School of Creative Industries

PhD Postgraduate Research in Art and Design

PhD Part-time 8 years, Full-time 4 years

The Wolverhampton School of Art is a buzzing city art school in the centre of the UK offering a dynamic and stimulating environment for PhD study.

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The Wolverhampton School of Art is a buzzing city art school in the centre of the UK offering a dynamic and stimulating environment for PhD study.

Award
PhD
Start date(s)
Variable start date
UCAS Code
Course specifications
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Course length
Part-time (8 years),Full-time (4 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
School
School of Creative Industries
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Why choose this course?

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a research degree with the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Science. We will be delighted to discuss your area of interest with you but, before doing so, it is important to determine whether or not we can offer research supervision in your chosen area.

The aim of our research programmes is to give each student the best possible foundation from which to launch further research and career development. We help our students to develop the relevant research skills and methods and also support the development of related skills such as IT, presentation and career planning.

This approach, together with the relevant research expertise and resources, support the completion of high-quality research degree programmes.

Details of current and recent research degree topics include:

  • Classical and modern portraiture; contemporary art theory and phototheory; post-60s critical theory
  • Postwar art (especially Francis Bacon); death of God theologies (especially Georges Bataille); art and theology; critical theory; abjection; visual communication, especially theories of branding.
  • Ornament, explored through painting and collage.
  • Glass
  • Photography
  • Narrative, memory, identity and the Archive: Fine Art , Drawing and Photography practice related to Documentary, Landscape and Alternative and Experimental practices .
  • Design history, gender and design, dress and textiles, material culture, co-creation/co-design and community engagement, arts/design for health and wellbeing, magazines and gender, archival practices, British interwar design.   
  • Practice-led research investigating conceptual art and ‘hypermedial’ technology.
  • Performance based arts practice, Performance based practice (Acting Methodologies), Film practice, Multidisciplinary practice (inc. Collage, Photography, Appropriation), National
  • Erosion in urban environs through the everyday processes by which surfaces are worn down, thinned or marked by contact with weather, citizens, or other agents, and detritus deposited elsewhere.
  • Contemporary and modern art theory (in particular the avant-garde and neo-avant-garde); phototheory (theories of realism); post-Kantian philosophy; contemporary cultural theory and critical theory; post-relational art practice
  • Material colour in glass and its emotional affects in relation to bipolar disorder and other themes.

Now is a great time to start your postgraduate research degree as loans are now available to help ease the cost of study at this level. For more information please see the following web page: www.gov.uk/doctoral-loan.

What's unique about this course?

This PhD:
1. Vibrant Research Community – The Wolverhampton School of Creative Industries fosters a dynamic research environment through CADRE, supporting interdisciplinary and collaborative projects.
2. Internationally Recognised Research – Many staff produce internationally significant work, including world-leading research, ensuring a high-quality academic experience.
3. Funding & Career Development – Students receive financial support for conference attendance and research visits, helping them disseminate their work and build academic careers.
4. Diverse Research Specialisms – Offers expertise in areas like social art practice, digital media, material theory, and documentary film, providing a broad research scope.
5. Strong Supervisory Support – Experienced PhD supervisors offer regular meetings and guidance for both practice-led and theoretical research projects.
6. Career Opportunities – A PhD enhances employability in academia, arts administration, media research, filmmaking, and related fields.

The University of Wolverhampton:
1. Central UK Location – A well-connected city-based university offering excellent transport links for students across the country and internationally.
2. Cutting-Edge Facilities – Access to high-quality research resources, studios, and digital labs to support innovative artistic and theoretical work.
3. Doctoral College Support – Provides additional skills training, workshops, and networking opportunities to enhance student development.
4. Industry & Community Engagement – Strong links with the creative industries, public sphere projects, and collaborative research opportunities.
5. Inclusive & Supportive Environment – A university committed to diversity, accessibility, and student success, offering tailored support for postgraduate researchers.

What happens on the course?

Full-time students will meet with their Director of Study at least once a month, and their supervisory team at least 3 times a year (every two months with the DoS plus 2 meetings a year with the team for part-timers).

Approximately half-way through the doctoral study (12-18 months full-time, or 3 years part-time) the student is required to complete a ‘Progression’ stage. Here the student will summarise their research achievements and outline their future research plans (including research methods) to completion. They will also give a presentation of their work to an independent assessor and members of the research community.

Finally, at the end of their study, they will produce a thesis for a viva examination by an internal and an external academic with the appropriate expertise.

PhD Supervisors - Art and Design

a selfie of simon harris

Dr Simon Roffey-Harris

''My continued research has taken the relationship between the photographic darkroom as a point of the abstracted event for painting. It is at this point of nexus that the distinct relationship between painting, photography and ‘the virtual’ can be presented. In effect how, an understanding of the virtual can be employed as a mode of post-digital semblance (representation). The role of the virtual becomes a key concept in understanding how as a mode of visual semblance as a constructed illusion becomes pictorially abstract through the advent of the post-digital.'' Read more here.

a photo of Denise Doyle

Dr Denise Doyle

''With over 20 years of experience in arts and new technologies Dr Denise Doyle continues to research the impact of emerging technologies on practices across a diverse range of creative fields. In 2019 she was awarded £85,000 as an International Research and Innovation Scheme (IRIS) to join the STARTS Prize initiative co-ordinated by Ars Electronica on behalf of the European Commission. Together, with a team of inter-disciplinary researchers from the University of Wolverhampton, she will investigate successful STARTS (Science, Technology, and the Arts) methodologies in projects recognised by the Prize.'' Read more here.
a photo of John Roberts
Professor John Roberts
''I am Professor of Art & Aesthetics, in the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences, and leader of the Research Cluster 'Art Philosophy and Social Practice'. I am currently PI (Principal Investigator) for a recently awarded Marie Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) ( The Future of European Independent Art Spaces in a Period of Socially Engaged Art [FEINART]). FEINART is an ambitious, pan-European ITN, supported by Marie Curie-Sklodowska Actions, committed to providing high quality training for 11 ESRs (Early-Stage Researchers) in the area of art and social engagement. The network covers four beneficiaries (University of Wolverhampton, UK; Edinburgh University UK; Zeppelin University, Germany; University of Iceland) and 7 partners (Tensta Konstall, Sweden; BAK, Netherlands; State of Concept, Greece; W-Est, Italy; Tranzit.ro, Romania; Biennale Warsaw, Poland; and Iceland University of the Arts, Iceland).'' Read more here.
a photo of Benjamin Halligan
Dr Benjamin Halligan
''I took up the position of Director of the Doctoral College at the University of Wolverhampton in November 2015. I work to provide an outstanding research culture for our PhD, Professional Doctorate and MPhil research students — one that supports expanded access, transparency of assessment, vibrant research communities, skills and career development, and timely completions. I see my role as exclusively working for the research student experience, across all disciplines in the University, and across all aspects of the student journey and well-being.'' Read more here
a photo of Dean Kelland
Dr Dean Kelland
Dean Kelland is a UK Based Artist who explores portraiture as a performative practice. His process follows an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates performance film, live performance techniques and photography as well as other media and methods. His doctoral thesis “Flawed Masculinities: "Rupturing" 1950s/60s/70s British Sitcom via a Performance-led Interdisciplinary Arts Practice” was supervised by Professor Roger Sabin and Reader Susan Trangmar at Central St Martins, and was successfully examined by Dr. Simon Grennan (University of Chester) and Professor Caroline Evans (Central St Martins).
a photo of euripides
Dr Euripides Altintzoglou
Change is a central theme in Euripides Altintzoglou's work, a constant force that shapes and reshapes the world around us. Euripides is interested not only in the visible manifestations of political discourse but also in the subtle, often overlooked gestures of resistance and resilience. In a world marked by division and discord, art emerges as a means for bridging divides. Euripides' objects, videos, images, and installations, are all led by the iconic virtues of images that serve as catalysts for making things matter. His work is exhibited internationally in private and public galleries, and large-scale international exhibitions. Theoretical publications of note include the monograph Portraiture and Critical Reflections on Being (Routledge, New York, 2018); the co-edited (with Martin Fredriksson) volume of essays Revolt and Revolution: The Protester in the 21st Century (Inter-Disciplinary Press, Oxford, 2016). Read more here.
a photo of Louise Fenton
Dr Louise Fenton
Dr Louise Fenton is a cultural historian, illustrator and writer. Following her first degree in Illustration from Wolverhampton Polytechnic Louise has completed an MA in Illustration from the University of Wolverhampton. It was at this time that her interests moved towards the representations of marginalised cultures. She completed a PhD on the Representations of Vodou at the University of Warwick in 2010. Louise is now a senior lecturer in Contextual Studies. Recent research has been focussed on the visual and literary representations of otherness and the social history of Witchcraft, Voodoo and Zombies. Read more here.

 

 

Potential Career Paths

Successful completion of your PhD opens up a range of career opportunities and demonstrates your proven skills as a researcher. In Film, Media and Broadcasting, having a PhD is now an essential element for those looking to develop a career in lecturing or research within higher education. As well as demonstration of your research skills, a PhD shows your extensive knowledge of a particular field in an applied and rigorous manner that is attractive to employers.

In addition to developing competence in a range of intellectual skills that can be advantageous to the majority of occupations, a PhD in Film or Media is academically relevant to careers in the arts and media, leading to employment in arts administration, film archiving, film and media research, film journalism, filmmaking, animation, photography, film event management, and teaching.

 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

The Wolverhampton School of Art is a buzzing city art school in the centre of the UK offering a dynamic and stimulating environment for PhD study. The iconic building also hosts the Centre for Art, Design, Research and Experimentation (CADRE) where a community of scholars and research-led practitioners work on individual and collaborative projects. CADRE has an established and proven track-record of high quality research and dissemination coming from its 3 research groups: Art, Philosophy and Social Practice; Material and Theoretical Practice; Communication and Design. 

The last Research Assessment Exercise in 2014 indicated that over half of our staff included were working at a level of international significance; which includes world-leading research. Our postgraduate research students play a key role in the research community here and we are very experienced in developing research projects to successful completion. We consider our PhD students as early-career researchers and fully support them towards their chosen career. As such we provide funding towards conference attendance and research visits and encourage our students to disseminate their work to the wider academic community. Research students are invited to attend the Faculty’s rolling programme of public speakers, seminars, workshops and skills training events, as well as those provided by the University and Doctoral College. We also expect them to contribute to the annual PhD students’ self-organised conference.

All student activity is supported and encouraged by our experienced and knowledgeable PhD supervisors who are happy to advise when needed. They meet regularly with their supervisees to ensure full support throughout the life-time of their doctoral study; which can be either practice-led research (45,000 words + practice) or theory-based (95,000 words).

The Centre for Art, Design, Research and Experimentation has an international reputation for excellence across a range of subjects and our staff are happy to receive inquiries regarding potential research topics. Our principal areas of research are:

  • Studio practice and theory (painting, sculpture, printmaking, glass, ceramics, installation work…)
  • Social Art practice
  • Public Sphere work and Art Collectives
  • Co-creation, Craft and Design
  • Art, Design, Health and Well-being
  • Critical and cultural theory
  • Digital media art
  • Virtual environments and creative spaces
  • Material theory and practice
  • Documentary film and animation

 

  • Advanced Research Skills – Develop expertise in research methodologies, critical analysis, and academic writing to contribute original knowledge in film, media, or broadcasting.

  • Expertise in a Specialised Area – Gain deep theoretical and practical knowledge in a chosen field, such as documentary film, digital media art, animation, film journalism, or media research.

  • Interdisciplinary and Practice-Led Research Competence – Engage in theoretical or practice-based research (45,000-word thesis with creative practice or 95,000-word theory-based thesis), contributing to contemporary debates in film and media studies.

  • Academic and Professional Communication – Present research findings effectively in written, visual, and oral formats to both academic and industry audiences.

  • Contribution to the Research Community – Participate in academic conferences, workshops, and PhD student conferences, disseminating research through publications and presentations.

  • Critical and Cultural Awareness – Analyze media texts, cultural productions, and theoretical frameworks within broader social, political, and historical contexts.

  • Collaboration and Engagement – Work within a dynamic research community (CADRE and CFMDC) and collaborate with leading scholars in areas such as art philosophy, digital technology, and media discourse.

  • Higher Education and Industry Readiness – Develop skills relevant for careers in academia, arts administration, media production, film archiving, journalism, and related creative industries.

  • Professional Development and Funding Opportunities – Benefit from funding for conferences and research visits, training in research ethics and methodologies, and career development support.

  • Successful Thesis and Viva Completion – Demonstrate original and significant contributions to knowledge through a completed doctoral thesis, assessed via a viva examination.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £4596 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £4712 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £4786 per year 2024-25
Home Full-time £5006 per year 2025-26
Home Part-time Distance Learning £4596 per year 2022-23
Home Part-time Distance Learning £4712 per year 2023-24
Home Part-time Distance Learning £4786 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time Distance Learning £5006 per year 2025-26
Home Part-time £2298 per year 2022-23
Home Part-time £2356 per year 2023-24
Home Part-time £2393 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £2503 per year 2025-26
International Full-time £14450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £15450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £15950 per year 2024-25
International Full-time £16950 per year 2025-26
International Part-time Distance Learning £14450 per year 2022-23
International Part-time Distance Learning £15450 per year 2023-24
International Part-time Distance Learning £15950 per year 2024-25
International Part-time Distance Learning £16950 per year 2025-26

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

 Applicants for a research degree shall normally hold either:

 • a first or upper second class honours degree, or

 • a master’s degree, or

 • evidence of prior practice or learning that is accepted by the University, or a qualification which is regarded by the University as equivalent to a first or upper second-class honours degree.

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English at least to the level of an IELTS score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no individual element less than 6.0. The only exemption to this is for students who are not required to do so as per UKVI regulations: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english. 

 

Find out about our Creative Industries Research Centres:

CADRE - Centre for Art, Design, Research & Experimentation. 

The Centre for Art, Design, Research & Experimentation accommodates researchers within the Wolverhampton School of Creative Industries. It was established in 2006 to explore and develop the beneficial effect of art and design upon society. The Centre is clustered into three focused areas of research interests: Art Philosophy and Social Practice; Digital Technology Theory and Practice; Material and Theoretical Practice.

CFMDC - The Centre of Film, Media, Discourse and Culture

Research in CFMDC embraces both theoretical and practice-based elements of film, media, discourse and culture. Topics of interest include early US television, ranging from examination of anthology hosts through to actors such as Adam West and directors such as Wes Anderson, Kathryn Bigelow and Andrea Arnold.

 

Financial support for research study:

Before applying, you should consider carefully how you will finance your studies for the duration of your programme, including tuition fees, research support fees and living costs.


Government loans (Home Fee Status):

Government loans are available for postgraduate research students of up to £28,673, to cover fees and living expenses. More information can be found at Doctoral-loans website.


Studying in the UK:Guidance for EU students

For 2021/22 new entrants, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fee status and financial support from Student Finance England.


Self-funded:

We are able to take payments in instalments, to spread out the cost of your studies, and it is possible to switch between full-time and part-time modes of study. For more information go to How to pay.


Postgraduate Research Loyalty Discount:

To students progressing from an undergraduate programme and/or a taught postgraduate programme to a postgraduate research programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree and/or Masters level qualification, as long as the new award is at a higher level.

For full terms and conditions please see: Loyalty Discount for Postgraduate Research Students


Research councils:

The UK Research and Innovation funds postgraduate study in all subject areas on a discretionary basis.


University Research Studentships:

The University offers a very limited number of research stipends, formerly known as bursaries, to research students. Stipends are designed to support specific projects as determined by the Research Institute rather than individual student-led projects. Funds are accessible from the relevant Research Institute or Centre - please contact them directly.


Other sources:

Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

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