Art and design research degrees

An overview of our postgraduate research in art and design and entry requirements for PhDs and other research degrees.

On this page

Associate Dean of Research, Calum Colvin, discusses the huge variety of research at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD) seeks to foster innovation within creative practice, employ creative practice as a methodology to enhance other disciplines or domains, and contribute towards an explicit and transparent knowledge base that furthers our disciplines in the future.

In the UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008), DJCAD was rated top in the UK for the quality of its art & design research environment. Evidence of our research esteem is seen in the decision by the Victoria & Albert Museum and Scottish Enterprise, backed by the Scottish Government, to establish V&A Dundee, a joint facility to conduct research into future visual products and processes in design and craft.

In the last decade, in parallel to the development of our research profile and academic researchers, we have grown a thriving community of research degrees students. We welcome applications from excellent candidates who are keen to join this vibrant research community and whose interests align with our research strengths:

  • Digital Economy, Futures & Culture
  • Visualisation & the Application of Visual Thinking
  • Art, Media, and Visual Studies

For more information about Research in Art and Design at Dundee, please visit the DJCAD website.

Propose your own PhD topic

If you want to propose your PhD topic, you can use the contact details below to contact a staff member to discuss your proposal.

How to write your best postgraduate research proposal

Entry requirements

Although applicants can apply for a research degree immediately after undergraduate study, applicants are normally expected to have a Masters degree. In addition a period of work experience is not necessary but considered valuable.

English language requirements

IELTS (overall) Reading Listening Speaking Writing
6.5 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.5

We also accept other English language qualifications

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of certain countries.

Don't meet the English language requirements?

English language programmes

Prepare for university study and benefit from extra English tuition with an English language programme.

Art and Design PhD tuition fees

Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2023/24 £4,712 
per year of study		 £20,895 
per year of study
2024/25 £4,786
per year of study		 £21,940 
per year of study

Art and Design Masters by Research tuition fees

  • MDes(R)
  • MFA(R)
Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2023/24 £4,712 
per year of study		 £20,895 
per year of study
2024/25 £4,786
per year of study		 £21,940 
per year of study

Tuition fee per year of study (subject to a 3% annual increase for Scottish/Rest of UK students and a 5% annual increase for International students).

Part time study, where available, is charged on a pro-rata basis.

Scottish/Rest of UK fee status annual increase

Each year, UKRI sets a recommended fee and stipend level for Scottish/Rest of UK students, which we use as the basis for fees charged to this group.

UKRI usually increases its fee and stipend levels in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator. 

Therefore, the Scottish/Rest of UK fees detailed in this table for 2025/26 (and beyond) can only be estimated according to the typical increase. 

The fee charged to you may differ, though only slightly, from the figure given.

Apply for a research degree

You can apply for a PhD or other postgraduate research degree using our Direct Application System.

We have up to three start dates per academic year.

PhD Art & Design

PhD Art & Design (5 year) (part time)

MFA by Research Art & Design

MFA by Research Art & Design (part time)

MDes by Research Art & Design

MDes by Research Art & Design (part time)

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (non-graduating) (research)

See also: Art and Design (Professional Doctorate) DProf

Disabled students

The University of Dundee welcomes applications from disabled students.

Enquiries