Art and Design MPhil and PhD

We welcome applications to undertake research towards MPhil and PhD degrees in Art and Design.

We offer students either an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) in Art and Design or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Art and Design

More information about MPhil and PhD degrees can be found here.

Overview

Key insights into a research degree in Art and Design

Supervision by experienced researchers and practitioners in Art and Design.
Opportunities to engage with practice-based and theoretical research.
Access to specialist facilities including studios, workshops, and digital labs.
Benefit from the International Centre for the Picture Book in Society and the Journal of Illustration.
Flexible study options: full-time or part-time (up to six years).
Tailored supervision and support through the Researcher Development Programme (RDP)

The Art and Design MPhil and PhD programmes at the University of Worcester supports a wide range of research approaches, including both practice-led and theoretical investigations. The programmes encourage interdisciplinary work and fosters a research culture that is socially and culturally engaged.

Entry requirements

Entry qualifications

For MPhil

First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree or an approved equivalent award

or

Research or professional experience which has resulted in appropriate evidence of achievement

For PhD

Postgraduate Masters Degree in a discipline which is appropriate to the proposed programme of study

or

First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree or equivalent award in an appropriate discipline

or

Research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of achievement

International applicants

International applicants will be required to demonstrate that they have the appropriate level of written and spoken English.

For MPhil/PhD this is an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in every component.

Programme structure

After receiving your application, we will establish if we have the expertise to supervise your project. This will normally consist of a Director of Studies (DoS), who will be your lead supervisor, and at least one other supervisor, who will offer you additional support and guidance throughout your studies. If you are offered a place as a student, your programme of study will look like the outline below.

At the start of your MPhil or PhD

At the start of your MPhil or PhD, you will complete a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Research Methods, a mandatory taught part of MPhil and PhD programmes at Worcester. Full-time students complete the PG Cert in 9 months and part-time students in 12-15 months depending on your month of registration (September or January).

The PG Cert is designed to set you up for your research degree, and focuses on establishing your development needs, developing your research proposal, and preparing you for the planning and delivery of your programme of research. You will be taught through a combination of in-person seminars and online delivery. You can also engage with our online researcher development programme workshops.

You will engage with three modules as part of your PGCert:

RSDP4001: Developing as a Researcher
RSDP4004: Planning Your Research Project
RSDP4005: Approaches to Research

Throughout these early stages of your research degree, you will work with your supervisory team to regularly discuss your progress. At the end of each year, you will reflect on and formally review your progress with your supervisory team and Doctoral Programme Leader. We call this annual meeting an Annual Progress Review (APR).

If you are enrolled on an MPhil programme, the remainder of your programme of study will follow a similar pattern as our PhD programme structure outlined below but in a shorter timeframe. Data collection will typically begin in your first year (full-time) and years 2-3 (part-time). Writing of thesis chapters, dissemination and your viva will typically occur in year 2 (full-time) and years 3-4 (part-time).

During your MPhil or PhD

In your second year (full-time) or years 3-4 (part-time), you will be collecting data and working on your research project with the support of your supervisory team through regular meetings.

You may at this point have research papers ready to publish and attend conferences to present your research to other experts in your field. You will be able to apply to our Research Student Conference Support Scheme for some funding for this purpose.

You can also present your work as part of the annual Postgraduate Research Student Conference and our Images of Research event; seminars based within your academic school and our Postgraduate Network Present and Share series in addition to a range of online workshops as part of our researcher development programme.

At the end of the year of your registration, you will go through an Annual Progress Review.

Final stage of your MPhil or PhD

Throughout the final stages of your degree, you will be working with your supervisory team to discuss your progress through supervisory meetings. In year 3 of your PhD (full-time) or year 5 (part-time), you will be writing up your thesis and preparing for your viva voce (viva) examination.

Your viva will take place after you have submitted your final thesis. After the viva, the examiners may ask that some amendments be made to your thesis before the final award is confirmed, and you will have additional time to do this.

It is possible to complete a full-time PhD in three years, but many students do take four years to complete. Simialrly, it is possible to complete a part-time degree in 4 years, but it is likely that it will take you five years to complete.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and how these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest MPhil programme specification or PhD programme specification document.

Part time students follow the same structure as full-time students but normally complete the PhD over a period of five to six years. Part-time students take two modules in each of their first two years, and will normally transfer to PhD in their fourth year.

Research areas

Research expertise

The Illustration team has wide-ranging expertise in illustration and popular image culture, including book illustration, street literature, narrative illustration, and the cultural history of illustration. Staff also have strengths in Performance, Sound Art, and Installation.

Areas of research focus:

Illustration and visual storytelling
Performance and installation art
Sound art and experimental media
Cultural history of illustration
Interdisciplinary art and design practices
Digital and creative technologies
Interfaces between spoken and artistic representations of folk cultures, their association with place, identities, mental health and wellness

Research supervisors

Dr John Cussans
Expertise: arts pedagogy, art theory, contemporary art, creative health, cultural history, diagrams, esotericism, expanded arts practice, spirituality, wellbeing, zombies.

Dr Ildiko Rippel

Research groups

Postgraduate Research Students are encouraged to join Research Groups at the University, and those with significant focus on medical humanities with an historical perspective include:

Careers

Career benefits of pursuing a PhD or MPhil in Art and Design at the University of Worcester:

Creative and academic leadership:
Develop advanced expertise in illustration, performance, sound art, and interdisciplinary practices, preparing you for leadership roles in academia, cultural institutions, and the creative industries.
Professional recognition and influence:
Engage with internationally recognised platforms such as the International Centre for the Picture Book in Society and the Journal of Illustration, enhancing your visibility and impact in the field.
Practice-led and theoretical research excellence:
Build a portfolio that integrates creative practice with critical inquiry, equipping you for roles in research, teaching, and curatorial work.
Access to specialist facilities and networks:
Benefit from dedicated studios, workshops, and digital labs, and collaborate with experienced researchers and practitioners in a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment.
Flexible study pathways for career integration:
Choose full-time or part-time study options that support your professional commitments while advancing your research and career goals.
Culturally engaged research opportunities:
Explore themes such as identity, mental health, and folk cultures, positioning yourself to contribute to socially relevant and impactful creative work.

Fees and funding

Fees	The current fees can be found within the tuition fees document on our figure out finances page.
Accommodation	Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study. We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £136 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £236 per week (2026/27 prices). For full details visit our accommodation page.
Postgraduate and doctoral loans	The Government will provide a loan of up to £12,858 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2025 per eligible student for postgraduate Masters study. It will be at your own discretion whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs. For more details visit our postgraduate loans page. If you are pursing a PhD, you may be eligible for a doctoral loan of up to £30,301 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2025. For more information visit our doctoral loans page. To help with the financial responsibility of students, we offer a range of scholarships and alumni discounts. Find out more about these on our scholarships page.

Fees

The current fees can be found within the tuition fees document on our figure out finances page.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £136 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £236 per week (2026/27 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

Postgraduate and doctoral loans

The Government will provide a loan of up to £12,858 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2025 per eligible student for postgraduate Masters study. It will be at your own discretion whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs. For more details visit our postgraduate loans page.

If you are pursing a PhD, you may be eligible for a doctoral loan of up to £30,301 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2025. For more information visit our doctoral loans page.

To help with the financial responsibility of students, we offer a range of scholarships and alumni discounts. Find out more about these on our scholarships page.

How to apply

Additional information

Please see guidance on Applying for an MPhil or Applying for a PhD to include application and interview deadlines.

If your research involves working with vulnerable adults and/or children then you may be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS check. There will be a small charge for this. For more information please contact research@worc.ac.uk.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustment. If you require an alternative format for making your application due to a disability, please contact us to discuss your needs on 01905 542182 or research@worc.ac.uk.

Making an application

Please make your application via our online application form. If you have any questions, please contact the Doctoral School on 01905 542182 or research@worc.ac.uk

PhD - September - Full time PhD - September - Part time PhD - January - Full time PhD - January - Part time