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Preparing for a Practice-based PhD in Fine Art, Design, and Film

Expand your knowledge of practice-based research and PhDs in the arts, and make an informed decision in pursuing your doctorate.

1,486 enrolled on this course

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Preparing for a Practice-based PhD in Fine Art, Design, and Film

1,486 enrolled on this course

  • 6 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Advanced level

Find out more about how to join this course

Understand what it means to do a PhD in fine art, design, or film

Undertaking a PhD in the arts is significantly different from the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study. While pursuing a PhD in the arts can be an exciting journey, graduates often lack awareness of what this entails.

This six-week course from the Lucerne School of Art and Design will break down practice-based research and key topics in the research process to help you understand what it means to develop and execute a PhD in film, arts, and design.

Prepare for the transition from an MA to a doctoral research degree

There is a sizable gap between how a Master’s degree equips graduates and the requirements for entering a PhD. Practitioners in fine art, design or film are very often poorly prepared for pursuing a research degree or lack a clear idea of what is expected from them.

The experts on this course will help you understand the full scope and expectations associated with a doctorate, and prepare you with detailed information about specific steps to pursue a PhD.

Experience PhD projects by contemporary designers, artists and filmmakers

On this course, you’ll review several highly interesting examples of PhDs done by practitioners of the arts.

Through the exploration of these projects, you’ll gain insight, experience, and inspiration from the work of fellow artists, designers, and filmmakers.

Make an informed decision supported by the expertise of your educators

The Lucerne School of Art and Design is experienced in guiding designers, artists, and film makers to realise and develop their professional futures, and the lead educators on this course are two of the most experienced persons in this field.

With the support of your educators and arts practitioners, you’ll be well-equipped with the knowledge you need to make a decision on pursuing your PhD.

What topics will you cover?

It is an exciting journey, introducing the learners to the concept and the practice of undergoing PhD research in fine art, design and film, including several highly interesting examples of PhDs done by contemporary designers, artists and filmmakers. The course is organized along the following key topics: Research question, Process, Methods, Infrastructures and Publication.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Discuss what a practice-based PhD entails and how creative practice can produce relevant knowledge for the arts.
  • Identify how to define your research interest and how to develop a relevant research question.
  • Explore the actual process of a PhD, the challenges it imposes and how a permanent writing practice can support your research.
  • Compare various methods and approaches towards producing new knowledge, from quantitative to qualitative methods and from hermeneutics to creative practice.
  • Evaluate the infrastructure and support networks for practice-based PhDs, starting with the search for a supervisor and ending with the requirements of the final examination.
  • Reflect what you have learned from this course and build up your research journal as valuable resource for your further studies. Now you will be well prepared for your journey towards a PhD.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for artists, designers, and filmmakers considering a practice-based PhD and practice-based research in a creative field. It will also be suitable for those interested in learning more about creative doctorates and practice-based research.

Who will you learn with?

Rachel Mader is an art researcher. Since 2012 she has directed the competence centre Art, Design & Public Spheres at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Art

Axel Vogelsang is Professor and Head of the Research Centre for Visual Narrative at the Lucerne School of Art & Design. His is interested in the use of digital media in cultural institutions.

Who developed the course?

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts

The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts considers itself to be a place for people who help to shape the future and who approach the new and the unknown with an open mind. The range of programmes encompasses a total of 19 Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in the areas of Design, Film and Fine Arts.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 30 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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