MPhil and PhD - How to Apply
It is essential to bear in mind the staff's research interests (including any cross-disciplinary plans) when deciding to apply for research degrees with us. We also welcome proposals that relate to the broad research themes within the Fine Art department at Newcastle: Materials and Process; Exhibiting; Digital Media.
Application for MPhil and PhD degrees can be made at any time. However, if you are a UK or an EU student and intend to apply to us for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding, you should submit your application to us by February 16th 2012. The application form for the AHRC funding must be submitted to us by March 1st 2012. Please see the information regarding funding below.
Prior to submitting the formal application form that is required by the University, we would strongly advise you if possible to contact us in order to discuss your project. We would ask you to submit to the Director of Postgraduate Studies visual documentation of your work, if appropriate, and a research proposal of 1,000–2,000 words. We can then discuss the feasibility of your proposal and indicate whether we might be able to support your project with the appropriate resources and supervisors. We would also be able to indicate whether there is any specific information, documentation or change to the proposal that we would require before your formal application was submitted.
The proposal needs to be well-argued, well-written and clear. There is no strict template for the structure of the proposal. However, it is recommended that applicants include the following details:
- a provisional title;
- an introduction to the research theme/idea (and, where appropriate, an initial review of other practice-based work in this area) to set the scene;
- a well thought through 'research question' that the research will aim to answer, or a thematic to be explored;
- an outline of the kinds of practice or proposed methodology that will be used to achieve the research objectives and answer the research question;
- clearly defined research aims and reasons why the research is important;
- an initial suggested structure (although this is likely to change as the research progresses);
The fastest way to apply is via our online application system. Visual documentation of your studio work (up to 20 images) must be also be submitted. Jpeg files can be attached to the online application or images can be sent directly to the Head of Postgraduate Studies either within an email, or sent in the form of slides, CD, or DVD (see Further Information below for contact details).
Entry Qualifications: 
You should normally have a good honours degree (2.1 or higher) in a subject relevant to your research proposal, and as indicated above, it is advisable to discuss your proposed subject with us before beginning the application process. We would normally expect an applicant for a PhD to also hold a master's level degree.
If you wish to study for a PhD but do not already have a master's degree, you should apply in the first instance for the MPhil. If your progress during the first year is satisfactory, you can arrange to transfer to the doctorate.
English Language
Applicants for whom English is not a first language must provide evidence of a satisfactory command of English, preferably with an IELTS score of 6.5 or greater, TOEFL 575 (paper-based) or 233 (computer-based), or equivalent.
Funding
AHRC studentship awards for UK and EU students:
Fine Art at Newcastle has been exceptionally successful in recent years in gaining AHRC funding for our students through the Block Grant Scheme.
If you wish to seek funding for entry in 2011 and beyond, you are advised to contact us (Richard Talbot) as early as possible to discuss your application for possible funding. The deadline for applications for 2012 entry is February 16th 2012 . The application form for the AHRC funding must be submitted to us by March 1st 2012.
Details of the awards and of how to apply for them can be found here.
Your application will be what we use to decide whether or not to consider you for funding, so all the sections need to be fully completed and your accompanying proposal/statement needs to be well-argued, well-written, and clear. Finally, if you are hoping to be considered for this funding, you will need to make sure that you have spoken with your referees and that they will be able to provide your references at short notice. Those UK and EU students who wish to seek AHRC funding for their studies should also be aware of the AHRC's studentship guidelines.
International Students
Newcastle University offers a large number of partial scholarships to prospective international postgraduate research students. Please click here for more information.
International students may be eligible to apply for funding from their own governments or educational bodies, especially for PhD level research. You are advised to investigate these possibilities with your governmental or educational bodies as early as possible as many sources of funding have application deadlines in advance of those followed in the UK.
Other Opportunities
There are other funding opportunities available to both UK and non-UK citizens. In the first instance, try using the university's funding pages to help you:
- you should also check out the DirectGov pages on finance by clicking here (for students from England)