Join our PhD Art History Program (VA76)
• Join our PhD Art Practice Program (VA77)

History of Art, PhD

Zanvyl krieger school of arts and sciences.

The graduate program is designed to give students working toward the PhD degree an encompassing knowledge of the history of art and a deep understanding of the theories and approaches pertaining to art historical research. The program emphasizes collaborative working relationships among students and faculty in seminars. Each PhD student benefits from supervision by a primary advisor in their field of study, while continuing to work closely with other department faculty. Students will routinely avail themselves of faculty expertise in other departments, dependent on their area of study.

The program also fosters a close familiarity with the outstanding art in the Baltimore–Washington area relevant to the student’s area of study. In addition to the rich holdings of the Sheridan Libraries of Johns Hopkins University (which include collections of rare books at the Garrett Library, Special Collections at the Milton S. Eisenhower Library, and the George Peabody Library) graduate students have access to world-renowned collections and research facilities in Washington D.C.

Our recent PhD students have gone on to academic, administrative, and museum positions at institutions around the world including Aarhus University, American University of Paris, Arcadia University, Baylor University, Columbia University, DePaul University, Florida State University, Howard University, King’s College London, Marshall University, National Museum of Denmark, Notre Dame University of Maryland, Oberlin College, Portland State University, University of Chicago, University of Pittsburgh, University of San Francisco, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Wellesley College. 

Admission Requirements

Admission and financial aid.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program in History of Art should upload and submit all required application materials and supporting documents through the online application. For information about applying to the Ph.D. program in History of Art, please see the department's website . Applications must be completed by December 15.

To foster close student-faculty relationships and provide for the greatest flexibility in developing each graduate student's individual curriculum, the department strictly limits the number of students it admits each year.

All graduate students entering the program are guaranteed five years of support, contingent upon satisfactory progress year by year. This support covers the individual’s full tuition costs and health insurance, and includes a stipend annually. Student stipends are guaranteed at the level stated in the letter of offer (for incoming students) and in the renewal letter (for continuing students) for the duration of the applicable period.  

Outstanding graduate applicants from underrepresented communities are regularly nominated for the Kelly Miller Fellowship , named for the first African-American to attend Johns Hopkins, as a graduate student in the Department of Mathematics in 1887. The fellowship provides additional funding to support student research, travel, and study during the student’s graduate career. In addition to the financial award, Kelly Miller Fellows benefit from quarterly programming designed to enhance the graduate experience and ensure professional success.   

All ABD students (those who have completed all requirements but the dissertation, something that usually happens in year three) are strongly encouraged to apply for external grants and fellowships to support their dissertation research and writing. The department also has internal fellowships to support students beyond their fifth year. Funds to support s ummer and conference travel are also available through the department, the Dean’s office, and cross-disciplinary programs. The Dean’s Teaching Fellowship enables advanced students to propose, design, and teach an undergraduate seminar course and provides one semester of support. Further details available via our website .  

PhD Requirements

In discussion with major and minor field advisors, History of Art Ph.D. students develop areas of concentration and courses of study to suit their intellectual interests and commitments. The art history faculty also encourages students to take full advantage of offerings in other departments, and students may, if they choose, develop a minor field in another discipline.

All students entering the Ph.D. program, regardless of the degree they hold, must complete four full semesters of coursework and pass the required language exams before being approved to take their qualifying exams (also known as the Ph.D. exams). In the first year, students normally take three courses at the graduate level per semester; in the second year, when students generally assume Teaching Assistant assignments , the student will normally take two courses at the graduate level per semester. As part of the coursework requirement, students must satisfactorily complete and submit all assigned papers and projects associated with the courses they have taken before being approved to take their qualifying exams.

All qualifying exams, regardless of the fields in which they are taken, are comprised of two written exams (one major field and one minor field), followed by an oral defense before the advisors and other department faculty. Exams should take place during the student’s third year; in some instances (e.g. the need for additional specialized language training beyond the modern language requirement or additional coursework) the exams may be taken later.

After the successful completion of qualifying exams, it is expected that students will be ready to begin work towards the dissertation by formulating a proposal. The dissertation proposal should be approximately 6–8 pages in length (10 pages will be the maximum), with a list of works cited and a very selective sample of figures appended. Simple parenthetical references to the works cited list are preferable to footnotes. Each proposal must contain a relatively straightforward description of the principal object of study and the defining questions the work seeks to answer, as well as a working title that captures the subject and the theme. The body of the proposal often also includes discussion of the current state of research, the intended contribution of the work to the field, and a preview of the research agenda and its challenges.

Students, having ideally secured outside research funding, then proceed to pursue dissertation research and writing. When the dissertation is complete, the student must successfully defend the dissertation before a Graduate Board Orals committee consisting of three internal (departmental) readers and two external readers. Successful defense of the dissertation and electronic submission of the work, complete in all its components, marks the fulfillment of the program’s degree requirements. 

Art History Fields

The department affords students of ancient art the opportunity to work with a faculty that includes experts in Greek, Roman, Mediterranean, and Ancient Near Eastern art and architecture. Students also benefit from close and long-standing relationships with the Departments of Classics and Near Eastern Studies, which provide training in the languages, literatures, and histories of the ancient world. Facilities of special relevance to students of ancient art include the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum , located on campus inside Gilman Hall, and the extraordinary holdings of the Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art .

Since its founding in 1947, the department has given special emphasis to the study of medieval art, and that tradition continues with a new generation of faculty bringing expertise in Early Medieval, Gothic, Islamic, Italian, and Mediterranean art and architecture to the program. Students also avail themselves of local expertise through the departments of History , English , and Modern Languages and Literatures , and frequently consult with curators at the Walters Art Museum, several of whom participate as adjunct faculty. The extraordinary collections at the Walters Art Museum and at Dumbarton Oaks are especially valuable for students interested in manuscript illumination and the portable object.

Early Modern and Renaissance 

Another signature strength of the Department of the History of Art is its expertise in the Early Modern period, encompassing the art, architecture, and culture of Italy, the Spanish Empire, the Islamic world, and Northern Europe from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century.  Graduate students in these areas participate in the programs of the Charles Singleton Center for the Study of Pre-Modern Europe , which sponsors collaborative research abroad and brings a steady stream of world-class lecturers to Baltimore. Students also benefit from the excellent collections of Islamic art, Italian and Northern Renaissance art, and the art of the Spanish Empire at the Walters Art Museum, the National Museum of Asian Art, the National Gallery, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

At Hopkins a diverse and challenging curriculum in modern art and criticism is offered by a research faculty of international prominence, supplemented by occasional visiting scholars and museum curators. Students oriented toward the study of criticism and aesthetic theory can also broaden their perspective and develop their critical skills by taking courses offered through the Comparative Thought and Literature , Philosophy , History , English, Modern Languages and Literatures, Political Science , and Anthropology , and with faculty affiliated with the programs in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Africana Studies, Latin American Studies, and Islamic Studies. Distinctive collections at the Baltimore Museum of Art and at multiple institutions in Washington, D.C., (the Hirshhorn Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Museum of Asian Art, the Phillips Collection, and others) provide unparalleled resources for students of modern art at all levels.  

A peer-reviewed online journal

Studies in the Arts: An Artistic-Scientific Doctorate

Text: Thomas Gartmann  | Section: On ‘Art and Science’

Abstract: Since 2011, the University of Bern and the Bern Academy of the Arts have been running a joint interdisciplinary artistic-scientific doctoral programme that is unique. This article presents the programme and its contents, but also its challenges, results, and perspectives. An in-depth interview by Angelika Boeck and Peter Tepe with Thomas Gartmann is in preparation.

Studies in the Arts: this is a relatively young branch of science. The phenomenon of researching artists, however, is not new: Leonardo da Vinci is the prime example of a universal scholar and artist, Goethe was also one, or Alexander Ritter, all of whom were interested in the natural sciences as well. However, the artistic approach to research has increased in recent years: art not only as an object, but also as a means of gaining knowledge. 

But what distinguishes artistic from academic research? It is above all institutional differences and those of demarcation and division of labour: research on art. Such basic research is carried out by the university and art colleges. Research for the arts as applied research is only done by universities of applied sciences. An example of this: How do we package and transport fragile works of art? Here the Bern Academy of the Arts (HKB) did research for museums, transport, and insurance companies. Finally, we have research in and through art, or art through research, simplified: art as research. A real meta-discourse has developed on this in recent years, on definitions, quality criteria, methods, and evaluations, and above all on the justification of art as research.  

Today, research in the arts is established and is also state funded in Austria and Switzerland, for example. The different characteristics of the various types of schools converged at the same time, so that the Swiss National Science Foundation, for example, soon spoke of use-inspired basic research here as well and included this perspective in the evaluation of research proposals from 2011 onwards. Consequently, in the same year, the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Bern and the HKB founded the Graduate School of the Arts (GSA), the first and for a long time the only Swiss doctoral programme for artists and designers. Since then, it has been possible in Switzerland for graduates of art, music, and theatre colleges to do a university doctorate, more exactly: a philosophical doctorate. This model, which is unique in Switzerland and beyond, offers a joint artistic/design and academic doctoral programme Studies in the Arts (SINTA, since 2019 under this name, previously as Graduate School of the Arts). These transdisciplinary SINTAs bring art and science together. Theory and practice are closely intertwined, as is basic and practice-oriented research. 

When the doctoral school was founded, it was first necessary to carefully explain what research in the arts and design could actually mean and to defend it against suspicious objections. The doctoral students found themselves in a clinch of prejudices, so to speak they had to prove that they were methodically on the cutting edge and at the same time convincing artistically. Today, the programme has become indisputably self-evident: SINTA have consolidated well. The number of members has increased at just under 40, the averages duration of study at five years. Most graduates have found jobs or have been able to improve their careers; three are now second supervisors of dissertations themselves, one already holds an Ambizione position funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, i.e., a kind of junior professorship.  

So, what does this hybrid of artistic and academic doctoral programme mean, which our cooperation professes and which the programme puts on its flag and website ( www.sinta.unibe.ch )? It is not the practice-based PhD that various art colleges are currently trying out. Nor is it the purely academic education that I enjoyed as a musicologist in my day. Rather, it is the Bern model, which is anchored in both institutions, with consistent dual supervision from different perspectives, with a steering committee composed of equal numbers of students, with colloquia and other events at both institutions, and with a programme that deals with the most diverse methods and theories in a transdisciplinary way, including ethnographic urban research, prototyping (in this design method, processes or products are continuously improved based on feedback from user groups) and other design methods, as well as artistic re-enactment or embodiment, in which, for example, the setting of a musical phonograph recording from 1903 is re-enacted and thus experienced anew in one’s own body. The following video shows how through the reproduction of a concrete recording situation, insights are gained into practical questions of interpretation.

Graduates later have both paths open to them, the university-academic as well as the artistic-creative, whether within the institutions, in their environment or in the wild. The versatility required for this is reflected in some of the special features of this hybrid education of an artistic-scientific doctorate. On the one hand, there are the people themselves, personalities who do not pursue linear careers but usually already bring with them a broader horizon nourished by life experience. There are other, unfamiliar, as yet untested approaches, methods and discourses, which, especially in design and interpretation research (in which both sound recordings and music editions by important interpreters, letters, notes by students, music criticism and other sources are used), must additionally search for and find their own theory formation, indeed their own language. And it is about new topics and combinations of topics that could not be dealt with at all without practical experience and artistic competence.

Currently, 39 doctoral students from the fields of music, theatre and dance studies, art history and graphic design, archaeology, social anthropology, German and Romance studies are realising their projects within the framework of SINTA. Many are former students or employees of the HKB, others came to Bern from other art colleges or universities – from St. Petersburg to Harvard.

Students from art colleges come with precise questions and topics and want to improve their academic qualifications, while graduates from universities seek practical proximity to the arts. But most of them are double talent. Some bring more artistic and creative experience with them, others more methodical knowledge and writing routine. With an art college master’s, requirements are imposed: Courses in which the specific disciplinary craft and methodological competence are taught must be attended. These requirements make up for any deficits and provide a good introduction to university practice. The SINTA provide fresh impulses for both research and the arts and open new perspectives and fields of research.

The curriculum in this structured doctoral programme includes an interdisciplinary series of workshops on topics, theories and methods in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences. SINTA fosters “innovative dissertation projects at the interface between art and science. The interdisciplinary and practice-based program focuses on research and reflection on artistic performance, design and aesthetic issues.”[1] A module Research in the Arts deals with the history, discourses, theories, concepts, methods, terms, paradigms and positioning of artistic research and sharpens the view of one’s own in an interdisciplinary exchange with examples, readings, a methods festival, and discussion group.

Soft-skill courses are also offered, from proposal writing to presentation techniques, from self-management to academic English. Excursions to the Swiss National Sound Archives, the Paul Sacher Foundation, the Abegg Foundation for Textile Art, the Karlsruhe Centre for Art and Media, the Vitra Campus in Weil with a visit to a Papánek exhibition or to the Paris Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM) round off the programme. 

At the beginning, as mentioned, there were the usual prejudices – from both sides. The scepticism has faded in the meantime. Today, the Bern model is recognised both nationally and internationally, and other schools even want to copy it. The more often the doctoral students were able to present their work and the broader and at the same time more distinguished the selection became, the more clearly the strengths of this successful model became apparent. In particular, the dual supervision by professors from both schools is very much appreciated. Today, applications come from all five continents, and people in Berlin and Zurich look enviously at Bern – or apply themselves. This artistic/design-scientific hybrid model has a promising future and is also appreciated by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The first doctoral projects were completed in 2016; among them a dissertation that requires design knowledge, art-historical approaches and geographical mapping techniques and thus impressively demonstrates how transdisciplinary thinking is at SINTA.

To enable doctoral students to gain even more presentation experience, the SINTA Research Day was established in 2016: Here, doctoral students present their first theses and questions or even partial results of their dissertation for 30 minutes and put them up for discussion in a second half hour, which is of course moderated by fellow students. Later, the doctoral students can expand their contributions into essays, which are also edited by their colleagues, in order to gain experience and practice in academic publishing. These are published in a series Studies in the Arts – New Perspectives on Research about, in and through Art and Design by transcript.

Website of the Doctoral program: www.sinta.unibe.ch

Illustration above the text: Cover image of Studies in the Arts (2022) with Luzia Hürzeler’s How to sleep among wolves I (2014). Picture: Luzia Hürzeler  

How to cite this article

Thomas Gartmann (2022): Studies in the Arts: An Artistic-Scientific Doctorate. w/k–Between Science & Art Journal . https://doi.org/10.55597/e7614

• Artistic Research
• artistic-scientific doctorate
• Studies in the arts
• Thomas Gartmann

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This seems like an interesting interdisciplinary course and I’d love to know more about it. The details mentioned here were quite sufficient in order to get an overall idea. Thanks.

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Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies  

The Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies (AFVS) at Harvard offers a graduate program in Film and Visual Studies leading to a PhD.

The Department also offers a secondary field in Film and Visual Studies for students already admitted to PhD programs in other departments in the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

The study of film at Harvard functions within the multi-disciplinary examination of audio-visual experience. From Hugo Münsterberg's pathbreaking forays into the psychological reception of moving images and Rudolf Arnheim’s seminal investigations of "visual thinking" to Paul Sachs’s incorporation of film into the academic and curatorial focus of the fine arts at Harvard and Stanley Cavell’s philosophical approaches to the medium, Harvard has sustained a distinguished tradition of engaging cinema and the cultural, visual, spatial, and philosophical questions that it raises. With their emphases on experimentation in the contemporary arts and creative collaboration among practitioners and critics, the Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies (AFVS) and the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts provide a singular and unparalleled site for advanced research in Film and Visual Studies. The program aims to foster critical understanding of the interactions between the making of and thinking about film and video, between studio art, performance, and visual culture, and between different arts and pursuits whose objects are audio-visual entities. The Carpenter Center also supports a lively research culture, including the Film and Visual Studies Colloquium and a Film and Visual Studies Workshop for advanced doctoral students, as well as lecture series and exhibitions featuring distinguished artists, filmmakers, and scholars.

Interdisciplinary in its impetus, the program draws on and consolidates course offerings in departments throughout the Faculty of Arts and Sciences which consider film and other arts in all their various countenances and investigate the place of visual arts within a variety of contexts. Graduate students may also take advantage of the significant resources of the Harvard Film Archive (HFA), which houses a vast collection of 16mm and 35mm film prints as well as rare video materials, vintage film posters, photographs, and promotional materials. The HFA furthers the artistic and academic appreciation of moving image media within the Harvard and the New England community, offering a setting where students and faculty can interact with filmmakers and artists. In early 2003, the HFA opened a new Conservation Center that allows the HFA conservator and staff to accession new films as well as to preserve its significant collections of independent, international, and silent films.

Students and faculty in Film and Visual Studies are also eligible to apply to the Harvard Film Study Center for fellowships which are awarded annually in support of original film, video, and photographic projects. Established in 1957, the Film Study Center provides production equipment, post-production facilities, technical support, and funding for nonfiction works that interpret the world through images and sounds. Among the many important films to have been produced at the Film Study Center are John Marshall's The Hunters (1956), Robert Gardner's Forest of Bliss (1985), Irene Lusztig's Reconstruction (2001), Ross McElwee's Bright Leaves (2003), Peter Galison and Robb Moss’s Secrecy (2008), Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor's Sweetgrass (2009), Véréna Paravel and J.P. Sniadecki’s Foreign Parts (2011), Véréna Paravel and Lucien Castaing-Taylor’s Leviathan (2013) and De Humani Corporis Fabrica (2022), Stephanie Spray and Pacho Velez’s Manakamana (2014), Mati Diop’s Atlantiques (2019), Ernst Karel and Veronika

Kusumaryati’s Expedition Content (2020), and Joana Pimenta and Adirley Queirós’ Dry Ground Burning (2022).

Prospective Graduate Students - Film and Visual Studies Graduate Program Admissions Information Sessions: 

1:00 pm on the following dates:

Monday, September 30 th

Monday, October 28 th

Monday, November 25 th

Registration is required – registration link below:  

https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvcOypqjMpHt1EDPhAG6PXHDtx9IIASIYd#/registration

Images:  Instructions for a Light and Sound Machine  (2005), directed by Peter Tscherkassky, from a print in the collection of the Harvard Film Archive.

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Graduate Contacts

Laura Frahm Director of Graduate Studies 

Emily Amendola Graduate Coordinator Film and Visual Studies Program (617) 495-9720 amendola [at] fas.harvard.edu  

FAQs about the Graduate Program

My native language is not english; do i have to take the an english language proficiency exam.

Adequate  command of spoken and written English  is essential to success in graduate study at Harvard. Applicants who are non-native English speakers can demonstrate English proficiency in one of three ways:

• Receiving an undergraduate degree from an academic institution where English is the primary language of instruction.*
• Earning a minimum score of 80 on the Internet based test (iBT) of the ...

When is the application deadline for admission to the Ph.D. program in Film and Visual Studies?

December 15, 2023

Where can I obtain an admissions application?

Applications are found on the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website ( https://gsas.harvard.edu/admissions/apply ). 

History of Art and Archaeology (PhD)

Program description, archaeological excavations.

The Institute of Fine Arts is dedicated to graduate teaching and advanced research in the history of art and archeology and in the conservation and technology of works of art. The Institute strives to give its students not only a sound knowledge in the history of art, but also a foundation in research, connoisseurship, and theory as a basis for independent critical judgment and research. The student following the PhD course of study gains a deeper understanding of a subject area, beyond what is normally acquired at the master’s level and develops a capacity for independent scholarship.

The PhD Program at the Institute of Fine Arts is a course of study designed for the person who wants to investigate the role of the visual arts in culture through detailed, object-based examination as well as historical and theoretical interpretation. The degree program provides a focused and rigorous experience supported by interaction with the leading scholars of the Institute, and access to New York area museums, curators, conservators, archaeological sites and NYU’s global network.

At present the Institute conducts five active excavations in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts and Science: at Abydos, Egypt; at Aphrodisias, Turkey; at Sanam, Sudan; at Selinunte, Sicily; and at Samothrace, Greece. Advanced students are invited to participate in these excavations and may be supported financially by the Institute.

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the  general application requirements , which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores  (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation , and
• A non-refundable  application fee .

See Fine Arts for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements 

Language requirement, qualifying paper, dissertation proposal, dissertation defense, departmental approval.

The program is designed for five to six years of full-time study. A total of 18 courses (72 credits) are required for the PhD degree. A minimum of six of these courses must be in seminars, at least four of which lie outside the student’s major field. Distribution requirements are met by choosing courses in the following fields:

• Pre-modern Asia;
• Pre-modern Africa and the Middle East;
• The Ancient Mediterranean and Middle East, including Egypt;
• Pre-modern Europe and the Americas;
• Post-1750 Global;
• Museum and Curatorial Studies;
• Technical Studies of Works of Art;
• Architectural History.

The technical studies of works of art course is chosen from the courses offered through the Conservation Center.

Course Definitions and Requirements

Proseminar:.

The purpose of the Proseminar is to introduce students in the doctoral program to advanced research methods in the history of art. Because it is a dedicated course for the entering PhD student, it will serve to consolidate the cohort. It is taken during the first semester and is taught by a rotation of the Institute faculty, with a different faculty member chosen each year. Emphasis is placed on the specific practices of art-historical analysis in relation to visual and textual interpretation. The contents of the seminar vary each year according to the research interests of the chosen instructor. The class is structured around specific problems in the history of art rather than broad conceptual paradigms, with an emphasis on historical interpretation.

Colloquium:

A colloquium provides an analysis or overview of the state of the literature on a given art historical topic or problem, with extensive reading, discussion, and presentations. There may be a final paper. 

A seminar is a focused advanced course that explores a topic in depth. Seminars are often based on an exhibition in the New York area. Students are expected to produce a substantive paper that demonstrates original research.

Lecture courses explore topics or historical periods, giving overviews of major issues as well as detailed analysis of specific problems and works of art. Students are responsible for assigned and recommended reading, and may produce short papers and/or take an exam.

Additional Program Requirements

PhD students must demonstrate proficiency in reading two modern research languages other than English that are relevant to their studies. Proficiency is demonstrated by passing an examination administered by the Institute of Fine Arts. International students focusing on a field of study in which their native language is relevant may be granted an exemption from the language requirement pending submission of an exemption form signed by their advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Students may be expected to learn other languages that will equip them for advanced research in their chosen fields. Students whose Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is from a non-English speaking institution may be exempt from one language.

The qualifying paper may be developed from seminar work or might be on a topic devised in consultation with the student’s advisor. Normally, the student will be advised to produce a detailed study on a subject that leads towards the dissertation. It should be no longer than 10,000 words (excluding bibliography and footnotes). Students may submit their M.A. thesis in lieu of the Qualifying Paper.

Following the completion of their coursework, Ph.D. students are examined on a major field consisting of two contiguous areas and on a third minor area, which can be in a related field or provide skills necessary for their dissertation. Students should consult their advisor in selecting the two additional examiners and the fields for examination. It is the responsibility of the advisor to invite examiners and to inform any outside examiners about Institute procedures. Students should work closely with each of their examiners to determine appropriate bibliographies.

The purposes of the major examination are to ensure that students develop a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field of study in both breadth and depth, that they can draw independent conclusions based on the study of objects and on written scholarship, and that they are able to effectively communicate these conclusions to an academic audience. The major examination is separate and distinct from the presentation of the dissertation prospectus. Students should allow at least one semester (15 weeks) of preparation for the oral examination. The committee will submit three essay questions to the Academic Office immediately following the oral examination. Within 30 days of the oral examination, the student must pick up the written component, the "Two Week paper." For the "Two Week Paper," the student chooses one topic out of the three given by the examiners. The paper must be submitted two weeks after picking up the prompts from the Academic Office.

In order for the candidate to continue to the dissertation, the advisor and the two other examiners must pass both the oral and written components of the examination. If the candidate does not pass either part of the exam, the candidate is allowed one more attempt. Failure to pass both parts of the second major examination will result in termination from the program.

The proposal must be presented to a dissertation committee no later than six months after passing the major examinations. Students will discuss potential dissertation topics with their supervisor, who will form a dissertation committee of three faculty members (the supervisor and two others). The proposal will be distributed to the committee members in advance of a proposal presentation.

The proposal presentation provides a forum for the committee and the student to discuss intellectual and methodological aspects of the dissertation and to formulate research plans. Immediately following the presentation, the committee will determine if the proposal has passed or if it is in need of revision. The final, approved proposal will be distributed at the next full faculty meeting for further comment. The written proposal consists of:

 A narrative exposition of the dissertation subject detailing the state of current scholarship as well as the student’s own research aims. The proposal should demonstrate the viability of the project and should clearly set forth the research questions to be addressed with direct reference to sources and contexts. The narrative should not exceed 2500 words (approximately 8-10 pages). Arguments should be properly footnoted;

A chapter outline that is no more than one page;

 A bibliography of principle references, divided as appropriate into separate archival and primary source sections;

Up to five images

The dissertation may contain no more than 250 pages of text. Permission to exceed this limit can be granted only through petition to the faculty by way of the Director of Graduate Studies. Each doctoral candidate submits to a final oral defense of the dissertation before a committee of five scholars.

All Graduate School of Arts & Science doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their department for the degree to be awarded.

Sample Plan of Study

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation ( MAINT-GA 4747 ) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the skills and abilities to:

• Critically investigate the role of the visual arts in culture through object-based examination as well as historical and theoretical interpretation.
• Effectively communicate original, independent research and interpretations of secondary material through written and oral presentation.  
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of critical issues in the field of art history or archaeology through written and oral examinations in a defined field. 
• Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding and interpretation of one topic in art history through substantial original research presented in the form of a dissertation.

NYU Policies

Graduate school of arts and science policies.

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages .

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page . 

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2024-25 General Bulletin

Art History, PhD

Degree:  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Field of Study:  Art History

Program Overview

Our highly selective doctoral program in art history, founded in 1967 and offered in collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA), provides unique training for museum and academic careers. The object-grounded approach to the study of art history, based on the encyclopedic collections of the CMA and other area institutions, affords an exceptional opportunity to fuse the varied practices of the discipline pursued within the museum and the academy. Through study rooted in careful examination of the specific properties and idiosyncrasies of art objects, students can contribute concretely to a broader cultural and theoretical academic discourse. Graduate students are trained in both traditional and newer, theoretically-based art historical approaches in classes taught by faculty renowned for their expertise in a diversity of fields, all of whom maintain an object-oriented approach to teaching and research. Many CMA curators and museum educators hold adjunct faculty positions and teach courses for the program. Classes are frequently held at the CMA, where students have access to the permanent collections and a rotating schedule of exhibitions as well as to the Ingalls Library, the third-largest art research library in the United States.

The innovative CWRU-CMA doctoral program in art history trains flexible and creative professionals who have the tools to achieve excellence in museum and academic careers. The pace of the program is accelerated; full funding for five years of tuition in addition to a generous yearly stipend enables our doctoral students to work full time on their degrees, with the goal of finishing in five to six years. Many aspects of the current curriculum were developed through two generous grants given jointly to CWRU and the CMA in 2013 and 2019 by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as part of a program to further collaborations between art history graduate programs and art museums.

An MA in Art History and reading knowledge of one approved foreign language (such as French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Chinese) are prerequisites. Very rarely, an exceptionally well-prepared applicant may be considered for admission with a BA degree only. Admission preference is given to applicants whose scholarly interests coincide with the interests of a department faculty member, those who wish to focus on distinctive holdings in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, and/or those planning to pursue topics in museum or collecting history or the history of the art market. Admission to the program is made on the basis of academic record and scholarly promise, recommendations, experience, and personal interviews. Applicants must also submit GRE scores and two art history research papers. Students whose MA was awarded more than five years prior to application for admission may be required to pass a qualifying examination and/or foreign language examination administered by the department before being admitted to full standing in the PhD program.

PhD Policies

For PhD policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Unless otherwise approved by the director of graduate studies and the student's advisor. At least one seminar must be collection-based, when offered.

Doctoral students must demonstrate an ability to read two approved languages other than English useful in art historical research. The general examination cannot be taken until the language requirement is fulfilled either through course work or successfully passing language reading examinations. Doctoral students in Asian art should enter the program with a reading knowledge of at least one Asian language (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean). Prior to taking the comprehensive exam, students must demonstrate reading knowledge of two languages relevant to the student’s research interests. The second language is chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. It may be a modern Asian language, a classical Asian language, or a European language.

Doctoral students are required to pass an oral examination of major and minor fields and a written examination in the form of a research paper of 20-30 pages in length. The topic for the research paper will be set by the examination committee after the oral examination is held; the paper will be due two weeks after the student picks up the assigned topic. A final evaluation will be based on the student’s performance in both the written and oral sections of the general examination.

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The undergraduate division of Penn Arts and Sciences, the College is the academic home for more than 6,200 students and provides a liberal arts foundation for all Penn's undergraduates. Spanning more than 50 majors and 2,000+ courses, the College offers a unique take on the classic liberal arts education.

The home of doctoral programs in the arts and sciences, with more than 30 graduate groups that award the Ph.D., as well as a number of programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.).

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Fluharty, who is the Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Professor of Psychology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, has served as Dean since July 2013. He will return to the faculty effective December 31, 2024.

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Learn more about GSAS Registration .

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Visit the Graduation Requirements page for more information.

To assign a grade to replace the TI grade, log in through the University Registrar's office Grade Submission page . Select the term from the drop-down menu, then click on a graduate course. At the top of the roster will be the option to click Forms to access the Grade Change Form. If you will be assigning a Permanent Incomplete grade, you will need to email [email protected] .

Classes do not meet during October recess.

Programs of Study

There are over 70 departments and programs to pursue in the Graduate School that span humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. Explore them all below.

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Application Process

Identify the program and degree you want to pursue..

Learn about the program: its faculty, course offerings, and resources. Read the faculty's research publications to see who you might want to work with at Yale.

Verify the application deadline for your program.

All new students enroll in the fall, and the admissions process begins nearly a year in advance of matriculation.

Determine what standardized tests you need to take. Register early.

Some PhD and Master’s degree programs require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. In addition, applicants whose native language is not English may need to take an English Language test (TOEFL or IELTS).

Finalize your application.

Be sure to complete and submit the application before your program's application deadline.

We Support You

The Graduate School provides a wide array of financial, academic, and student resources to support you throughout your academic journey.

Financial Support

Financial support at the Graduate School includes fellowships, stipends, and scholarships available to cover tuition, living expenses, and research opportunities.

Academic Resources

We offer extensive academic resources, including libraries, research centers, faculty mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance scholarly pursuits.

Student Support

We provide student support through student life activities, health & wellness programming, and professional development in a vibrant, inclusive community of scholars..

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Graduate School of Arts & Science

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Doctor of Philosophy in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication

Program description.

The PhD program in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) is designed for those who wish to engage in deep scholarship or to develop artistic, cultural or commercial applications of digital technology and emerging media. With a diverse group of faculty and a curriculum that integrates scholarly study with creative practice, ATEC cultivates creative scholars, scholarly practitioners and interdisciplinary researchers.

ATEC PhD students have backgrounds in a variety of relevant fields and are grouped into transdisciplinary cohorts for their first year of coursework, where they investigate foundational theories, questions and methods that underlie the study of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication. Additional coursework is used to practice methods and explore individual interests, including up to 15 hours in courses from other schools at UT Dallas.

PhD students are expected to participate in the rich, intellectual life of ATEC, including the Dean’s Colloquium speaker series and a vibrant lab and studio culture.

Located in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building, ATEC is home to a number of research labs and studios embracing the service of creating new knowledge and identifying new horizons of research and creative practice. ATEC research teams and laboratories are engaged in innovative practices in the domains of: cultural sciences, data visualization and representation, modeling and simulation, virtual environments, emerging media and communication, game studies and sound design.

Career Opportunities

While academia represents an important professional avenue for ATEC PhD graduates, industry presents numerous career opportunities in such fields as design, research and development for new media, education, communication and information technologies.

The program leading to the PhD in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication is designed both for students wishing to teach arts-and-technology-related courses in colleges and universities and those who wish to develop new artistic, cultural or commercial applications of digital technology/emerging media. This program emphasizes the fusion of creative with critical thinking and theory with practice. Students seeking a PhD in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication will normally complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours (42 semester credit hours in coursework and 18 semester credit hours in dissertation) beyond a master’s degree, pass doctoral field examinations and complete a dissertation.

For complete admission and degree requirements, view the Graduate Catalog at  catalog.utdallas.edu .

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Requirements

Visit the  Apply Now  webpage to begin the application process.  

Applicants to the Doctoral degree program should have: 

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, with either the BA or MA in a related discipline.
• Normally, a 3.3 GPA from previous coursework.
• 3 letters of recommendation.
• A statement of purpose/essay.
• A 10- to 20-page writing sample.
• Any other evidence of scholarly or creative endeavors you would like to provide.
• Each application is considered holistically on its individual merits.
• The Graduate Record Examination is not required. 

Deadline:  The application deadline is Jan. 15. All applications completed by the deadline will be reviewed for admission. Applications submitted or completed after Jan. 15 may be reviewed for admission only if spaces remain within the upcoming cohort and will be reviewed in order by the date the application file became complete.

Contact Information

Graduate Admissions Phone: 972-883-2756 Request Bass School Graduate Program Information

Graduate Advising Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology The University of Texas at Dallas, JO31 800 W. Campbell Road Richardson, TX 75080-3021 Phone: 972-883-2756 or 972-883-4706 Email:  [email protected]

Bass School Graduate Degrees

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Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences

Graduate education at Penn has a long and distinguished history, beginning with Penn's first Ph.D. program in 1870. The origins of graduate education in the School of Arts and Sciences can be traced to the establishment of the graduate faculty in 1881 and the awarding of the first Ph.D. in 1889.

Today the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences is one of Penn's nine graduate schools. This SAS Graduate Division, along with the  Undergraduate College  and the Division of  Professional and Liberal Education , comprise the  School of Arts and Sciences , the largest of the University's  twelve schools .

The Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences currently includes more than thirty graduate groups and offers the degrees of Master of Arts (A.M.), Master of Science (M.S), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The Office of the Graduate Division, located at 3401 Walnut Street, Suite 322A, is the administrative unit that oversees such matters as admissions, records, funding.

Contact procedures :

• Students should contact the  Office of the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences  directly to submit applications for admission to one of the graduate programs and to make arrangements for the graduation ceremony.
• Graduate groups  are the best initial contact not only for information about program content, but also for assistance with problems related to funding, grades, fulfillment of degree requirements, leaves, and transfers.
• In the event of an academic grievance,  The Academic Grievance policy  describes the procedures in place for currently enrolled students and former students within 1 year after leaving the University.
• Students are directed to the  Office of Student Financial Services  for information on loans and to pay late fees, microfilm and copyright fees for the dissertation.

The School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) offers graduate students the opportunity to study with preeminent scholars in an academic environment that prioritizes individual mentoring and professional development. We are a diverse and inclusive community with world-class libraries, laboratories, museums and archives. SAS faculty members are committed to collaboration and innovation and to training the next generation of scholars and global citizens. Our doctoral programs develop lifelong skills in pedagogy, critical and analytical thinking, in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

The interdisciplinary nature of our programs encourages students to engage in a flexible array of coursework and mentorship within the School of Arts and Sciences as well as with other schools within the university.  Our students enjoy the flexibility of pursing dual and joint degrees in SAS and across schools.

The Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences values excellence through diversity not only in scholarship but also through cultural, social and political experiences at the university. 

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences in partnership with the Biomedical Graduate Studies participates in the Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR–EIP). The Leadership Alliance is an academic consortium of 32 institutions of higher learning, including leading research and teaching college and universities. The mission of the Leadership Alliance is to develop underrepresented students into outstanding leaders and role models in academia, business and the public sector.

This program offers undergraduates interested in pursuing a PhD the opportunity to work for eight to ten weeks under the guidance of a faculty or research mentor at participating Alliance institutions. The SR–EIP is principally designed to encourage students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the social sciences and humanities including students who identify as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (including Alaska Natives) and US Pacific Islanders, to consider research careers in the academic, public, or private sectors.

For more information, visit  https://www.sas.upenn.edu/graduate-division/programs/summer-research-early-identification-program .

The Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences has three different courses available to dissertation students while studying abroad or participating in an internship. These GAS courses allow the student to remain registered during the research and writing stages of the dissertation.  A student conducting dissertation research abroad in a given semester is eligible to register for Dissertation Research Abroad status. Students who must complete an internship as a part of their degree requirement or those awarded the opportunity to conduct research through specific programs to further their research interest may request to register for  GAS 9930  or  GAS 9940 .  

The Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences covers the tuition for students registered for  GAS 9960 ,  GAS 9930  or  GAS 9940  in years 2 through 8 of the Ph.D. program.  Students are responsible for the  reduced general fee  while registered for any of the SAS courses listed below regardless of their year in the program.

• GAS 9960  Dissertation Abroad Status
• GAS 9930  Academic Internship
• GAS 9940  Clinical Psychology

Students may not be enrolled in GAS registration in the term in which they file for a degree (alternate master’s or Ph.D.).  That is, students must be in enrolled in courses or regular dissertation registration in the term in which a degree is earned.  Students in the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences can register for a maximum of 4 semesters of Dissertation Research Abroad ( GAS 9960 ), External Internship ( GAS 9930 ) and Clinical Internship ( GAS 9940 ) over the course of their PhD career in GAS.  Tuition will not be charged, but the General Fee will be billed at the reduced rate.  The General Fee cannot be waived for any reason. Students are responsible for the reduced general fee and health insurance. The health insurance may be waived, but it is the student’s responsibility to initiate the request and follow through with Student Health.

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Arts & Humanities

Wide-ranging expertise, key details.

• Full-time or part-time study

School or Centre

• School of Arts & Humanities

Next open event

• Watch Open Day recording

Application deadline

• Applications closed. Please check back soon.

Career opportunities

• PhD study leads to a range of opportunities. You might become a researcher in industry or government or an academic in an international institution It is an opportunity for you to investigate a research question or issue in depth, enabling you to take a more reflective, more innovative role in design.

A dynamic interplay between theory and practice.

The School provides expert supervision across the spectrum of art and writing practice, art and design history and theory, curating and criticism. We welcome proposals for theoretical and practice-led projects, industrial collaborations and technologically focused research.

Our research interests are wide-ranging and reflect the expertise of our staff, focusing on arts, humanities and material practices, their scholarship and dissemination. The School’s distinctive research culture encompasses a broad range of activities from highly individuated scholarly and creative enquiries to projects that concern public policy and evaluation, collections and archival research, material and technical explorations as well as more speculative arts practice-focused projects. It includes the V&A/RCA PhD in History of Design, a degree offered jointly between the RCA and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Beyond your individual supervision, you’ll be able to participate in research groups, where staff and students cluster around an idea or issue.

Research takes place within an environment that is ambitious to generate new methods and insights. We thrive on interaction across the broad areas of fine and applied arts and the humanities, through School-wide lectures, workshops and tutorials delivered by key contemporary artists, writers, curators and thinkers, many of whom form part of our permanent staff base. The broad base of expertise offered by the School means we can support research interests across a large range of disciplines; moving image and sound, painting, performance, photography, printmaking and sculpture as well as jewellery, metal, ceramics, glass, curating, critical and theoretical writing and design history. The School embraces its cross-disciplinary perspective and celebrates the deployment of diverse and original methods of research and production.

Programme details

• PhD: 3–4 years (full time), 6–7 years (part time)
• MPhil: 2–3 years (full time), 4–6 years (part time)

Applications will open in autumn for September 2025 entry. If you would like to make a late application for 2024/5, some programmes may still have spaces so please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.

Register your interest to be the first to know when applications for 2025 entry open. 

Catch the replays from our latest online Open Day.

Object of Research residency, Techne Conflux, School of Arts and Humanities, 2018

School of Arts and Humanities Research: Aslyum Live, 2017

Clair Le Couteur, Despina Zacharopoulou

The Urgency of the Arts, NAFAE Research Student conference, 2018 hosted by RCA School of Arts and Humanities

School of Arts and Humanities Research Presents......Me with Professor Carol Mavor, 2019

School of Arts and Humanities Research Presents......Reenactment with Ali Smith, 2019

Entanglement Research Group

Object of Research residency,Techne Conflux, School of Arts and Humanities (Grizedale visit), 2018

School of Arts and Humanities Research: Flight Mode (Assembly Point), 2018

School of Arts and Humanities Research: Despina Zacharopoulou, Flight Mode (Asylum), 2018

Dr Josephine Berry

Tutor (Research)

Dr Josephine Berry is an art theorist, writer and editor. She supervises thesis only and practice based PhDs in the School of Arts and Humanities.

Professor Rachel Garfield

Senior Tutor (Research) and School Research Lead

Rachel Garfield is an artist and writer whose work is engaged with the role of lived relations in the formation and intersections of subjectivities.

Professor Johnny Golding

Professor of Philosophy & Fine Art

Johnny’s work situates post-Newtonian analytics, new materialisms and the erotics of sense as ‘radical matter’, a practice-led encounter with contemporary philosophy, art and the wild sciences.

Professor Peter Oakley

Professor in Material Culture

Professor Peter Oakley specialises in research on materials, making and manufacturing.

The School of Arts & Humanities is located across our Battersea and Kensington sites.

Shared workspaces are provided for all research students. There are a number of bookable seminar and project spaces across the site available to all Arts & Humanities students.

Daybreak: Asylum Live, Research Student Project, Adjoa Armah

Darkroom facilities (photo: Richard Haughton)

Gorvy Kiln Room (Photographer: Richard Haughton)

Hot Glass Workshop (Photographer: Richard Haughton)

Screenprint Workshop (Photographer: Richard Haughton)

More details on what you'll study.

Find out what you'll cover in this programme.

What you'll cover

What is a research degree.

At the RCA we offer both MPhil and PhD research degrees. Research candidates can study in part-time and full-time modes (subject to approval) and their research can be undertaken by project or thesis modes. The mode of research will be discussed in interview, and should be indicated in the application process.

A postgraduate research degree challenges you to complete a research project that pushes the boundaries of our understanding.

Unlike a taught degree, a research degree emphasises independence of learning and increased specialisation. You will manage your own research project in order to investigate your topic in depth and to produce new ideas, arguments and solutions.

A research degree will give you the subject matter expertise and transferable skills necessary for a wide range of senior roles in research and academia, as well as in business, industry and the cultural and creative sectors.

A PhD is awarded to students who produce a substantial piece of original research that makes a contribution to research in the field. This can take the form of a thesis (60,000-80,000 words) or by project (a body of work and thesis 25,000-40,000 words). If you’re a PhD candidate you’ll normally registered for three years full-time, with submission within four years, or six to seven years part-time. You must remain registered and pay an appropriate fee until submission.

An MPhil is awarded for original research and submission of a thesis. If you’re an MPhil candidate you’ll normally be registered for two years (full-time) or four years (part-time).

Our postgraduate community

We have more than 250 PhD students pursuing cutting-edge research and undertaking advanced training across the College:

• School of Architecture
• School of Communication
• Computer Science Research Centre
• School of Design
• Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design
• Intelligent Mobility Design Centre
• Material Futures Research Centre

The RCA is a world-leading postgraduate university and is ranked the most research-intensive university of art and design in the UK since 2014. Both our students and staff are drawn from countries across the globe. Overseas students play a vital role in ensuring that our College community benefits from a diversity of experience and skills.

Doctoral training programme

At the RCA, research students undertake training both at a cross-College level and within their Schools/Centres, offering rich and robust preparation and learning opportunities for their research degree progression. Many of these also offer opportunities to build a portfolio of experience for future careers.

All students are required to attend our Doctoral Training Weeks in September, February and July (pro-rata attendance by negotiation for part-time students). These are opportunities to participate in the broader research community at the RCA, but also to undertake timely training to support research progression. These intensive weeks include a range of professional development seminars, training and advice in writing, getting published, achieving impact, entering the academic job market and more, and opportunities for you to develop and present your research to your peers and staff.

Our Research Biennale, held every alternate February, offers a showcase of research to internal and external partners and public. The events include space for testing and experimenting with public facing aspects of research, extending and challenging frameworks and perceptions of what art and design research can be.

We are committed to ensuring that you are well equipped, not only to complete your studies but also to develop your future careers.

Supervisors

All students are allocated supervisors upon registration; your supervisory team will have both subject specialism and experience of supervising to completion. Our of current staff index includes an overview of their research interests, recent research outputs and areas of expertise. These give an idea of the key areas of research that are covered at the RCA.

We are not able to guarantee allocation to a specific supervisor as we need to balance staff capacities and our research strategy. However, if there is a particular supervisor whose research aligns with your research proposal, please join us at one of our Open Days and we can talk with you about the possibilities.

Each student will have six supervisions per year (3 for PT students); these might be with the full supervisory team or with one supervisor. Students are expected to initiate these meetings, set the agenda and provide supervisors with pre-reading or other materials in an agreed timeframe for review.

Annual progress reviews

All research students have Annual Progress Reviews, which they must pass in order to progress into the next year of study. These are vital points where all candidates receive formal feedback not only from their supervisory team, but also from other members of the faculty.

There is a formal Confirmation Exam that takes place midway through the period of study to ascertain your readiness for PhD submission; if you who do not meet the requirements at this stage then you’ll usually be recommended to submit for MPhil examination.

Our research

In addition to supervision from world-leading artists, academics, historians, theorists, curators and critics, the School’s MPhil/PhD community offers a rich and stimulating range of doctoral training, including the College-wide Doctoral Training Programme, the School-based Research Groups (small groups that include seminars, workshops and crit sessions, open to all Arts & Humanities research students) and opportunities for exhibiting and publishing research in student-led group exhibitions and symposia and in Prova (the School’s SoAH annual research journal). New student-led initiatives are encouraged and facilitated by the School. Public engagement is a vital part of our practice and we are keen to support interdisciplinary studies and dynamic and innovative projects that expand the potential for arts and humanities research both within the academic context and the wider cultural community

Beyond their individual supervision, students are able to participate in Research Groups, where staff and students cluster around an idea or issue. You will select a group based on your own research interests and attend weekly sessions led by senior academics and with input from a wide range of research-active staff. These groups are also closely linked to our 'SoAH Research Presents....' series, public events with guest speakers and performers, devised by the Research Groups. Additionally, you can attend twice termly research events examining the platforms for their research and forms of dissemination, as well as having the opportunity to present your research formally within the School. The year includes an exhibition, conference, event or publication. In 2017 this was Daybreak , a project which included Asylum Live and exhibitions at Safehouses 1&2 and Amp. In 2018 we staged Flight Mode and in 2019 we hosted the NAFAE conference, The Urgency of the Arts , as well as staging an exhibition, There’s Something Lurking In The Shadows That May Be Interesting .

Requirements

What you need to know before you apply

The programme welcomes applications from candidates from across the world and of all ages, including those with academic and professional backgrounds.

Applications are considered in terms of quality of proposal, quality of practice (where appropriate), readiness to undertake a research degree at this level and supervisory capacity.

What's needed from you

Portfolio requirements.

Your portfolio showcases your work as an artist or designer and can be made up of images, videos or writing examples. Your portfolio helps us to understand your application better and allows you to show evidence of your ability and motivation to undertake a given programme.

Generally, we’re looking for you to demonstrate your:

• Creativity, imagination and innovation
• Ability to articulate the intentions of the work
• Intellectual engagement in areas relevant to the work
• Technical skills appropriate to the work
• Potential to benefit from the programme

If you are applying for a research degree by project please submit a single PDF portfolio of between 8–16 images/files that relate to your proposed research project.

In addition to image files, please include a piece of writing (between 2000–5000 words) that demonstrates your approach to articulating ideas. This can be a piece of writing that you have completed within the last three years or a new piece of writing.

Video requirements

We ask that you upload a two-minute video recorded on your phone or laptop, speaking to us directly. High production qualities are not needed. We will review the work in your portfolio, so keep your video simple.

We would like you to create a video where you identify one project demonstrating how research was an important aspect to its completion. Explain the impact this has had on others and yourself and how this motivated you on your journey to the RCA.

English-language requirements

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, MPhil candidates will need the equivalent of an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with a 6.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE). PhD candidates will need the equivalent of an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a 7.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE).

If you need a Student Visa to study at the RCA, you will also need to meet the Home Office’s minimum requirements for entry clearance.

Fees & funding

For this programme, fees for new students.

Fees for September 2024 entry on this programme are outlined below. From 2021 onward, EU students are classified as Overseas for tuition fee purposes.

Home: High residency

Home: low residency, overseas and eu: high residency, overseas and eu: low residency.

New entrants to the College will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to secure their place. This will be offset against the tuition fees for the first year of study.

Overseas and EU

Progression discount.

For alumni and students who have completed an MA, MA/MSc or MRes at the RCA within the past 10 years, a progression discount is available for Doctoral study. This discount is £1,000 per year for thee first three years of full-time study.

Continuation fees

Candidates who have completed the minimum three years of study (FT or 6 years PT) for PhD will be eligible to apply for Continuation Status. This is a period of study, for up to one academic year, during which a candidate will be focused upon revising and editing their thesis/project.

Scholarships

Rca scholarships.

The RCA scholarship programme is growing, with hundreds of financial awards planned for the 2025/6 academic year.

For more information and examples of financial awards offered in 2024/25, visit the Scholarships & awards webpage.

You must hold an offer to study on an RCA programme in order to make a scholarship application in Spring 2025. A selection of RCA merit scholarships will also be awarded with programme offers. 

We strongly recommend that you apply for your programme as early as possible to stand the best chance of receiving a scholarship. You do not apply directly for individual awards; instead, you will be invited to apply once you have received an offer.

More information

Mphil/phd fee bands.

The RCA is introducing two separate tuition fee bands for MPhil/PhD students with effect from the academic year 2023/24: Low Residency and High Residency. For more information about what the different fee bands entail, and for frequently asked questions on fee bands, visit:

Additional fees

In addition to your programme fees, please be aware that you may incur other additional costs associated with your study during your time at RCA. Additional costs can include purchases and services (without limitation): costs related to the purchase of books, paints, textiles, wood, metal, plastics and/or other materials in connection with your programme, services related to the use of printing and photocopying, lasercutting, 3D printing and CNC. Costs related to attending compulsory field trips, joining student and sport societies, and your Convocation (graduation) ceremony. 

If you wish to find out more about what type of additional costs you may incur while studying on your programme, please contact the Head of your Programme to discuss or ask at an online or in person  Open Day .   

We provide the RCASHOP online, and at our Kensington and Battersea Campuses – this is open to students and staff of the Royal College of Art only to provide paid for materials to support your studies. 

We also provide support to our students who require financial assistance whilst studying, including a dedicated Materials Fund.

External funding

With the Government's introduction of the new Doctoral Loan and the continued support available via the Arts and Humanities Research Council, there are more financial support options than ever before.

Tuition fees are due on the first day of the academic year and students are sent an invoice prior to beginning their studies. Payments can be made in advance, on registration or in two instalments.

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Change your life and be here in 2024. applications now open..

The Royal College of Art welcomes applicants from all over the world.

Before you begin

Make sure you've read and understood the eligibility requirements and key dates, check you have all the information you need to apply., consider attending an open day, or one of our portfolio or application advice sessions, please note, all applications must be submitted by 12 noon on the given deadline., ask a question.

Get in touch if you’d like to find out more or have any questions.

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Harvard Griffin GSAS is a leading institution of graduate study, dedicated to identifying and attracting the most promising students to form a dynamic and diverse community and training them as intellectual leaders who embody Harvard’s tradition of excellence. We offer PhDs and select master’s degrees in programs that connect students with all parts of the University, additionally providing opportunities for non-degree study through visiting and outreach programs.

We’re proud of our diverse community representing many identities, including but not limited to abilities, belief systems, ethnicities, genders, nationalities, races, socioeconomic statuses, sexes, and sexual orientations. At Harvard Griffin GSAS, we understand that diversity is important to sustaining Harvard’s excellence as an academic institution, and we strive to create an inclusive environment where all students can thrive and grow academically and personally. All members of the community play an integral role in nurturing a welcoming community, and our Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (EDIB) works in partnership with faculty, staff, and students towards this goal.

Our aim is to attract the most qualified candidates and make Harvard financially accessible to all degree students. PhD students receive a financial support package that includes a stipend and tuition grants for at least five years. Whether you are a PhD student or studying for a master’s degree, the dedicated staff of the Office of Financial Aid can help you develop a plan that enables you to secure the resources necessary to pursue your graduate education.

Harvard Griffin GSAS offers a wide array of resources designed to help you thrive academically and personally. The Resources section of the website lists many of the available resources, including the important offices below.

Offering social, intellectual, and recreational activities designed to help students make connections outside of the classroom, lab, or library.

Helping you explore and connect with academic and nonacademic career options.

Guaranteed housing in our residence halls and information on finding the best living situation.

The largest library in the academic world, holding millions of items.

University-wide training resources, equipment, and facilities for students in the sciences. 

Interdisciplinary Societies, Arts and Sciences MPhil/PhD

London, Stratford (UCL East)

The future of research and new careers will require strong forms of interdisciplinarity which intersect ideas from the sciences, social sciences and arts and humanities. Our exciting new PhD programme is a critical part of this vision providing doctoral training to create a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers, thinkers and innovators.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper-second class UK Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject, or a recognised taught Master’s degree. Overseas qualifications of an equivalent standard from a recognised higher education institution are also accepted. If your education has not been conducted in the English you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The future of research and new careers will require strong forms of interdisciplinarity, which intersect ideas from the sciences, social sciences and arts and humanities.

Our PhD programme is a critical part of this vision providing doctoral training to create a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers. We advise you on developing research projects that are cogent, innovative and which integrate combinations of sciences, arts and societies. We provide you with supervision including where necessary seeking out specialist supervisors from across UCL, and we support you in acquiring training that will facilitate your research.

Examples of projects that join societies and arts and sciences include research into health, data science and philosophical ethics in understanding social justice, climate change science and media analysis. However, you can examine any combination of disciplines needed for your interdisciplinary project.

You will be able to be present your work at a departmental seminar for all staff and research students and at an annual away day. This takes place in a friendly and informal atmosphere and is designed to foster research communication skills and interdisciplinary thinking. You will be supported to work with academics in Arts and Sciences through research cafes, peer mentoring and training.

We will support you in developing conference and interdisciplinary networks with colleagues locally and internationally, involving you in the design and administration of these activities in collaboration with our academics and professional services staff. You will be encouraged to take part in conferences and seminars, in London and elsewhere. Where possible, we will also support you to apply for internship opportunities and other research exchange programmes nationally and internationally to develop your research and career opportunities.

Who this course is for

Applicants will have a strong interest and previous training in the disciplines required to begin their project. Applicants will have excellent written and spoken English. Applicants will be highly motivated and able to work independently.

What this course will give you

We are committed to supporting the development of our students. This will involve developing skills on independent and critical thinking, academic writing, research management, publishing in peer reviewed journals, presentation skills and networking.

This interdisciplinary research will provide opportunities for collaborative working within UCL Arts & Sciences (UASc), departments across UCL and externally. Students are encouraged to apply a range of qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods and creative approaches to their interdisciplinary research.

This will facilitate interactions between established and emerging researchers and offer interdisciplinary research training and career development opportunities for early-stage researchers and research students.

We are committed to supporting flexible and part-time working patterns and are happy to discuss these possibilities with prospective applicants.

The foundation of your career

As our MPhil/PhD programme will commence during 2023/24, more information on this will be available soon. However, i t is expected that graduates of this programme will go on to positions in academia as well as careers across a multitude of sectors. Due to the unique interdisciplinary nature of the PhD, and depending on the student’s subject area, this could create new opportunities within the arts, humanities, health and physical and social science industries, thus likely to increase career options for graduates. Throughout the PhD programme, students will be supported to explore their career opportunities and engage with employability activities.

Employability

UCL is a world top ten research university ( QS World University Rankings 2024 ) and our graduates seek careers in research, teaching, consultancy and management, in university settings and beyond. 

For students with academic ambitions, we will help them to apply for postdoctoral research fellowships. Supervisors and training will help identify professionalisation opportunities and pathways to the academic job market. Teaching and conference opportunities will normally be available.

With the advantage of having interdisciplinary training, graduates are likely to have opportunities in government, NGO and corporate settings. An interdisciplinary doctorate provides training in several disciplines and in communicating across disciplines, creating an advantage towards such positions. Support for such careers will be provided during the programme.

UCL Arts & Sciences (UASc) has a strong culture of collaboration between staff and students across multiple departments within UCL through its existing degree programmes. We also work closely with other national and international institutions and organisations. This working environment will create opportunities to engage with existing research training programmes, seminars and other activities. You will be supported to create new networks yourself, through online platforms and social media or in-person research groups, for instance. This is likely to foster a rich culture of innovative research for our doctoral students.

Teaching and learning

Supervision and access to different teaching methods on the UCL Doctoral Students Training Programme during the first year of study.

Both formal and informal assessment will be integral to the programme. Formal assessment includes written work submitted at upgrade to PhD status and a viva. Final award will be based on a doctoral level thesis and a viva. Informal assessment will include different kinds of submissions agreed between the student and their supervisor throughout the research project.

As a full-time student, you are required to spend approximately 40 hours a week studying which will predominantly be made up of self-directed study. Part-time students should expect to spend approximately 20 hour a week studying.

Research areas and structure

Research environment.

Arts and Sciences provides a unique research environment focused on interdisciplinarity and the integration of disciplines across arts and humanities, social sciences and the sciences through projects and connections to research environments in other departments.

You will participate in a doctoral student seminar series entitled Research for Interdisciplinary Studies which will consist of topic-based seminars. At these seminars, doctoral students will be introduced to the formal requirements of doctoral study; to the theoretical and methodological approaches which frame interdisciplinary research and research design, and, where appropriate, to professionalisation into academia. The programme will include work in progress reports from all first-year students as part of their preparation for upgrading from MPhil to PhD status in Year 2. All doctoral students will be strongly encouraged to attend and contribute to these seminars.

Arts and Sciences will also host regular interdisciplinary research seminars involving a range of contributions, from both external and internal speakers and research activities. There will be an annual research away day that postgraduate research candidates will be invited to. This will introduce candidates not only to intellectual discussion but also to the organisational and professional context of UK higher education. Students will be supported to work with academics in Arts and Sciences through research cafes, peer mentoring and training for further support.

Working space for postgraduate research students will be provided through UCL Arts and Sciences, which is split-site located at UCL East in Stratford and at UCL's Bloomsbury campus.

The Department has a range of staff covering various disciplines with strong groups in the major areas of arts and humanities, social sciences, and the sciences. You will also collaborate with academics across UCL through joint supervision, which is very much welcomed. This wide range of staff supporting you will ensure postgraduate research candidates have access not only to their supervisors but an unparalleled range of expertise.

Year 1 full-time:

During your first year, you will work with your supervisors to establish the research project that will form the basis of your PhD thesis. You will be asked to undertake a training programme through our seminar series Research for Interdisciplinary Studies . This will consist of topic-based seminars during Terms 1 and 2 of the first year of study (irrespective of full-time or part-time status). At these seminars, first-year doctoral students will be introduced to the formal requirements of doctoral study and to the theoretical and methodological approaches which frame interdisciplinary research and research design. The programme will include work in progress reports from all first-year students as part of their preparation for upgrading to PhD status in Year 2. These seminars will foster the research culture, discuss the meaning of interdisciplinarity and build research skills. Candidates will have access to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and UCL Doctoral School training.

Year 2 full-time:

If progress during Year 1 has been sufficient, you will be upgraded to PhD status. If you are a full-time student, you should undertake the PhD upgrade after 9-18 months of registration. The exact timing will depend on when you are ready to meet the requirements.

Year 3 full-time:

Completing Research Status (CRS)

The formal minimum length of the MPhil/PhD is three years. If you are not ready to submit your thesis after three years you will be required to apply for Completing Research Status (CRS). If agreed, it enables you to be registered with UCL for a fourth year of study without payment of any fee.

At UCL Arts & Sciences (UASc) you may study part-time over a minimum of 5 years. This option may be most suitable if you require flexible working patterns. You may have to take the Research for Interdisciplinary Studies training programme over your first and second year and will not usually be ready to upgrade to PhD status until your second year. You will conduct your data collection over several years and will plan to write up and submit in your fifth year. If you are not ready to submit then, you may have two years of CRS status if granted.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

Additional costs

There may be additional costs to students depending on research activities and requirements of the research programme. Examples may include field trips, conference attendance, international visits, and external training programmes not available at UCL. However, we will support students to investigate funding opportunities to meet these additional costs wherever possible. These should be discussed at application stage.

Students will also be required to fund their travel between the Bloomsbury and UCL East campuses.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

As part of your application, you are required to provide a 1,000 word project outline, which must include a summary of your research area, an indication of supervisors and what each supervisors' relevant expertise is, your proposed methods and an indicative bibliography.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions get in touch.

Arts and Sciences BASc

[email protected]

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Ph.D. in Culture and Performance

We foreground interdisciplinary research that builds on and contributes to theories of corporeality, performance, visuality, and culture.

While pursuing a Ph.D. in Culture and Performance, the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance offers opportunities to develop specialized knowledge and skills in a diverse range of interdisciplinary fields such as activism, critical theory, curatorial studies, dance studies, film studies, performance studies, and visual studies. Students will designate a major field of study in consultation with their faculty adviser. Examples of methodologies include archival research, choreographic analysis, discourse analysis, ethnography, museum studies, oral history, or phenomenology. Students should also identify an area of geographical, cultural, and/or temporal focus. The student is expected to consult with their academic faculty adviser on a regular basis regarding area(s) of interest to determine associated coursework and research focus, and to plan the instructional schedule appropriately. See the full Culture and Performance program details on the Graduate Division's website.

Students in our program have received prestigious awards including those, among others, from the ACLS-Mellon, American Association of University Women, Fulbright, Ford, and Wenner-Gren foundations, along with winning prizes for their innovative research from professional organizations. At UCLA they have been selected for competitive honors, such as the Collegium of University Teaching Fellows, Distinguished Teaching Assistant Award, Moss Scholars Program, and the Dissertation Year Fellowship. These achievements serve as a testament to the students' research and teaching excellence. They also demonstrate the strong mentoring available in our department.  

Our interdisciplinary doctoral program has an impressive record of job placements and speaks to the high quality of education we are able to offer our students. Alumni have found success in a range of diverse sectors -- artistic, academic, curatorial -- and made notable impacts in myriad fields. Our accomplished students have been recipients of  postdoctoral fellowships from Northwestern University, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Williams College, the Smithsonian Institution, and University of California Office of the President, among others.  Graduates of the Culture and Performance PhD are working as faculty at reputable institutions in the United States and internationally, like Duke University, Center for Contemporary Dance in Cologne, Rutgers University, University of Michigan, and University of Texas, and many others. We celebrate their success and and hope that their relationship with our Department will have positive effects on our professional development and the networks available to our students into the well future. 

Culture & Performance Handbook 2023-2024 (466.92 kB)

Details about individual courses can be found on the UCLA Registrar's website .

M.A. in Culture and Performance

The M.A. in Culture and Performance is not a terminal degree and is only available to students admitted to the Ph.D. program who have not already earned a master's degree prior to admission at UCLA.

FOR CURRENT Ph.D. STUDENTS:

Handbook: Please refer to the Handbook for your Admit year for your curriculum.

Read about our admissions policies and procedures.