Outline

Postgraduate research in the School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art is internationally renowned, interdisciplinary and publicly engaged. Our research creates, embodies and responds to new registers of contemporary art and culture, whilst rearticulating processes and practices associated with established artistic media.  

We are an intellectually vibrant, ambitious and supportive community where research produced by staff and students – both individually and collectively – is disseminated nationally and internationally. Collaboration, experimentation and outward facing distributive actions are central to this; we understand our research to constitute cultural impact within and beyond the University. We lead scholarly inquiry into artistic practice in relation to the full range of academic disciplines and professional contexts available within one of the world’s leading research universities.  

Our MPhil and PhD candidates are supported by bespoke supervisory arrangements made across the University of Edinburgh and supported by training run by the Institute of Academic Development. Our membership of the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities allows us to arrange cross-institutional supervision with our partners in the consortium, ensuring expert supervision and guidance for interdisciplinary projects.  

To identify potential supervisors in the School of Art staff please go to research profiles here https://www.eca.ed.ac.uk/people 

Careers

Graduates with a MPhil or PhD in Art have career opportunities as academics concentrating on teaching and research, or research-only roles. They are also equipped for research and other roles within the industry, depending on the focus of their research, and how effectively they have taken advantage of the several non-academic links offered by the University with non-academic institutions, such as galleries, museums, and private companies. 

How to apply and entrance requirements

We operate a gathered field approach to PhD/MPhil applications, followed by an interview process for shortlisted applications.

If you'd like to study on a postgraduate programme at Edinburgh College of Art, you must apply through EUCLID, the University's online application system. You can find out how to do this on the University of Edinburgh website, where you'll also be able to:

  • see detailed entrance requirements for each programme on the Degree Finder
  • get information on what to expect after you apply
  • find out about study modes, start dates and fees
  • find out if, and how, you need to submit a portfolio, showreel or research proposal
  • find out where to go for further advice and guidance

Take me to the University of Edinburgh website on how to apply for postgraduate study

Preparing your application

Common to all research programmes are a set of research aims, a research context, a research process and a research product/outcome. The research proposal should include reference to all of these elements. All applicants for postgraduate research programmes must submit a research proposal.

Portfolios or writing samples are also required for some research degrees.

View the Art guidelines (PDF)

People Directory | Edinburgh College of Art

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Staff

Dr Kristin Mojsiewicz

Lecturer in Art

Director of Postgraduate Research in Art

Email: k.mojsiewicz@ed.ac.uk

View profile

Facilities and resources

Collections

The extensive University of Edinburgh Collections are here to facilitate teaching and research around the University. The collections, which stretch over 60 kilometres of materials, relate to the history of the University, Scotland, and the wider world.

Libraries

Students at the University of Edinburgh have access to a range of library resources across the campus and online.

Painting studios

Overlooking Edinburgh Castle, our painting studios provide a bright and airy space for working in.

Sculpture Court

The neo-classical heart of our Main Building. Home to the Edinburgh Cast Collection and a spectacular environment for student exhibitions.

See all of the resources and facilities available to ECA students

Scholarships and bursaries

AHRC PhD Doctoral Studentships

  • Deadline: 1 December 2022
  • Value: PhD tuition fees and stipend at the UKRI level for 3.5 years
  • Eligibility: For research interests aligning with, or cutting across, ECA's Schools.

ECA PhD Scholarship

  • Deadline:
  • Value: Tuition fees plus stipend at the UKRI level for three years
  • Eligibility: Applications are invited from first year applicants for PhD research projects that take advantage of the leading research expertise across ECA. Home and Overseas applicants welcome. Funding for full-time and part-time study (pro rata) and PhD by Distance study.

College Research Award

  • Deadline:
  • Value: Tuition fees plus stipend at the UKRI level for three years
  • Eligibility: Applications are invited from first year applicants for PhD research projects that take advantage of the leading research expertise across ECA. Home and Overseas applicants welcome. Funding for full-time, part-time (pro rata) and PhD by Distance study.

Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship

  • Deadline:
  • Value: Covers the tuition fee plus stipend equal to UKRI minimum rate for the relevant academic year (approximately £17,668 per year)
  • Eligibility: Open to UK and overseas students applying to start their first year of study for an on campus research degree in 2023-2024.

Carnegie PhD Scholarships

  • Deadline: 24 January 2023
  • Value: Covers tuition fees, a maintenance allowance and a research expenses allowance.
  • Eligibility: For graduates of an eligible Scottish university with a first-class honours degree, or final year students of an undergraduate degree at an eligible Scottish University expected to obtain a first-class honours.
See all of our scholarships and bursaries

Visit us

Join ECA at the University-wide postgraduate Open Days

Contact

Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Admissions

Email: ecaresearchdegrees@ed.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)131 650 4086