Research Students (PhD, MRes, and MLitt)

This page contains key documents for Research students of all schools at NCAD.

PhD and MLitt students

The Handbook for PhD and MLitt Students 2024-25 can be downloaded here. It contains key information about tutorials, work in progress presentations, the annual review, the examination process. 

Other key documents include:

The Tutorial Report Form that students should complete following each major tutorial;

The Research and Professional Development Plan (Report) that students should complete prior to meetings with the Research Studies Panel;

NCAD's Postgraduate Policy And Procedures document; 

Events Fund Application Form - for proposals for workshops and seminars at NCAD;

The Research and Professional Development Plan (Stage Transfer / Transfer to PhD) form required when an MRes student seeks to transfer to PhD;

The Intention to Submit Form required prior to the final examination of work for the award of MLitt or PhD;

The Request for Extension to the Deadline for Submission form, in the event that a student needs to extend their period of registration. 

Master of Research (MRes)

The Handbook for Masters of Research Students 2024-25 can be downloaded here.

Master of Research students at NCAD undertake a 90-credit programme of study supporting the design and resolution of a self-determined project.  The programme is offered in full-time mode (12 months), or part-time mode (24 months), or long mode (3 summer trimesters).  

MRes study takes the form of independent research into one or more of the fields of enquiry taught by the Schools of Design, Education, Fine Art, Visual Culture at NCAD.

It is often used as the first phase of study by students who wish to transfer to PhD at the end of that time.

Typically, students on the programme will create a body of work (artworks, text/s, designs, objects) which results from a systematic programme of critical enquiry into a research question or issue that the student has identified and scoped.  As such, an MRes requires a greater degree of intellectual independence on the part of a student than is required on a taught master’s programme.  On completion, the work will demonstrate contemporary relevance in terms of an engagement with current concerns and issues in the field.

The MRes programme is particularly suitable for artists, designers and educators who wish to develop a new set of research skills and understanding, or engage in experiments with new materials, processes or data.  Students registered on the programme will form a community of researchers across the institution.

Key Documents

Prior to commencing study, MRes students prepare a 'Learning Contract' which they discuss and agree with their likely supervisor/s. This document is called ‘Research and Professional Development Plan (Learning Contract)' and can be downloaded here. 

The Tutorial Report Form that students should complete following each major tutorial;

The Research and Professional Development Plan (Report) that students should complete prior to meetings with the Research Studies Panel;

The Research and Professional Development Plan (Stage Transfer / Transfer to PhD) form required when an MRes student seeks to transfer to PhD;

NCAD's Postgraduate Policy And Procedures document.

Taught modules

While undertaking their major research project work, to support the acquisition of key skills and competencies, students undertake at least three 5-credit modules at postgraduate level, offered through NCAD postgraduate taught programmes, by the Creative Futures Academy (CFA), or by selecting one of a series of modules specifically developed to support MRes and PhD students.  These include:

CFA modules

To enhance the choice of taught modules, students may also select to study appropriate modules from Creative Futures Academy (CFA).  These include modules in the Professional Diploma in Art & Design Research:

For further information on the MRes programme, contact: postgraduate@ncad.ie