Communication PhD

Royal College of Art

The Communication MPhil/PhD at the RCA supports research grounded in theory and methods while encouraging creativity, experimentation and new forms of knowledge production. The programme welcomes projects that critically explore narratives, technologies, practices and methods of communication, creating new ways to engage with contemporary social, cultural and political contexts. Research spans areas including animation, experimental communication, sonic and audiovisual practice, media ecologies, intercultural communication, digital storytelling, immersive and virtual environments, and emerging forms of communication. You will develop an original research project through critical engagement with theory and practice, supported by a research community that values experimentation, interdisciplinarity and diverse approaches to communication. The programme also encourages inclusive, culturally informed and historically aware practices that consider the ethical and social dimensions of communication.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.