Postgraduate Research in History of Art and Design, Visual Culture and Theory: MLitt & PhD

On this page:

Introduction: History of Art and Design, Visual Culture and Theory
MLitt and PhD by Research and Thesis
Applications and Procedures
Who Should Apply?

Further pages in this sub-section (also accessible from left-hand navigation bar):

Introduction: Research in History of Art and Design, Visual Culture and Theory

The Faculty of Visual Culture is an interdisciplinary centre for teaching and research in a wide range of humanities and social science disciplines with particular focus and expertise across the history of art and design. This mix of disciplines in the Faculty is characterized by the recurrence of themes of art and design; representation; cultural production; cultural consumption; material culture; visual and spatial culture; and cultural politics. These themes have been explored through a variety of methodologies and with reference to a range of art and design practices to mass cultural forms; from the historical and the traditional to emergent contemporary cultural practices. Subject areas taught in the Faculty include art history, design history, art theory and criticism, aesthetics, philosophy of art, media studies, cultural studies, gender studies, film studies, business studies for design practitioners, and the history of architecture and applied arts. The Faculty has consistently attracted a broad range of PhD and Masters research projects ranging from contemporary art criticism, film and critical theory to historical studies in art, design, architecture and applied arts. Research topics have engaged both broadly international and specifically Irish contexts, and the themes of enquiry have often been interdisciplinary in nature and combined historical and contemporary perspectives. The Faculty provides masters and doctoral programmes, and welcomes research proposals from a broad range of researchers. Research is a major interest in the faculty and research degrees have been awarded since 1989. Staff have extensive research interests and expertise. For further information on the specific areas of expertise of individual staff members please see the staff pages.

MLitt and PhD by Research and Thesis

Postgraduate researchers in the Faculty are required to attend for individual research supervision, participate in a regular research seminar and to take a lecture programme in critical and visual research methodologies. There is also an important programme of visiting lecturers which further contributes to the dynamic culture of debate. The Faculty is thus committed to establishing a community of researchers and a context of lively exchange, scholarly discussion and critical debate.

Applications and Procedures

Applicants are expected to hold an honours degree (2:2 and above) in a relevant discipline. Applicants are required to submit a clear research proposal which indicates the general context of the research, the rationale, the specific focus of research and the proposed method of enquiry. Applicants should submit two examples of previous written work and a completed application form. Applicants will need to provide two references also. The feasibility, appropriateness and potential of the intended study are considered at application stage. Selected applicants, based on an evaluation of their application and proposal, will be invited to attend for interview at the College. In those circumstances where an application for study is not successful the College will not enter into further discussion with reference to the unsuccessful application, once notice has been given to the applicant. For further details about preparing a proposal and examples of previous work, and the criteria used to evaluate these view our Guidelines for Applicants.

The final submission for a postgraduate programme will normally entail a thesis of 40,000 words for MLitt. or 80,000-100,000 words for PhD. All postgraduate students are asked to consider the appropriate form for making the outcomes of their research work publicly and professionally available (e.g. academic or popular publication, exhibition, symposium, or other.)

The award is validated by the National University of Ireland, which appoints External Examiners to monitor the decision of the College examiners. The MLitt by research is normally completed in two years full-time while the PhD requires a minimum of three years full-time study.

Who Should Apply?

Applicants are welcomed for postgraduate studies with an initial degree, minimum second-class honours, from a broad range of humanities and social science disciplines and experience, including (but not limited to) history, history of art, design and architecture, philosophy, cultural studies, visual culture, art, architectural or design practice, ethnography, anthropology, archaeology, literature, media studies, communications, film studies, museum studies, and social studies. Some applicants may be required to pass a qualifying examination which can be set in consultation with them.