Design PhD

Program Overview

The PhD in Design MPhil, PhD, and PhD by Published Works at the University of Northampton equips students with advanced design knowledge and research abilities. It allows them to pursue a research topic and create a significant piece of work, providing a foundation for further research or careers in design, academia, or business management. The program features supervision by expert tutors, a diverse range of research topics, and strong industry connections.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

A PhD is the highest academic credential that a student may pursue and provides a fantastic opportunity to advance into higher managerial positions within the sector. If you have a degree in design, arts and humanities, or a related field, such as architecture, engineering, entrepreneurship, or marketing, our Design MPhil, PhD, and PhD by Published Works programme is an ideal way to broaden your design knowledge and research abilities. This programme permits you to investigate and develop a research topic centered on a large piece of work that must provide evidence of unique contribution to knowledge. Completing a PhD may provide you with a fantastic sense of personal accomplishment as well as help you gain a high degree of transferrable abilities that will be beneficial in the future. Our research degrees are available in full-time, part-time, and off-site study formats (subject to approval). You must adhere to an authorised work schedule, which may include conferences, seminars, masterclasses, guided reading, or a mix of study approaches. This research programme concludes with the creation of a large-scale piece of written work in the form of a research thesis. You will be assigned a primary supervisor who will be part of a supervisory team of up to three people who will advise and support you on your project.

Teaching:

While developing and setting up a research project, you will initially receive general, discipline based and project specific training so that you can go on to conduct your research work effectively and independently. As a research student in the Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology at the University of Northampton, you may be designing an innovative object or system. The Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, is home to internationally significant research, including practice – based. The teaching and research areas of the faculty include Industrial & Product Design, Sustainable Settlement, Material Innovation, User Centred Design, Building Performance and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and many more, these represent a wide range of approaches to design research. Throughout your project, you will be supervised by tutors who are experts in their fields of study, have experience overseeing PhD level projects, and will advise you on what extra tasks you need to do to meet your objectives. Your supervisors will walk you through the procedure on a regular basis, either in person or online.

Careers:

After completing this course, you will be able to seek research and development positions in sectors connected to your topic, such as the design industry, advance into an academic career, or enter business at a managerial level.

Other:

Research expertise covering British and Global Design from the 3rd industrial revolution to the present information age and current developments, including user experience (UI/UX), internet of things (IOT) and sustainable development goals (SDG) Research topics range from those which are strongly user-focused to those which are more experimental. We particularly encourage application in areas including: Industrial & Product Design Design Management Design Pedagogy Material Innovation Prototyping Systems User Centred Design Circular Economy Sustainable Architecture & Buildings Design Productivity and Cognitive Performance of Occupants in the Built Environment Building Performance & Energy Efficiency in Buildings Low Carbon Buildings (earthen architecture & sustainable housing) Vernacular Architecture and Conservation Sustainable Settlement (architecture and migration, informal settlements, climate resilient communities) Strong links with industry and a range of local and national organisations Study in a support environment with staff who want to see you succeed. Regular research seminars, conferences and activities led by the Centre for Sustainable Futures and Art and Design Research Centre; access to the Osbourne Robinson Poster Collection; specialist training in areas such as teaching in Higher Education and how to get your work published.

Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil) UK – Full Time: £5,500 UK – Part Time: £2,775 International – Full Time: £15,950 International – Part Time: £7,450 Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by Means of Published Works UK – Part Time: £3,500 International – Part Time: £7,650