The aim of the PhD in Studio Art is the generation of a contribution to knowledge and understanding in Fine Art by means of a programme of enquiry conducted through studio research as well as other research methods as appropriate. The PhD is a single research project. It encompasses training in how to conduct research through arts practice and prepares you to carry out additional research projects upon its completion.

The aim of the PhD is to make an original contribution to knowledge. On completion of the research programme and in relation to their research, PhD candidates should show evidence of being able to:

• Discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge and understanding through original research and/or scholarship of publishable quality which satisfies peer review;
• Present and defend research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or relevant area of professional practice;
• Demonstrate a systematic and extensive knowledge of the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills;
• Take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and developing professional relationships with others where appropriate;
• Independently and proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and to design, develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these;
• Critically and creatively evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline.

The PhD in Studio Art may be taken as a Full-Time Programme or Part-Time Programme:

Full-Time Programmes (4 Years). A Full Time PhD is taken at Burren College of Art, with each student having their own dedicated studio space at the college and use of other college facilities including the library and labs for 12 months each year. Students also have use of the University of Galway library and student facilities;

Part-Time Programmes (6 years). A Part Time PhD student is required to have their own studio space away from BCA and to attend BCA for some supervision sessions and group events. Supervision also takes place online;

During the programme, students receive training in studio and other research methods and complete a research project based on a key research question. Students are expected to:

• Identify a field of study and a research question within it, which they will research;
• Pursue a defined key research question through studio research;
• Investigate cognate studio research undertaken by others internationally;
• Explore the theoretical and historical dimensions of the enquiry through scholarship;
• Collaborate with others, as appropriate, to extend the range of the enquiry;
• Produce a body of work that embodies or represents a new contribution to understanding, in response to the key research question;
• Write an account of the contribution to understanding that includes a reflective analysis of the theoretical and historical context of the research, and a critical review of the process of the research, together with a brief summary of the project and its outcomes;
• Successfully defend the outcomes of the research in a viva voce examination.

The frequency of supervision meetings with supervisors will normally be as follows:

Full Time Students

Meetings with the primary supervisor take place bi-weekly in semester time and monthly in the summer for Full-Time students in Year 1. For years 2 – 4 meetings with the primary supervisor take place monthly. Meetings with internal co-supervisors take place once per month in semester time, with one additional meeting during the summer. Meetings with external supervisors take place once per semester. 

No meetings take place in August (summer breaks can also take place by agreement between the student and their supervisor).

Part Time Students

Meetings with the primary supervisor take place monthly throughout the academic year and the summer. Meetings with internal co-supervisors take place bi-monthly throughout the full calendar year. Meetings with external supervisors take place once per semester. 

No meetings take place in August (summer breaks can also take place by agreement between the student and their supervisor).

Other Meeting Requirements

Students meet with their supervisors as a group at least once per year to review progress and to discuss Graduate Research Committee (GRC) recommendations. Meetings for Full-Time students will be in person at Burren College of Art. Those for Part-Time students will either be in person at Burren College of Art or online, supported by email communication.

Each student meets with a Graduate Research Committee (GRC) that does not include their supervisors once a year to monitor progress and to report to the university accordingly.  These meetings take place at Burren College of Art or online, as need be.

Supervisors have discretion to vary the frequency of all meetings as appropriate.

There are two types of assessment: annually by the Graduate Research Committee to determine eligibility for progression; and the final examination at the end of the programme of research by at least one External and one Internal Examiner, to examine the outcome of the project.

The final examination comprises:

• the submission of a body of work that embodies the contribution to knowledge and understanding, normally by exhibition;
• a written reflective analysis of the theoretical and historical context of the research subject to a maximum word count of 20,000 words and a minimum of 10,000 words;
• a written critical review of the process of the research subject to a maximum word count of 20,000 words and a minimum of 10,000 words;
• a 500 word summary of the contribution to knowledge and understanding together with documentation of the work;
• a viva voce examination.

All elements of the examination must be passed. The submission is examined with reference to the initial aims of the research project.