PHD in Studio Art

What is the difference between the MFA and the PhD?

Both degrees are postgraduate. The main differences are that the MFA is a taught degree and the PhD is a research degree which is at a higher academic level.  The MFA is a National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 9 degree, and the PhD Level 10. A taught degree provides a curriculum to a group of students, and for the MFA this is a combination of studio practice and critique, engagement with the history and theory of art, and engagement with professional skills.

As a traditional research degree the PhD in Studio Art does not have a set curriculum or a formula for the proportions of elements that a student may address. Instead it is a project enquiring into a different topic or research question for each student. The supervisor’s discretion is more important in a PhD than a teacher’s discretion in an MFA, so as to enable flexible responses to the circumstances of a programme of enquiry that emerge and change as the enquiry progresses. The academic level of the PhD is the generation of knowledge and understanding in studio that makes a significant contribution to knowledge and understanding in the judgement of one or more external experts serving as an examiner(s).

Does Burren College of Art offer a Low Residency PhD?

A low residency programme normally offers a PhD within the timescale of a Full-Time programme, with less than Full-Time attendance, but supported by intensive distance learning and online methods in compensation for the reduced attendance that together amount to the same effort as that required in Full-Time attendance. We are not in a position to offer that intensive distance learning process since our main strength is an immersive experience in a unique location.

Instead we offer a Part-Time option for the programme that enables intensive research programmes undertaken away from BCA for much of the time and enhanced by short, intensive periods of in-person research at BCA as is feasible and credible.

Where can I find out more about PhDs in Studio Art?

It is important that anyone intending to apply to the BCA should read the following texts that provide a sound introduction to PhDs in Studio Art.

  • University Guidelines for Research Degree Programmes, Graduate Studies Office, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
  • James Elkins (Ed), Artists With PhDs, on the new doctoral degree in studio art, New Academia Publishing, LLC, 2009. Second edition forthcoming 2014.
  • Jane Matthiesen and Mario Binder, How To Survive Your Doctorate, Open University Press, McGraw Hill, 2009

What is the difference between “maximum,” and “minimum” periods of study, and what should a student plan for?

A supervisor should agree to a student completing their project only once the research question has been satisfactorily answered and the outcomes demonstrated and presented satisfactorily within the university’s research guidelines. The determining factor for completion of a PhD is the satisfactory completion of the project. Completion may not take place in less than the minimum period of study. Any extension to the maximum study period must be agreed with the university. Therefore, a student should plan to complete within the normal period. Exceptionally completion may take less than the normal period.  It is significant that a supervisor will not agree to a project going forward for examination until he/she approves it for examination. In this respect a PhD differs from a taught course that may be examined on the basis of the satisfactory completion of the component parts of the programme within a fixed period of time.

Does BCA offer Teaching Assistantships?

Given the small scale of the College and the absence of offering a full undergraduate degree programme, we are not in a position to offer TA positions for PhDs.

Aren’t BCA PhD students a bit isolated?

Burren College of Art is a small artistic and educational community that is connected internationally and PhD students are full members of this community, benefitting from and contributing to the community ethos. The college is remote rather than isolated.  It is in the nature of PhD research that high levels of independence and resourcefulness are required beyond those associated with Masters level programmes. However, this should not amount to isolation since deep engagement with the field of enquiry involving good networking abilities, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally is encouraged. PhD students are expected to seek out and attend relevant symposia, conferences and other research fora as well as to explore exhibition opportunities.

 

Logistical FAQs

As you are preparing to join us for the PhD in Studio Art, we will aim to give you as much information as possible regarding the logistics of coming to conduct research in rural Ireland and what to expect from the program.

Students will receive a Student Handbook prior to arrival, which contains information about immigration information for international (non-EU) students, travel options to and from the Burren, what facilities and resources are available on campus and other information about services and resources in Ireland.

You will also be receiving an Academic Handbook which will provide information about the course as well as assessment information.

To get you started, here are some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

For additional questions, please contact our Director of Admissions, Lisa Newman at lisa@burrencollege.ie.

 

Where is Burren College of Art located?

Our campus is located just outside of the small village of Ballyvaughan, in North Clare, on the south shore of Galway Bay.  The year-round population of the village is around 250, though it is also a big tourist destination during the Summer months, so the temporary population becomes quite large between May and September.  Ballyvaughan has very basic amenities, including a small market, post office, medical centre, church and a few cafes, restaurants and pubs.   

We do take students on regular shopping trips to larger towns and cities to be able to access a larger variety of shops and services, however, these are generally scheduled every two weeks or as needed. The majority of students order supplies online from Irish companies, and deliveries are usually sent within a day or two of ordering.

The majority of the area surrounding the College and the housing is farmland or national park, and the main road in and out of the village does not have sidewalks or streetlights.  We provide students with hi-visibility vests to wear on the road to ensure safety and being seen by cars.  The village is a 30 minute walk from the College campus.

 

 

Immigration and Visas

Do I need a visa to come to Ireland?

Students coming from the US, Canada, the EU and many other countries do not need an entry visa to come to Ireland, but will need a student visa after arriving.

If you are a citizen of any of the following countries listed HERE, you will need to first apply for an entry visa through your local Irish embassy before arriving in Ireland.

When you arrive at the airport, Passport Control will give you a tourist stamp in your passport, which allows you to be in the country for up to 90 days.  You will need to apply to get your Student Visa, which will allow you to be in the country for educational purposes for the duration of the academic year.  All new student visas are processed through a central immigration office in Dublin.  You will need to book your appointment for the visa as soon as possible after arriving in Ireland.  More information on the process can be found here: https://www.burrencollege.ie/immigration-information-for-international-students/  

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Up-to-date information on financial requirements can be found on the Irish Immigration website.

Can I bring my family with me?

Under current immigration rules, Full-Time PhD students who hold non-EU citizenship are able to bring their partners and families to Ireland, following certain conditions. More information can be found HERE on the Irish immigration website:

Will my student visa allow me to work?

For international (Non-EU) students, your student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year (September-April) and up to 40 hours per week during the Summer months and Winter break.  This can be any type of employment, and as we are located in a tourist economy, many of our students are able to find jobs in the hotels, pubs, cafes and shops in the local area.

Accommodation and Studios

What are my accommodation options?

On-Campus Housing

The Burren College of Art has three housing facilities: the Lodge and Bungalow (located within ten minutes walk from campus) and Newtown house (located right on campus).  We reserve a number of private rooms for postgraduate students in our Lodge and Bungalow accommodation.

What is provided in the housing?

All bedding is provided and all accommodation options have a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. Towels are not provided, so please bring your own.

 

 

Off-campus Housing

As we are located in a rural area, we are in contact with several landlords in the area who provide apartment and house options for students in the village of Ballyvaughan, or in nearby villages for students with cars or other transportation.  Once you have been accepted to a postgraduate degree, we will provide a list of contact details for landlords and housing options for you, at your request.

How do I get from my accommodation to the College?

The College campus is a 15 minute walk from the Lodge. For students living in accommodation in the village, we also provide a campus shuttle Monday to Friday at 9 am and again at 5 pm to bring you from the village to the College. Outside of these times, walking or biking will be your best option to get to and from the College and to explore the area.

For those interested in purchasing a car, a good website to get an idea of the cost of purchasing a vehicle can be found on www.donedeal.ie. You will also need to consider the cost of insurance, annual Road tax, and annual National Car Testing (NCT) for older cars.  These will vary depending on your driving history and the make and year of the car.

Will I have my own studio?

All postgraduate students have their own studio space within a shared building. You will have 24/7 access to your studio and several other facilities on campus.

Cost of Living

What is provided in the program and what should I plan for?

The tuition and fees cover the cost of the program itself, including supervisory tutorials and studio and lab use for Full Time students.  All other expenses are not covered in the tuition or fees and remain the responsibility of the student, including:

  • Accommodation
  • Travel to and from Ireland
  • Food and entertainment
  • Medical expenses and insurance
  • Art materials
  • (optional) car purchase, insurance, road tax, NCT and maintenance www.donedeal.ie
  • €300 Student Visa registration fees (non-EU students)

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2026/2027 Academic Year (Single student)

Full Time Tuition

International Students       €18,990 per year

EU Students                      €9,500 per year

Part Time Tuition

International Students       €8,065 per year

EU Students                      €3,595 per year

These fees include the provision of supervisors, external examiners (including inclusion of an external supervisor when appropriate) and a Graduate Research Committee, studio space for Full-Time students, use of College facilities including the library, labs and workshops, and final exhibition support and digital promotional material created by the College. The cost of art materials, books, external technical services, printed exhibition invitations and catalogue, travel and attendance at conferences will vary and are met by students.

Other Fees

  • Programme Fee €550 per year
  • Activity Fee €450 per year
  • Optional Faculty-led trip to London (Fall Semester) €720*
  • Optional Faculty-led trip to Barcelona (Spring Semester) €720*
  • Graduation Fee €100 final year

Additional Expenses

Accommodation:

Single room in campus housing: €6,600 total for academic year (September-April excluding Winter Holiday)

Off-campus housing: monthly rental varies from €550-€900+ per month for a private apartment or shared                                    house.

Food/Groceries: est. €3000 per academic year

Art Materials: (varies depending on media): est. €800 per academic year

Health Insurance: €800-€1000 per year, depending on servicer and plan

Entertainment / in-country travel: €700 per academic year

Travel to Ireland (varies depending on flight prices) €800-€1500

Misc: €700 per academic year

 

What is the optional Faculty-Led field trip?

In the Fall semester, we offer an optional Faculty-Led field trip to London, and to Barcelona in the Spring semester.  This is a 4-5 day field trip that gives you the opportunity to visit contemporary and historical art galleries and museums with our College faculty in one of the major art hubs in Europe.  Outside of the gallery and museums visits, you will have time to explore the city on your own or with other students.  The fee for each field trip is around €720, and includes your flights and accommodation for the duration of the trip.  Food and entertainment expenses are not included in the fee.

Please note that attending or not attending the optional field trip will not affect your academics, though it is an opportunity to experience other parts of Europe.

What about food and groceries?

We will take students on shopping trips throughout the semester, usually every two weeks, or as needed to larger towns and cities for grocery stockups at supermarkets and specialty shops. Ballyvaughan also has a smaller market open every day.

Groceries can also be ordered online for delivery from Tesco, SuperValu and Dunnes. There are also pubs and cafes in Ballyvaughan which serve food.

Our cafe on campus offers lunches at very reasonable prices and caters for most dietary requirements. The cafe is open on weekdays from 9 am – 2 pm.

Is there an art shop on campus or do I bring my own supplies?

Although we do have a very small art shop on campus, it only caters for very basic items, therefore we recommend that students either bring their own materials or order online from Irish suppliers such as Cork Art Supplies or Cregal Art, which usually deliver within a day or two. The best method is to self- address your order and have it shipped to:

Your name
Burren College of Art
Newtown Castle
Ballyvaughan
Co Clare
H91 H299

NOTE: If you are shipping personal belongings to yourself from outside of Ireland, please follow the instructions on the Revenue website HERE to avoid paying customs charges as a student.

For details on what equipment we have in our campus labs, please visit our Facilities Page HERE.

What clothes should I bring?

The weather in Ireland is very unpredictable even during the summer months and we recommend that you bring clothes for both warm and cool weather, but definitely pack a rainproof jacket, good hiking boots and comfortable clothes. As the program is based in the Burren, it is very likely that you will be walking through uneven, rugged terrain and it is important that you have appropriate footware and clothes. Sun cream and a flashlight are also essential.

More information on what to bring will be found in the Student Handbook, which you will receive once accepted to the program.

 

Student Support & Advisory Service

The Student Support & Advisory Service is here to help you have the best student experience possible! Our services are available to all students throughout the year, not just during term time, so feel free to reach out anytime. The sooner you get in touch, the quicker we can assist you.

We can help with all kind of queries, including accommodation, cost of living questions, logistical matters, navigating study challenges and dealing with exceptional life circumstances. Plus, we work closely with other student welfare services, like student counselling, to ensure you receive caring and comprehensive support.

If you’re unsure which support fits your needs, we invite you to drop by the Library to have any questions about student life answered. We are open Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.  We’re here for you!

Our Student Affairs Office is located in the Library, right in the centre of the campus and is open five days a week. Our Student Affairs Officer is your first stop when interacting with BCA support network. Trained in compassionate and effective communication,  she is ready to assist you with any questions you may have about student life. From day to day questions, logistics, bus schedules, trails to accessibility relating matters, the SAO will endeavor to help you find the best solution possible or direct you to the relevant staff or faculty member. 

Pop into the Library from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Don’t have time to drop in? You can email julia@burrencollege.ie or join our Discord server here.

  • What about Medical or Additional Counselling Services?

While we endeavor to support the needs of all our students, access to some resources may prove a little more difficult, given the rural, remote location and small size of the College. For any medical services, we can help you arrange an appointment at the Medical Centre in Ballyvaughan. In case of emergency, the closest hospital is in Galway, located at an hour driving distance by taxi or bus.

Our postgraduate students also have full access to the Student Service Centre from University of Galway, including the Student Health Unit, and Counselling Services.

Postgraduates are also eligible to join group plans for Health Insurance through the University.  You can find a selection of providers here on their website.