PhD Simulation and Visualisation

Programme Overview

The Glasgow School of Art has a distinctive specialist, practice-led research culture which is widely recognised internationally. The generation of new knowledge and understanding through creative practice, scholarship and criticism in Fine Art, Design, Craft, Architecture and related fields is central to the concept of research. Our researchers include internationally renowned artists, designers, architects, historians and critics.

The programme offers full or part-time study, with a degree gained after 3 years (full-time) or 5 years (part-time) of study. We offer opportunities for part-time and full-time programmes of research and welcome applications for either mode. MPhil or PhD programmes can be undertaken as practice-led projects which combine the submission of a written thesis with objects, artworks, exhibitions, performances, artefacts etc. which represent practice-led research (MPhil / PhD by Research Project) or by written thesis only (MPhil / PhD by Thesis). Applications are considered on the strength, originality and rigor of the proposal, the ‘institutional fit’ between your proposed project and GSA’s areas of expertise and on our capacity to provide appropriate supervision.

The PhD community at GSA rearticulates processes and practices in relation to an ever-expanding corpus of creative forms and fields. We are an intellectually vibrant and supportive research environment where creative practice is nurtured and valued. Collaboration, experimentation, impact and knowledge exchange are central to our intellectually ambitious vision. We lead scholarly inquiry into creative practice and practice-led research in relation to the full range of academic disciplines and professional contexts available within one of the world’s top ten specialist art schools.

PhD supervision is arranged within and across our five schools: Fine Art; Design; Innovation; Simulation and Visualisation; and the Mackintosh School of Architecture. Our PhD candidates are supported by bespoke supervisory arrangements made across these disciplines, fields and research groups.

Assessment

Students are able to choose, according to their individual programme of research, a mode of submission that best articulates their original contribution to knowledge. This may include a wide range of visual and textual elements, which may be in physical and/or digital formats.

Completion of the PhD programme normally takes a minimum of three years' full-time, or five years' part-time study.

For PhD, successful applicants also usually hold a Masters degree and/or relevant professional experience in the field or discipline of their proposed PhD.