Programme summary for Professional Doctorate Fine Art

This programme is three years full time, five years part-time.

During the academic year 2006-7 six students completed their doctorates, and another seven are expected to complete this year. This reflects the strength of the research culture within Fine Art, and is evidence of the dedication of the students and staff.

This year’s graduates include students from Taiwan, South Korea, and Greece, as well as the UK

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About the programme

This doctorate is a practice-based research degree, unique to UEL. With its greater emphasis on practice, it is more appropriate for many artists than a PhD. The programme aims to enable you to develop and demonstrate a high level of professional practice through your research and creative practice. It provides a critical dialogue linking theory with creative practice. However, the written element supports and reflects on the practice, which represents the main part of the original research.

Programme structure

The first year emphasis is on preparation and registration of the research proposal.

There is a Research Methodologies module in the first year to support this undertaking, which is part of the masters programme delivery.

The student is supported throughout their programme of study by the programme tutor and 2 supervisors who have expertise in the student’s research field.

Students also receive tutorials where appropriate as part of the visiting artists programme and are encouraged to attend any part of the university’s many BA and MA lecture programmes relevant to their research.

The Professional Doctorate programme is delivered by supervision of research in theory, creative and professional practice. It also involves exhibition seminars, and an annual Critical Review Paper.The Visiting Artists’ programme includes presentations and discussions, studio and gallery visits.

The taught element of the programme represents less than half of the total programme measured by student effort.

Career opportunities

Many graduates have successfully taken academic positions at universities and colleges both in the UK and overseas. Many also exhibit their work nationally and internationally and have received recognition in a large number of international competitions and exhibitions.

Support

The development of the proposal is supported by the Research Methodologies module, the Programme Leader and supervisors. Research methods are consistently the subject of tutorial dialogue with the supervisors in the studio. Further support is offered by the visiting artists programme and external critique. Each student’s research is addressed individually and as it develops during the period of study. Technical support is either by workshop or by individual consultation.

The Graduate School is responsible for providing a focus to the support of our postgraduate research students and for our institution’s research and scholarly strategy.

Professional Doctorate students will have at least two and not normally more than three supervisors, who together demonstrate an appropriate range of academic and professional experience. One supervisor shall be the Director of Studies with responsibility to supervise the candidate on a regular and frequent basis.

Admission

MA in Fine Art or related subject.

Candidates with advanced standing who may not have an MA but who are working in the public domain with evidence of continuing professional activity may also apply if their professional practice is of sufficiently high standard to successfully complete the doctorate.
An initial submission of the application form with personal statement outlining in brief, the student’s research area, is required. The second stage involves interview at which time the student has an opportunity to discuss their research in more detail with staff.

Exceptionally, applications are considered from overseas students without interview. In this case the application should be submitted with all necessary references, CV, clear research outline and evidence of practice in the form of a CD or electronic portfolio submission, and a telephone number so that the application can be discussed. At least two members of academic staff will review each application before a decision is made.

Applicants with either prior-certified learning or prior-experiential learning that closely matches the specified learning outcomes of the taught part of the programme may be able to claim exemption via agreed university procedures. No exemption can be claimed against the research part of the programme or in situations where a professional body excludes it.