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Overview
Tackling real-world issues
The School of Arts and Creative industries is an ideal place to undertake PhD research. You will join a small, vibrant and diverse group of PhD students and will be supervised by academics of international standing. Our doctoral students often work together organising conferences, assisting academics in editing academic journals and publications and leading research-related events and symposia.
Our applied research tackles real-world issues and encompasses a wide variety of methodologies and approaches, including practice-based research, empirical work on audiences and cultural institutions, as well as theory-driven analysis. We offer supervision in a variety of fields and we welcome diverse projects. 80% of our research was awarded 3* out of 4* for impact – ‘very considerable impacts in terms of their reach and significance’ – by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.
There are two Research Centres in the department reflecting distinct areas of specialism – Centre for the Study of Networked Image and Creative Technologies Research Centre. Our academic members of staff are active researchers, working at the cutting edge of research in many different aspects of performance and theatre, curation, museum studies, cultural policy, networked cultures, photography, film and journalism.
Why research at LSBU?
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- We offer PhD supervision in a range of subject areas, methodological approaches and theoretical approaches, including practice-based research.
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- Take full advantage of the proximity to London's cultural quarter by attending professional workshops, gaining temporary employment and participating in research events.
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- Elephant Studios: multi-million pound studio facilities at the forefront of digital technologies and multimedia practice for creative students.
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- Hone your networking skills and boost your employability by attending guest lectures and participating in live briefs and collaborations with industry professionals.
Areas of PhD research
We offer PhD supervision in a range of subject areas, methodological approaches and theoretical approaches, including practice-based research.
We welcome proposals in all areas of research relevant to the School, but are particularly interested in applications which relate to one or more of the following:
- online network cultures and the networked image
- art and technology
- cultural policy
- museum studies
- performance and borders
- performance and digital technologies
- institutional and educational evaluation
- digital storytelling (including digital journalism)
- sonic culture
- audience research
- production research (including games and VR/AR/MR)
Research environment and your life in the School
Research students benefit from engaging with highly qualified academic staff and become a vital part of our dynamic research culture. If you choose to study with us, you'll find our School a positive and creative place to research, discuss, create and reflect. See what our PhD student Lozana Rossenova says about her experience here.
The Borough Road building is the home of our School and the hub of our activities. It's a bright, open and flexible collection of spaces reflecting how we explore film, theatre and media. You'll study alongside a community of experts, who are active in academic research and cutting-edge practice.
- The Edric Theatre is a dedicated performance and rehearsal space with a 90-seat capacity, plus a 30-seat studio and backstage facilities.
- Elephant Studios: Multi-million pound studio facilities at the forefront of digital technologies and multimedia practice for creative students.
- Use the latest HD and Ultra HD camera technologies, both 4K and 2.5K.
- Use cutting edge editing softwares and video mapping technologies.
How do we support you?
You'll receive support from our School and the Doctoral Academy, which is the LSBU's hub for all doctoral activity. The Doctoral Academy provides training, facilities and support services to enable you to perform at your best during your studies. All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in research methods is available through a bi-monthly module run by The School of Arts and Creative Industries. See how we support our students in partnership PhD context in this case study of Carolyn Defrin.
Presenting your work
Over the course of your PhD you will have the opportunity to share your work and network with other researchers, speak at conferences and workshops and visit or host researchers from elsewhere. We allocate a research fund to each of our PhD researchers to help with travel and accommodation costs.
Our School holds an annual summer school, run by the Centre for the Study of the Networked Image and regular PhD seminars, which give you the opportunity to present your work in a supportive atmosphere and discuss shared readings.
| ModeFull-time | Duration3 years | Start dateJanuary; April; September | Application code9003 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| ModePart-time | Duration5 years | Start dateJanuary; April; September | Application code9023 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| ModeDistance learning | Duration6 years | Start dateJanuary; April; September | Application code9055 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Applicants for a Research Degree programme at LSBU are usually expected to have:
- a good honours degree (2:2 and above) and a relevant postgraduate qualification, preferably a merit at Master's level.
- two academic references
- proof of all of your qualifications.
- PhD proposal (see instructions here – I will provide the document)
- if English is not your first language you will be required to prove your competency in English, showing an IELTS score of at least 7.0 at postgraduate level.
You will be required to attend an interview with your potential supervisor, in person or by telephone, prior to an offer being made.
Choose your country
Select country here:
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
United Kingdom
£4820
Tuition fees for home students
International
£16900
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.
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Part-time
part-time
PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 1PS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 1
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 1DS00 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 1PS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 1PS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 1
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 1DS10 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 1
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 1DS20 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 2PS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 2
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 2DS00 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 2PS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 2PS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 2
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 2DS10 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 2
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 2DS20 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 3
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 3PS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 3
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 3DS00 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 3
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 3PS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 3
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 3PS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 3
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 3DS10 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 3
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 3DS20 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 4
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 4PS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 4
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 4DS00 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 4
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 4PS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 4
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 4PS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 4
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 4DS10 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 4
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 4DS20 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 5
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 5PS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 5
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 5DS00 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 5
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 5PS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 5
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: 5PS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 5
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 5DS10 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 5
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: 5DS20 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 6
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: WUS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 6
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: WUS00 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 6
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: WUS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (PT) - Year 6
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9023 Session code: WUS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 6
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: WUS10 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (DL) - Year 6
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9055 Session code: WUS20 Total course fee: UK: £25290 International: £25290 -
Full-time
full-time
PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: 1FS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: 1FS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: 1FS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: 2FS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: 2FS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: 2FS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: 3FS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: 3FS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: 3FS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 4
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: WUS00 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 4
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: WUS10 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Arts & Creative Industries (FT) - Year 4
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9003 Session code: WUS20 Total course fee: UK: £15650 International: £51890
The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.
At the London Doctoral Academy we are committed to supporting and developing professional researchers who are driven to make a difference. We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations - and when they're available we'll publish notices on the London Doctoral Academy site.
Home
| Mode Full-time | Duration 3 years | Start date January; April; September | Application code 9003 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| Mode Part-time | Duration 5 years | Start date January; April; September | Application code 9023 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| Mode Distance learning | Duration 6 years | Start date January; April; September | Application code 9055 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Home/EU postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system.
Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.
International applicants should use our international application system. Full details can be found on our How to apply section for international students.
See our admissions policy (PDF File 1,043 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 516 KB).
Considering your application
Your application will be circulated to a number of potential supervisors who will look at your academic qualifications, experience and the research proposal to decide whether your research interest is something that could be supervised at LSBU.
There will also be an interview either by telephone or at the University. If you are successful you will be offered a place on a course and informed of the next enrolment date. The whole process normally takes between six to eight weeks, from receipt of your application to a decision being made about your application at the School.
Research proposal
When applying, please attach an outline of your research proposal (approximately 1,500 words).
Prepare to start
We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. Please contact PG Research patrick.tarrant@lsbu.ac.uk for a detailed reading list.
Enrolment
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.
Careers
Employability Service
We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
Transferable skills
A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking, and the ability to turn criticism of others work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, a new idea, or a new way of looking at something can be highly rewarding.
What kind of career paths are available to our students?
Many of our successful doctoral students have been appointed to full time lecturing posts both in the UK and internationally. We are also proud that many of our PhD students choose a career in the public sector and industry, working as curators or leading educational departments in major cultural organisations. Read about our alumni Zeta and her work in the industry here.