Paul Jackson
Professor in History
level:PG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:false;part_time:false;start_month:October, March;location:Waterside
Fine Art MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works
Key Facts
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Duration
MPhil: Full Time 12 months - 3 years or Part Time 30 months - 5 years
PhD: Full Time 2 years - 4 years or Part Time 3 years - 6 years
PhD by Published Works: Part Time 1 year - 2 years -
Level
PostgraduatePG PhD
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See Fees and Funding
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See Fees and Funding
Updated 10/12/2025
Updated 10/12/2025
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
The University of Northampton offers a choice of study within this Fine Art MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published Works, which includes Practiced Based in the Arts. The MPhil/PhD Fine Art is a research project, which may involve your already-established practice or may require the development of new modes of practice specific to the project. The programme offers an excellent route to expand your knowledge and research skills. We offer a supportive, stimulating, and creative environment in which to develop your doctoral research. We welcome applications from graduates in Fine Art or a similar discipline, with a wide range of backgrounds, here in the UK and internationally.
Find out more about the Research Centre for Art and Design.
The closing dates for applications for the next October intake is 1 August and for the next March intake is 11 December.
Highlights
- The range of expertise offered by this programme is unique to the University of Northampton and we have research expertise covering many aspects pertaining to contemporary Fine Art practice including:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Social and participatory art practices
- Photographic and moving image practices
- Artist’s Book and Photobook practices
- Advance to the highest quality of research in Fine Art that demonstrates ambition, breadth of vision and creativity
- Enable you to further your aspirations as a practicing artist
- Encourage your practice, art and writing, to make an original contribution to knowledge, and to further understanding through the processes of research
- Access to a diversity of research outputs including the visual and verbal (exhibitions, events, performances, collaborations, publications, conferences)
- Affirm the importance of Fine Art research whilst also exploring the possibilities of inter-disciplinary research with other departments and faculties at UON
- Opportunity to contribute to the research culture of the Research Centre for Art and Design and the wider UON community and to exchange ways of working, thinking, doing and being
- Encouraged sharing of research with national and international research institutions and the wider publics
Image shows aerial view of the Creative Hub; a modern, curved building surrounded by greenery, paths, and people sitting or walking near a river on a partly cloudy day.
Image shows the main entrance to the Learning Hub, which is a large, multi-storied building with many large windows, with ‘Learning Hub’ in large letters on the front. It is a sunny day, and several blurred people are walking outside.
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Image shows external view of the Creative Hub, which is a large modern multi-story building with curved design, large windows, and white façade. In front of the building, people walk and sit on a landscaped plaza with trees and benches.
Image shows a study area on the ground floor of the Creative Hub; it has bright and modern with large windows, light fixtures on the ceiling, colourful chairs, and students seated at tables.
Entry Requirements
We expect all applicants to have a good first degree at 2.1 or 1:1 Honours degree from a UK university (or equivalent), and usually to have a Masters degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent research experience).
We accept a wide range of international qualifications and require applicants to be suitably proficient in spoken and written English.
You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level. These applications are considered on an individual basis.
All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
- successful interview by the University
- suitable Research Supervision Support
For Additional information on how to apply to study with us, how to find a potential Supervisor and what documents are required as part of the application process, please see our How to Apply page.
More detailed information about research degrees is available on our Postgraduate Research information page.
All students whose first language is not English must reach a satisfactory level of proficiency in English language before starting their studies at the University of Northampton.
You will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme. Applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will not be considered.
Various English language qualifications are acceptable.
What You'll Learn
This Fine Art PhD programme is a way for you to develop your specialism and improve your technical skills.
While developing and setting up research projects, you will initially receive general, discipline based and project specific training so that you can go on to conduct your research work effectively and independently. When you finish this course, you will be able to find research and development roles within the industry or progress into an academic career or enter business at a managerial level.
Every research student has a supervisory team, and you will be supervised throughout your project by artists and theorists who are specialists in their areas of research, who are experienced at supervising PhD level projects and who will advise you on what additional activities you need to complete to achieve your goals. The exact structure of your supervision will be determined by the nature of your project and through discussion with your supervisory team; however, it is expected that you will maintain regular contact with your supervisors throughout the research project.
You will need to submit the following documents with your application:
- a 1000 word research proposal – please view the guidance notes on how to write a proposal for a research degree
- two references
- photocopies or scans of your undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
- photocopies or scans of your Masters certificate and transcript
- evidence of English language ability (where English is not the first language)
- change of name document if your application and certificates are in different names
- Passport, if you are applying for off-site study
You will need to submit the following documents with your application:
- a document of 750 – 1000 words demonstrating a case for the published works as a coherent programme of research, making an original contribution to the present state of knowledge
- two references
- photocopies or scans of your undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
- photocopies or scans of your Masters certificate and transcript
- evidence of English language ability (where English is not the first language)
- a statement of the review processes of journals (or equivalent) in which the work has been published
- a copy of the first page of each of the works
- statements from co-authors on the extent of your contribution to the research where appropriate
- change of name document if your application and certificates are in different names
- Passport, if you are applying for off-site study
What is the difference between a full PhD and a PhD by Published works?
A PhD involves conducting original research and writing a thesis, while a PhD by Published Works is awarded based on a collection of previously published papers demonstrating significant contributions to the field. Additional information about choosing your type of research degree can be found on our How to apply for Research degree study page.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
- UK – Full Time: £5,700
- UK – Part Time: £2,845
- International – Full Time: £16,350
- International – Part Time: £7,640
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.
- UK – Part Time: £3,600
- International – Part Time: £7,840
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding and Scholarships pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- UK – Full Time: £5,500
- UK – Part Time: £2,775
- International – Full Time: £15,950
- International – Part Time: £7,450
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by Means of Published Works
- UK – Part Time: £3,500
- International – Part Time: £7,650
Staff
Andrew Hewitt
Professor of Art and the Public Sphere
Michael Evans
Senior Lecturer - Painting
Careers and Employability
Successful defence of the final thesis will provide the researcher with the highest qualification that any UK university can award and offer an excellent opportunity to move into higher management positions within the industry. Our students have progressed to a wide range of areas. Many have continued to develop their practice as an artist whilst some have moved into academic research related to their topic. Others have gone on to take up roles in cultural organisations, teaching and the creative industries.
