PHD & Research
The PhD programme at NCAD is a structured programme involving significant interdisciplinary and discipline specific input in the early stages of the research project, and active engagement with a community of researchers within and beyond NCAD. NCAD offers PhD Programmes in Design, Education, Fine Art and Visual Culture.
PhD through Practice in Design
In the PhD programme through Design - whether working as part of a research cluster or on an individual programme of enquiry – students demonstrate advanced research ability in the discovery and development of new knowledge and skills, delivering findings at the frontiers of knowledge and application. The key issue in a PhD is that the student will make a significant contribution to the field of enquiry. It is an ambitious programme of study whether pursued through practical work or written thesis. PhD study normally requires a minimum of three years full-time study (but may require longer, given the high level of achievement required).
PhD through Education
The School of Education has a broad research remit in art, design and visual education including all levels of educational provision and is especially interested in encouraging innovative research approaches. While the PhD through Education is normally by written thesis, the School considers applications which employ alternative media.
PhD in Fine Art
Pursuing a PhD through fine art practice requires the production of a major body of work within a critically reflective frame of enquiry. PhD researchers are expected to extend and develop a particular area of art practice through practical work, exhibition and discursive production. Fine Art learning conditions support the integration of art production and theory.
PhD in Visual Culture
The School of Visual Culture is an interdisciplinary centre for teaching and research in humanities and social science disciplines with particular focus and expertise across the history, theory and criticism of art, design and visual culture. The School creates a community that fosters lively exchange, scholarly discussion and critical debate. The mix of disciplines in the School enables ambitious enquiries into all aspects of art and design, representation, cultural production, cultural consumption, material culture, visual and spatial culture and cultural politics. Themes are explored through a variety of methodologies and with reference to a wide variety of art and design practices and forms of Visual Culture.