Research degrees at UCA

A PhD is an advanced postgraduate qualification where you plan and complete your own focused investigation into a subject you have chosen, and produce a piece of original research that contributes new knowledge to the academic community.

At the UCA Doctoral College, students are undertaking PhD's in a variety of creative subjects, from exploring cultural hybridity in Nigerian film, to interpreting the behaviour of ants through fine art. 

Before making the decision to do a PhD, it is important to understand the nature of this programme and how this differs from Masters’-level study.

Find out more on findaphd.com

As a research student at UCA, you’ll have the option to choose a traditional or practice-based route for your studies. Whichever you choose, you’ll develop an original written thesis, and practice-based candidates will need to produce accompanying creative work. 

You can choose to study either full-time or part-time.

Throughout your studies, you will be supervised by UCA's creative research staff who have experience in the general area of your research. Your supervisors will not ‘teach’ you, but will act in a mentoring role, providing feedback and encouragement and helping you to develop the elements required for a PhD qualification.

Many students go on to collaborate with their supervisors, and the wider UCA research community, both during and after their studies.

View our Research Staff Profiles

As we are a creative university with a wide range of specialisms, there are plenty of avenues your PhD study could take. Your study could focus on any one of the following spheres of interest:

• Animation
• Architecture
• Business for the Creative Industries
• Computer Arts and Visual Effects
• Crafts
• Fashion
• Film, Television and Media
• Fine Art and Digital Art
• Games and Creative Technology
• Graphic Design and Illustration
• Interior, Product and Spatial Design
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Photography
• Visual Communications

Academic requirements
A recognised Master’s degree (or equivalent) relevant to the proposed programme of study.

OR

A first- or second-class honours degree (or recognised equivalent) with appropriate research or professional experience.

English Language requirements for international candidates
IELTS 7.0 overall, with 7.0 for writing and other elements not less than 6.5 (or equivalent qualification).

The studentship package includes a fee waiver for three years’ full-time study, and a stipend of £17,688 each year for three years (or equivalent for part-time study for Home students). The studentships recognise excellence in research and are highly competitive and limited in number. Applicants whose application passes an initial review will be invited to interview. Applicants who are successful at interview and offered a place will be put forward for consideration for the Vice-Chancellor’s Studentship awards. Studentship decisions are based on the relevance of the research proposal, and performance at interview. Those applying for a studentship or other funding must apply by 17 April 2023. Decisions on studentship awards will be announced by 30 July 2023.

When submitting your proposal as part of your application for one or more of the Vice-Chancellor’s Studentships, please indicate at the top of your proposal text for which Studentship the proposal should be considered.

About the centre

Founded in 1998, the Animation Research Centre at the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham is a centre for innovation, doctoral study, debate and dialogue, interdisciplinary and practice-based research into animation in all its most expanded forms. ARC aims to initiate, enhance, and promote creative innovation through scholarly, practice-based and technological investigation at the cutting edge of animation in all of its most expanded forms. Our current activities range from archival research, conference organization, exhibition curation and academic publication to investigations in hand-made aesthetics, immersive technology, block chain, machine learning and movement capture. We actively lead and participate in debate and dialogue with international research networks and the animation of other disciplines through cross-cultural, inter- and multi-disciplinary collaborations.

ARC benefits from UCA's archives of post-1960s animation. Oscar winning animator, Bob Godfrey, established the Animation course at UCA in 1969, which was the first Higher Education animation course in the UK and his archive is held at UCA. Although popularly known for his children’s TV series, such as Roobarb and Custard and The Do-It-Yourself Animation Show, Godfrey also created a number of more experimental and adult works that drew upon traditions of British satire, DADA and Situationism. This is complimented by the Dick Arnall collection spanning a range of independent productions for Channel 4 in the 1980s and 1990s that reimagined animation as an artform. We have the ambition to acquire additional collections with a focus on our alumni and former staff that would create a history of independent animation in the UK from the late 60s up to the present day.

‘Diversifying Animation’ PhD Project Area

We invite practice-based or thesis-only projects that respond to the notion of diversifying/decolonising animation. Research questions asked could include, but are not limited to:

• What happens if we rethink animation as a visioning and performance ritual with the ability for transportation into a poetic reality?
• What are the implications of animation’s capacity for world building? Could animation be used to represent non-Western knowledge traditions?
• As an artform in which space and time cease to function normally, can animation be used to excavate the forms of humanness disavowed by the exclusionary categories of ‘Humanist Man’?
• How can animation and animation studies have a dialogue with the work of post-, anti- and de-colonial theory?
• What epistemological strategies can be used in animation to interrogate complex histories of injustice and contested land rights?
• What colonial legacies do the tools and technologies of animation structure into our usage of them and how can these be resisted?

‘Jo Spence and Rosy Martin: Pioneering Phototherapy’ PhD Project Area

A PhD archival research project-based using material in the Hyman Collection, the Jo Spence Memorial Library Archive, and elsewhere, to look at the development of phototherapy through the collaborative practice of Jo Spence and Rosy Martin. Starting in the 1970s and with a focus in the 1980s, it will situate this practice in terms of therapeutic strategies as well photographic practice, to address both the evolution of alternative therapies and the importance of self-portraiture to feministic discourse. It would also address the extensive writing on the subject by Spence and Martin. The thesis would look at issues around collaboration and the ways in which the art world struggles to appreciate multi-authored work. It would seek to contextualize this type of work with reference to collaborative projects and collectives in the 1970s and 1980s, including Exit, Half Moon, and the Photographer’s Workshop. Much writing on Spence has medicalized her work, focusing on her cancer diagnoses and searches for alternative treatments (see especially Susan E Bell), but this doctorate would refocus attention on the more psychological and performative aspects of her practice, following the studies of Paula Farrance and others, and would address strategies that used humour and the absurd to address trauma.

‘Race, Gender and Sexuality in British Photography, 1980s-2000s’ PhD Project Area

A PhD archival research-based project asking: how have different generations of British photographers worked towards changing the representation of race, gender and sexuality in photography? Starting in the early 1980s going through to the early 2000s what has happened? How has the work been supported? What aspects of these photographers’ work needs re investigation, re-evaluation, and re-thinking? And why now? The investigation will take into consideration the relationship of the work to society, and to academia making it a socio political enquiry as well as a research project looking at the British photography scene.

Photographers of particular interest will be: Emily Anderson; Roshini Kempadoo; Tessa Boffin; Joy Gregroy and Eileen Perrier. all of whom have rarely, if ever, been studied as part of any research project; neither have their archives been widely seen or researched. They have had limited exposure in the UK mostly through small exhibitions and publications with occasional inclusion in museum shows.

The theoretical backdrop to this proposed research will include difference theory (e.g., the writings of Anne Williams and Victor Burgin), theories of sexuality and gender including Foucault and Butler, as well theories of race representation originating in Said, Hall and Gilroy, and later Sarah Ahmed. The researcher will also need to be fully aware of Baba and Spivak as key references. Research questions may include:

• How can we redress the historical canon of British photography history and reconsider these photographers work?
• Why are the histories of these photographers and their works significant?
• How can the work of these photographers contribute to new dialogue in photography theory and history?
• How best may we reveal histories of these photographers, who only have had partial recognition?

About the centre

Creative Technologies Research Centre (CTRC@UCA): The aim of CTRC@UCA is to develop cutting-edge creative training and research programmes, ensure CTRC@UCA is a leader in producing the creative workforce that is the most skilled in the world in the creation, processing, distribution, and the consumption (use) of games, virtual, augmented, and real-time production technology for immersive applications. The research centre working closely with the UCA Doctoral College acts as a homing beacon for individual and group research projects undertaken by our research scholars, but also for external multi-organisational research projects, platforms, and events.

‘Novel Toolkit for the Metaverse’ PhD Project Area

To deploy a Metaverse, we need a novel toolkit that can be easily adapted by organisations that are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This toolkit should seamlessly integrate the three key elements of creative computing technologies to build the Metaverse: the front-end interaction layer (including novel gesture, gloves based or mobile devices), a middle layer (including novel processing, database, intelligence, distribution, and payments) and the visual layer (through novel displays in VR headsets, mobile devices, large screens or holograms). The scholar will address the following research questions (RQs) and provide novel recommendations.

Key potential research questions:

• To what extent does an emerging metaverse toolkit comply with emerging legal requirements (including data privacy, protection, media content rights), have full ethical compliance and be inclusive for children, elderly and vulnerable end users?
• How can we deliver a practical metaverse toolkit that will follow the full end-to-end research cycle of research, design, development, deployment, validation and evaluation of its impact?
• The metaverse toolkit research deliverable will be validated with the target end users in creative application domains throughout the PhD project.

Novel Realtime Rendering for Immersive Virtual Environments’ PhD Project Area

There is an increasing demand in the Creative Industries for cutting-edge content, interactive experiences, and immersive virtual worlds. This research will push the frontiers in integrating new techniques for emerging immersive applications. The scholar will address the following research questions (RQs) and provide novel recommendations.

Key potential research questions:

• How can the emerging intelligent techniques help the content creator to build and deploy virtual environments?
• How can users gain new immersive experiences in virtual worlds?
• How can the new techniques help in scaling the use of immersive technologies for wider adoption in different applications?

The novel immersive environments as a research deliverable will be validated with the target end users in creative application domains throughout the PhD project.

About the centre

The Centre for Sustainable Design (CfSD) has built world class knowledge and expertise of sustainable innovation and product sustainability. The Centre researches, develops and disseminates understanding of present and future sustainability impacts and solutions related to innovation, products, technologies, services and systems through projects, training, events, networks and information. CfSD works with partners in Europe, North America, and Asia to deliver high quality results. The Centre is an internationally recognised centre of excellence.

‘Repair Cafes’ as a way to build translocal networks and communities’ PhD Project Area

There are now over 2500 repair cafes worldwide. Very little research has been completed into repair cafes worldwide: CfSD led the 1st two global surveys and partnered in the 3rd – which has resulted book chapters, articles and a recently published journal paper that explored the links to translocal networks and communities. Repair cafes are citizen led activities and research related to the journal article also highlighted very little research related to role OF citizen and civil society in the Circular Economy. In addition, a unique repair-carbon calculator has been developed through UCA/FRC collaboration that has been open sourced to all repair cafes. At present, further collaboration UCA/FRC is being undertaken to produce a tool to extract the details of 1750+ repairs completed by FRC. Finally, UCA/FRC collaboration provided insight to contribute to establishment 3 repair cafes in Taiwan under the banner of the Southern Taiwan Repair Alliance. Two follow-up workshops were held in Taiwan in 2020 and 2023 to share knowledge and experience. A PhD might complete a 4th global repair café study – Repair Café International Foundation (RCIF) has expressed interest in further collaboration on a survey and support with getting the questionnaire out to repair cafes. There might also be more depth case studies on the UK and 1 or 2 other countries with implications/insights provided for Surrey based repair cafés including FRC. The research would have implications for local and national policy makers, town councils, citizens and other repair cafes.

‘Architects, Designers, Mothers’ PhD Project Area

There is an increasing body of research on women's overlooked contribution to architecture and design. However there is still a significant gap in the literature in terms of key issues that have affected the ability to study and pursue careers in architecture and design past and present; motherhood and caring roles.This PhD studentship invites candidates with research projects that explores histories, theories, and practices around the relationship between architecture or design professionals, motherhood and care in the 20th and/or 21st centuries.

Candidates are invited to submit proposals for research projects that are historically / theoretically focused or as a current subject to be addressed through or creative practice.

The project can be domestic or international in scope and can focus on design and/or architecture discipline(s). Subjects and approaches could include but are not limited to: creative practitioners marginalised due to motherhood or caring responsibilities; methodologies for researching architect/designer mothers’ contributions to architecture and design; non heteronormative parenthood and the architecture/design profession; motherhood, social reproduction and the architecture/design professions; the impact of parenthood on professional opportunities past or present; the role of motherhood in shaping the design process; the role of archives, collections and exhibitions in shaping narratives of architect/design mothers.

The research project should critically engage with key issues in contemporary architecture/design research and recognise the interdisciplinary and intersectional nature of the subject. Based in the Canterbury School of Architecture and Design (CSAD), the research project is expected to engage with research in other Schools at UCA. While we expect applicants to have a background in architecture and/or design, we welcome candidates from different relevant backgrounds and disciplines. The PhD can be pursued either by thesis-only or creative practice.

If you are successful in gaining a place on the PhD programme, the University will appoint a supervisory team for your project. However, if there is a member of staff who you would particularly like to work with you can let us know in your proposal. If you wish, you may also contact a potential supervisor directly.

In Stage 1, the Research Degree leader and at least two relevant supervisors will look at your Research Proposal Form, supporting bibliography and CV to assess the strength of your proposal, your relevant experience, and the resources, supervision and equipment we have available to support your project. The panel will complete a feedback form and make a recommendation: reject, resubmit or interview. If the recommendation is to interview, the interview panel will usually include the prospective supervisor(s).

Stage 2 of the process is a formal interview. This will explore your relevant qualifications, motivation for undertaking a PhD, your past experience of research, the clarity of your research objectives, the feasibility of your study, how well you re able to articulate your proposal, your awareness of other researchers’ work within your field of study, the strength of your own practice, and your references. If the panel recommends you for a place, the decision will need to be approved by the Head of School, who will agree a supervisory team before offering you a place.

We know that, at this stage, your research proposal can only be a first draft of your ideas and plans for your research project, but it should be well enough constructed for the assessment panel to judge your application fairly and systematically.

All PhDs include a substantial written component. In your draft proposal you are required to supply enough written material here to indicate the significance of the project and how you will seek to develop it with your supervisors. Each required section has a word length attached and you are very strongly advised to write to this full length – this will give your proposal its best chance of success.

In total you are expected to provide 2000 words of explanation.

Your proposal MUST include the following elements:

Title of project 

Topic
A clear, succinct description of your proposed research project. 300 words

Background and context
This section should explain the background and context of your research, outline the contribution to knowledge that you wish to make, and explain why this is an important area for research. 500 words

Objectives and Impact
What do you hope to have achieved by the successful completion of your PhD project? How might it have an impact in the world? This section should show what you want to achieve by spelling out four objectives for your research. Each objective should be expressed in 100 words.

Related texts
This section should outline the most important written research that has already been carried out in your research area. Explain the value of these sources. You should discuss at least three books or journal essays: 300 words in total.

Research method
This section should outline the method you plan to use, including:

• The broad approach - qualitative, quantitative, etc.;
• How you will gather research materials, and how you expect to deal with and analyse them;
• An outline of the broad theoretical framework you wish to use;
• Your response to ethical considerations where the research involves interaction with humans or animals and, where necessary, details of how consent would be obtained. 500 words in total

Visual and other sources of research activity relevant to your project

Many of our doctoral students make art or design artefacts as part of their PhD research. You are invited to include a visual portfolio of related works, of whatever kinds, and to submit it with your written draft proposal. Please title and caption these images individually, indicating their relevance to your proposal. No word limit requirement

For more details about fees and how to pay them, please see the fees & finance pages.

There are several routes open to candidates seeking PhD funding, including:

Student Loans

If you’re from the UK or the EU, you may be eligible to take out a PhD loan from the UK government. For more information about this loan see: www.gov.uk/doctoral-loan

Our PhD Studentships

The studentship package includes a fee waiver for three years’ full-time study, and a stipend of £17,688 each year for three years (or equivalent for part-time study for Home students). The studentships recognise excellence in research and are highly competitive and limited in number. Applicants whose application passes an initial review will be invited to interview. Applicants who are successful at interview and offered a place will be put forward for consideration for the Vice-Chancellor’s Studentship awards. Studentship decisions are based on the relevance of the research proposal, and performance at interview. Those applying for a studentship or other funding must apply by 17 April 2023. Decisions on studentship awards will be announced by 30 July 2023.

When submitting your proposal as part of your application for one or more of the Vice-Chancellor’s Studentships, please indicate at the top of your proposal text for which Studentship the proposal should be considered.

For further details of the Vice-Chancellor’s Studentships, University for the Creative Arts 2023 competition, click here.

Our student support fund

UCA runs an additional student support fund for research degree students, providing up to £300 per student per year to support research costs such as specialist external training, attendance at conferences, or the cost of staging an exhibition of practice work for your Final Examination.