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Art and Design (Full-time) (ProfDoc)

Swansea
3 Years Full-time

The Professional Doctorate in Art and Design is designed to create a deep understanding of you and your place and perception of the world of Art and Design in all of its forms and representation.

To this end you need to have some basic experience working in the industry â€” we look for 2 to 5 years as being a good starting point.

You need this time to give you the basis for reflection. We ask you to reflect on certain areas of your life so far, areas such as how do you learn? What do you think constitutes knowledge?

We also give you the opportunity to try a range of different qualitative research methodology to find the best fit. 

This Professional Doctorate is designed to help you make use of all you have learned in life up to this point. It helps you reflect on the past experiences professional and personal.

We take a very global view of design and so are equally happy for areas of design from China and South East Asia, India and South America to be the subject of your reflection and your research. 

We are passionate about how you can reimagine how communication, media, art and design works within your professional practice.

Course details

Start date:
Study modes:
  • On-campus
  • Full-time
Language:
  • English
Course length:
3 Years Full-time

Why choose this course?

01
This course challenges and develops you to become the next leader in your chosen art, design, and creative industries practices.
02
From your first year you will create conference papers, journal articles, and an exhibition.
03
In your final year you will exhibit work in London and another European city.

What you will learn

During the taught part (Part 1, Year 1) of the programme, a student studies six modules.

All modules are worth 30 credits (180 credits in total) and are assessed through coursework assignments.

Part 2 of the programme (worth 360 credits) is a period of supervised advanced research (Years 2 and 3) leading to the submission of a research portfolio, including a research dissertation of 60,000 words, at the end of Year 3.

Compulsory

Work-based Research Project

(360 credits)

Approaches to Art & Design Research and Academic Communication

(30 credits)

Art & Design Practitioner Research Proposal

(30 credits)

Qualitative Research Methods within the Creative Industries

(30 credits)

Professional Discourses

(30 credits)

Optional

Review of Professional Learning within Art and Design

(30 credits)

Art & Design Work-based Learning Project

(30 credits)

Confirmative Praxis

(60 credits)

Disclaimer

  • We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals. 

    For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.

Ratings and Rankings

Staff

Our People

You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses. 

Accommodation

Further information

  • The normal minimum entry requirement for applicants for the degree of Professional Doctorate is:

    An upper second class honours degree
    or
    A Master’s degree, relevant to the proposed programme (awarded by a UK or other recognised University or higher education institution or by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA)).

    At least two years of recent and relevant work experience are desirable. Every application will be assessed on its own merits.

  • All modules are assessed through a variety of coursework assignments which may include essays, presentations, textual analysis and exercises, book reviews, case studies and other assignments.

  • Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.

    However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining in optional study trips, and printing. 

    Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment with them when they commence the course. We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your programme of studies and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.

    A basic ‘art and design kit’ will cost approximately £100 but you may well already have much of the equipment required so check with us first. Also, although we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and MAC) for you to undertake your coursework you may wish to bring your own digital devices, again check with us first before making a purchase.

  • You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

  • This concern with key aspects of professional practice reinforces the fact that the aim of the programme is to develop highly skilled educational practitioners who also have the knowledge, analytical and research skills of successful Doctorate graduates.

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