Design - Research

The PhD through practice entails a practitioner producing a body of work within a critically reflective frame of enquiry with the intention of extending and innovating an area of design practice.

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).

The final submission for a doctoral award in Design will normally entail a combined submission of:

A body of practical work

A written text of 20,000 to 40,000 words.

The PhD programme at NCAD involves 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.

The NCAD's training, supervision and support processes for PhD candidates include:

Access to international PhD networks and exchange programmes

Opportunities to take taught postgraduate projects and workshops which serve your research needs

Supervised access to internal and, where appropriate, external experts in the relevant field

Support to participate in national PhD conferences in art and design

Public symposia and conferences in PhD research areas

Cross-institutional collaboration involving multidisciplinary research teams

Training in appropriate research methods.

Applicants for a PhD through Practice in Design are encouraged to identify members of college staff they would wish to work with as supervisor(s) to offer guidance in developing their research proposal.

Educational Standard

A candidate seeking admission to a course of study and research leading to a PhD must fulfil one of the following criteria:

a) A minimum of an upper second class degree or equivalent in a relevant honours Bachelor's degree. The College will consider applications from holders of diplomas in art or design (minimum level upper second Class Honours or equivalent).

b) A relevant master's degree; or

c) The candidate has demonstrated other evidence of academic standing and/or relevant professional experience

Those applying on the basis of a) or c) above may be required to pass a qualifying examination appropriate to each case, before being admitted to doctoral degree studies. Participation in selected courses at NCAD, together with related written work, may be required.

The application process
NCAD operates an online application process which carries a fee of 55 Euro. NCAD graduates or those applying to more than one area should contact the Assistant Student Recruitment and Admissions Officer admissions@ncad.ie prior to completing an online application.

Prior to applying using the online system, applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposed research with the appropriate School.

An offer of a place to undertake research follows an interview.

NCAD operates a rolling closing date for applications to undertake a research degree (PhD and MLitt). Students can commence studies at the start of the autumn, spring or summer trimester. PhD Scholarships (see below) are typically awarded to allow an autumn start.

Students can be registered full time or part time.

The PhD through practice entails a practitioner producing a body of work within a critically reflective frame of enquiry with the intention of extending and innovating an area of design practice.

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).

The final submission for a doctoral award in Design will normally entail a combined submission of:

1.A body of practical work

2.A written text of 20,000 to 40,000 words.

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.

•The NCAD's training, supervision and support processes for PhD candidates include:

•Regular, dynamic student-led interdisciplinary PhD research seminars

•Access to international PhD networks and exchange programmes

•Supervised access to internal and external experts in the relevant field

•Annual national PhD conferences in art and design

•Public symposia and conferences in PhD research areas

•Cross-institutional collaboration involving multidisciplinary research teams

•Training in appropriate research methods.

Applicants for a PhD through Practice in Design are encouraged to identify members of college staff they would wish to work with as supervisor(s) to offer guidance in developing their research proposal.