Fine Art MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works

Course Content

• Course Details

  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.

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• MPhil and PhD Application Documents

  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

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• PhD by Published Works Application Documents

  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

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• FAQs

  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.

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