Postgraduate course
Practice-led Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Combine your research with your creative practice. Immerse yourself in your chosen specialism and produce research of the highest academic quality.
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Pursue your intellectual interests and develop your creative practice by planning, designing, and conducting academic research that is led by your practice. An expert supervisory team will support you to develop your research and write your thesis. If you have an idea for a creative output that will lead to insight in current research, this is the course for you. Our practice-led PhDs are available on selected subjects in the School of the Arts.
York campus
- Duration – 3 years full time, 6 years part time
- Start date – February 2024, June 2024, October 2023
Minimum entry requirements
2:1 degree in a related subject
Master's qualification
Tuition fees
UK 2023-24 £4,400 per year full time
International 2023-24 £12,750 per year full time
Course overview
Your Practice-led PhD will be challenging, rewarding and will result in the highest educational qualification. Your research will be an original contribution to knowledge and your practice will help you understand the cultural framework that it contributes to.
You will collaborate with a supervisory team that has been carefully selected for you and be part of an exceptional research community of postgraduate researchers.
When you choose to study with us, you will get plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional personal skills. These could include:
- Gaining teaching experience
- Presenting your research at conferences and events
- Engaging with further training
- Working with the community
Professional Development and training
During your PhD, you will discuss additional training with your supervisory team. Your supervisors will help you identify your strengths and highlight areas for development. The university delivers a blended training programme that will help you to develop your research and professional skills, enhance your CV and your employability.
Course structure
How you will study
Your Practice-led PhD will consist of 3 stages where you will:
- Produce a literature review of current research in your field
- Pose a set of novel questions that advance knowledge in your area
- Produce a creative output
- Produce and submit your thesis
- Attend a viva voce (oral examination)
Stages
In the initial stage of your Practice-led PhD you will focus on establishing a working relationship with your supervisory team. You will discuss your research proposal and create a suitable plan for your course. You will undertake an in-depth literature review to critique, analyse, and evaluate existing research. This will ensure the originality of your project. During this time, you will undergo a formal review with your supervisory team and a transfer assessment. The transfer will be in front of an academic panel who will independently assess the potential of your research project to lead to the award of a PhD.
During the second stage, you will be expected to create your practical piece. You will then plan how you will organise your thesis into coherent chapters for your thesis. You can present your research at conferences during this time and submit your work for publication. You will have a formal annual review to ensure your project is progressing.
Your final stage is where you will focus primarily on writing your thesis. You will have a final formal review alongside your regular supervisor meetings. At the end of your final phase, you will submit your thesis and undertake your viva voce. During this oral examination you will discuss and critically defend your thesis. An independent chair and examiners will be present to assess your thesis.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
2:1 degree in a related subject
Master's qualification
International Students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 7.0 (with no skill below 6.0) or equivalent.
Fees and funding
UK 2023 to 2024
The tuition fee for 2023 entry to this PhD course is £4,400 for full time UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
For UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man candidates studying part time, the tuition fee for 2022 entry to this PhD course is £2,200 per year.
Doctoral loans are available to help you pay for your course. Find out more about UK Government Doctoral loans.
International 2023 to 2024
The tuition fee for 2023 entry to this PhD course is £12,750 per annum for full time international candidates.
For international candidates on a part time course the annual cost is £6,375.
More information about funding your PhD is available on our International Fees and Funding page.
Tuition fees
UK 2023-24 £4,400 per year full time
International 2023-24 £12,750 per year full time
Additional costs
Depending upon the nature of your research project, a bench fee might be applied as a separate cost to your tuition fee. Bench fees are normally incurred for laboratory consumables and other significant project costs and any goods will remain under the property of the University.
If you have any queries regarding bench fees, please speak to your potential supervisor during the application process.
Any bench fees will be included in your offer letter and if you accept, the charge will be in addition to your tuition fees.
Contact us to discuss your research proposal
If you know what subject you want to research or you just want to find out more, contacting a School Postgraduate Research Leads is a great first step.
Our School Postgraduate Research Leads are the right people to talk to if you want to study a research degree. They can help you turn your interest and curiosity into a research proposal. They can also put you in contact with an academic who is researching a similar subject, and who could be your research supervisor during your course.
School Postgraduate Research Lead: Claire Hind - c.hind@yorksj.ac.uk
Contact Claire if you are interested in subjects relating to:
- Drama and theatre
- Music performance and production
- Fine art, illustration and photography
- Media production
- Design
- Visual communication