MPhil & PhD in Design
Peter Spring, PhD in Design
Full-time or part-time.
Along with your application form, please include a 2,000-word outline of your research proposal. This must set out an appropriate range of issues to be explored through your research and must include some indication of the approach you might take in your research (eg literature-based research, empirical research, practice-based research). Your proposal should also identify what you seek to achieve as an outcome for your research.
Please see How to apply.
You should normally have a Master’s degree in a relevant subject area.
The Department offers a number of postgraduate research bursaries each year – visit the Department of Design for details.
We produce graduates of consistently high calibre, including many who have become leaders in the creative industries of a number of countries, including China, Japan and Korea. Our students have won numerous awards (including UK Young Designer of the Year and Eco-Designer of the Year) and their shows have attracted positive attention in the media and achieved great acclaim in the design community. A number of graduates are now working in top London design consultancies (Fitch, Thomas Heatherwick Studios, Imagination, Pentagram) and major UK companies (John Lewis Partnership, Eden Project, Harvey Nichols).
Please see Tuition fees.
Please see Staff research interests.
Design
We welcome enquiries from those who would like to carry out research in any aspect of design or in technology in education – current studies include: eco-design and forecasting trends; the design of multi-sensory retail environments; curriculum development in design; the role of awkward space in cities; pupil assessment in design and technology education; reflexive drawing and the connection between representation and creativity; social theory in a world of designed objects; harnessing memes to disseminate design ideas.
Please see more information about Starting your research, upgrading to PhD registration, and submitting your thesis.
Practice-based MPhil and PhD
Both the MPhil and the PhD can be linked to design practice. A practice-based MPhil explores new approaches to, or applications of, existing knowledge by means of practice. A practice-based PhD creates new knowledge by means of practice. In either case, your final presentation will include both an original, creative practice component and a thesis that will contextualise this practice.
Since the practice component of your research constitutes a significant part of the final examination, the thesis requirement is reduced.
Assessment
Thesis and viva voce.
Application enquiries
Please see how to apply for information on applying to this programme.