PhD Art and Design

The Belfast School of Art was established in 1849, making it the oldest School in Ulster University and enjoys a longstanding and rich research environment. Ulster’s Art & Design Research environment for staff and PhD Researchers was judged to be 100% internationally excellent and world-leading by REF2014, with 80% at 4* and 20* at 3*. We were ranked 3rd in the UK for its world-leading 4* research. Our lecturers and professors are practicing artists and designers who are actively involved in research, several of which, in collaboration with researchers from other disciplines. Our focus on practice and applied research is recognised with over 70% of our impact being rated as world leading.

The school draws on its international networks, bringing important figures in the world of art and design to Belfast to work with our Researchers. Our growing and thriving provision positions us as one of the leading providers of art and design education in the UK and the largest on the island of Ireland. We provide a centre of excellence and an environment for innovation, creativity and energy.

PhD graduates are recognised by employers to hold valuable transferrable skills, as the nature of the degree trains candidates in creativity, critical inquiry, problem solving, negotiation skills, professionalism and confidence. The most recent Ulster survey of PhD graduates found that 92% had secured employment within the first year since graduation (HESA Destination of Leavers Survey 2015), and while two thirds end up in the Higher Education or Research sectors, the range of skills acquired equips the remainder for employment in a wide range of contexts.