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level: PG top_up: false international: true clearing: false full_time: false part_time: false start_month: October, March location: Waterside

Fine Art MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works

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Key Facts

  • Level

    PostgraduatePG PhD

  • Duration

    MPhil: Full Time 12 months - 3 years or Part Time 30 months - 5 years
    PhD: Full Time 2 years - 4 years or Part Time 3 years - 6 years
    PhD by Published Works: Part Time 1 year - 2 years

  • Starting

    October, March

Updated 20/12/2024

Apply Now Open Days

Updated 20/12/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview

The University of Northampton offers a choice of study within this Fine Art MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published Works, which includes Practiced Based in the Arts. The MPhil/PhD Fine Art is a research project, which may involve your already-established practice or may require the development of new modes of practice specific to the project. The programme offers an excellent route to expand your knowledge and research skills. We offer a supportive, stimulating, and creative environment in which to develop your doctoral research. We welcome applications from graduates in Fine Art or a similar discipline, with a wide range of backgrounds, here in the UK and internationally.

Find out more about the Research Centre for Art and Design.

Apply Now

To apply for the MPhil or PhD programme, please click on the Apply Now button above; to apply for PhD by Published Works Programme, please see links below.

Apply for PhD by Published Works

March 2025

October 2025

The closing dates for applications for the October intake is 1 August and for the March intake is 11 December.

Highlights

  • The range of expertise offered by this programme is unique to the University of Northampton and we have research expertise covering many aspects pertaining to contemporary Fine Art practice including:
    • Painting
    • Drawing
    • Social and participatory art practices
    • Photographic and moving image practices
    • Artist’s Book and Photobook practices
  • Advance to the highest quality of research in Fine Art that demonstrates ambition, breadth of vision and creativity
  • Enable you to further your aspirations as a practicing artist
  • Encourage your practice, art and writing, to make an original contribution to knowledge, and to further understanding through the processes of research
  • Access to a diversity of research outputs including the visual and verbal (exhibitions, events, performances, collaborations, publications, conferences)
  • Affirm the importance of Fine Art research whilst also exploring the possibilities of inter-disciplinary research with other departments and faculties at UON
  • Opportunity to contribute to the research culture of the Research Centre for Art and Design and the wider UON community and to exchange ways of working, thinking, doing and being
  • Encouraged sharing of research with national and international research institutions and the wider publics
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Entry Requirements

We expect all applicants to have a good first degree at 2.1 or 1:1 Honours degree from a UK university (or equivalent), and usually to have a Masters degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent research experience).

  • We accept a wide range of international qualifications and require applicants to be suitably proficient in spoken and written English.

    You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level. These applications are considered on an individual basis.

    All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

    All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:

    • successful interview by the University
    • suitable Research Supervision Support

    For Additional information on how to apply to study with us, how to find a potential Supervisor and what documents are required as part of the application process, please see our How to Apply page.

    More detailed information about research degrees is available on our Postgraduate Research information page.

  • All students whose first language is not English must reach a satisfactory level of proficiency in English language before starting their studies at the University of Northampton.

    You will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme. Applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will not be considered.

    Various English language qualifications are acceptable.

Course Content

  • The Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology at the University of Northampton is committed to supporting and developing art research of the highest quality in the areas of Fine Art, Painting, Drawing and art practices across disciplines.

    We welcome proposals for research in any area of fine art.  We give priority to those with proposals for research within the areas of interest of our staff.

    This Fine Art PhD programme is a way for you to develop your specialism and improve your technical skills.

    While developing and setting up research projects, you will initially receive general, discipline based and project specific training so that you can go on to conduct your research work effectively and independently. When you finish this course, you will be able to find research and development roles within the industry or progress into an academic career or enter business at a managerial level.

    Every research student has a supervisory team, and you will be supervised throughout your project by artists and theorists who are specialists in their areas of research, who are experienced at supervising PhD level projects and who will advise you on what additional activities you need to complete to achieve your goals. The exact structure of your supervision will be determined by the nature of your project and through discussion with your supervisory team; however, it is expected that you will maintain regular contact with your supervisors throughout the research project.

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • You will need to submit the following documents with your application:

    • a 1000 word research proposal – please view the guidance notes on how to write a proposal for a research degree
    • two references
    • photocopies or scans of your undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
    • photocopies or scans of your Masters certificate and transcript
    • evidence of English language ability (where English is not the first language)
    • change of name document if your application and certificates are in different names
    • Passport, if you are applying for off-site study

  • You will need to submit the following documents with your application:

    • a document of 750 – 1000 words demonstrating a case for the published works as a coherent programme of research, making an original contribution to the present state of knowledge
    • two references
    • photocopies or scans of your undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
    • photocopies or scans of your Masters certificate and transcript
    • evidence of English language ability (where English is not the first language)
    • a statement of the review processes of journals (or equivalent) in which the work has been published
    • a copy of the first page of each of the works
    • statements from co-authors on the extent of your contribution to the research where appropriate
    • change of name document if your application and certificates are in different names
    • Passport, if you are applying for off-site study

  • What is the difference between a full PhD and a PhD by Published works?

    A PhD involves conducting original research and writing a thesis, while a PhD by Published Works is awarded based on a collection of previously published papers demonstrating significant contributions to the field. Additional information about choosing your type of research degree can be found on our How to apply for Research degree study page.

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees

  • UK – Full Time: £5,700
  • UK – Part Time: £2,845
  • International – Full Time: £16,350
  • International – Part Time: £7,640

Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works

Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.

  • UK – Part Time: £3,600
  • International – Part Time: £7,840

  • For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding and Scholarships pages.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees

    Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

    • UK – Full Time: £5,500
    • UK – Part Time: £2,775
    • International – Full Time: £15,950
    • International – Part Time: £7,450
    Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by Means of Published Works
    • UK – Part Time: £3,500
    • International – Part Time: £7,650

Staff

Paul Jackson, Professor in the History of Radicalism & Extremism

Professor in the History of Radicalism & Extremism
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Paul Jackson
Andrew Hewitt, Professor of Art and the Public Sphere

Professor of Art and the Public Sphere
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Andrew Hewitt
Michael Evans, Senior Lecturer - Painting

Senior Lecturer - Painting
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Michael Evans

Careers and Employability

Successful defence of the final thesis will provide the researcher with the highest qualification that any UK university can award and offer an excellent opportunity to move into higher management positions within the industry. Our students have progressed to a wide range of areas. Many have continued to develop their practice as an artist whilst some have moved into academic research related to their topic. Others have gone on to take up roles in cultural organisations, teaching and the creative industries.

Is this course for you?

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