Communication MPhil

Royal College of Art

The MPhil/PhD Communication at the RCA is grounded firmly in research theory and methods, while encouraging a high degree of creativity and experimentation. The programme welcomes projects that activate new kinds of knowledge formation, critically exploring, probing and creating ways to open dialogues on narratives and methods to positively change contemporary communication practices. Research spans a broad discipline: animation, experimental communication, sonic performance, media ecologies, intercultural communication, digital storytelling, immersive world‑building and more. The School values critical engagement, originality and proven skills in both practice and writing, and supports experimental research approaches. There is an ethical dimension to this research: students are encouraged to pursue inclusive, culturally informed and historically aware practices of communication.

More about RCA MPhil and PhD research degrees:

At the RCA, we offer both MPhil and PhD research degrees, which can be studied full-time or part-time (subject to approval) and undertaken by project or thesis modes. A research degree emphasises independence of learning and increased specialisation, requiring you to manage your own research project to investigate your topic in depth and produce new ideas, arguments, and solutions.

A PhD is awarded to students who produce a substantial piece of original research that contributes to the field, either as a thesis (60,000–80,000 words) or a project with a thesis (25,000–40,000 words). Full-time PhD registration is normally three years, with submission within four years; part-time is six to seven years. An MPhil is awarded for original research and submission of a thesis, normally two to three years full-time or four to six years part-time.

RCA research students undertake training both at a college-wide level and within their Schools/Centres, providing robust preparation for research progression and future careers. All students must attend Doctoral Training Weeks in September, February, and July, which include professional development, writing, publishing, achieving impact, and presenting research.

The RCA hosts a Research Biennale every alternate February to showcase research publicly and extend perceptions of art and design research. Students also undergo Annual Progress Reviews to receive formal feedback and a Confirmation Exam midway through PhD study to ascertain readiness for submission; those who do not meet requirements may be recommended to submit for MPhil.

The RCA community includes more than 250 PhD students across Schools and Centres such as Architecture, Arts & Humanities, Communication, Design, Computer Science Research Centre, Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Intelligent Mobility Design Centre, Material Futures Research Centre, and Robotics Laboratory. The College is ranked the most research-intensive university of art and design in the UK since 2014 and values the contributions of international students.