Our PhD course will allow you to become an expert in a specialist area and gain high-quality research training in Design. Your PhD can be taken full-time (three years standard, four years maximum) or part-time (five years standard, seven years maximum). We also offer a PhD by Distance Learning. Your research will be guided by supervisors with whom you'll have regular meetings throughout your PhD. Your supervisors will help you put in place an initial plan, provide guidance on your progress, discuss your findings, and set out your plans for the next stage of research. During your first year you'll work on a plan for your PhD project as well as a bibliography and will also develop a detailed research proposal with a literature review. This work will be submitted to a panel of examiners who will assess it and provide you with feedback and advice on the progress of your research to help ensure you are fully prepared for the next stage of your doctoral degree. The further years are mostly spent focus on writing your thesis which is examined by two academics (one external to the University). You'll discuss and defend your findings in a formal oral examination called a viva which is a way to further expand on your research and demonstrate your expertise in your chosen area of study.<br><br>This research theme brings critical and aesthetic enquiry into dialogue and central to this is the way that creative practice not only informs critical analysis, but also is a critical tool in itself. There are many examples of, and opportunities for inter-related creative and critical activities. This expanded understanding of research incorporates sculpture, painting, photography, sound, film, artist books, video, print, graphics and textiles in relation to critical analysis. Collaboration is a strength of this group and the School of Design provides a lively environment in which to develop vibrant cross-disciplinary work, this includes between the arts: visual art with music and poetry, image with text but also Art/Science collaborations. As well as the more traditional academic formats such as roundtables, discussions, workshops, colloquia, presentations, reading groups and symposia this group favours experimental modes of presentation and creative modes of exchange and dissemination: these include performances, exhibitions and ‘expositia,' always accompanied by academic reflection. In this regard there is the opportunity to work in collaboration with three faculty-wide institutes: