Postgraduate Study
We offer Masters level (MPhil) and Doctoral level (PhD) research degrees, including PhD by Published Papers and Professional Doctorates. The MPhil is two years full time and the PhD three years full time. It is possible to study on either programme full-time, part-time (for UK and EU students) and in exceptional circumstances by distance learning. These modes of study lead to differences in the level of fees, period of registration, frequency of contact with supervisors and length of time required on site.
The glass and ceramics PhD or MPhil is normally awarded for individual research that makes a novel contribution to knowledge. Whilst there are no taught course modules, there are training courses designed to develop your skills in defining and executing a research programme. There are typically four phases to a research programme:
- The definition of the research problem to solve and the schedule for the work
- Undertake a review of related literature and creative practice culminating in a detailed specification of the approach/methodology/technique to be developed
- The development of the review into a body of artworks
- A written thesis and oral examination
Areas of interest
Examples of current research in progress or under-consideration:
- Drawing and Glass
- Hot Glass and Print
- Surface coatings on Glass
- Development of new ceramic glazes
- Ceramics and tourism
- Internet collaboration and stained glass
- Impact of water-jet cutting on creative practice
- New approaches to firing ceramics
In all cases there is a practice-based element. This means that your artistic practice forms part of the research methodology. Therefore, the final submission will consist of a body of artwork with a supporting written thesis. Several of our current projects contain an aspect of materials technology and aim to provide new methods of working that can be used by other artists. We also welcome proposals for historical or theoretical projects. Applications relating to any aspect of glass and ceramics will be considered including those with an inter-disciplinary element.
Both MPhil and PhD programmes are managed in a similar manner with students being assigned a supervisory team, consisting of a Director of Studies who provides the main academic guidance and a Co-supervisor to offer additional expertise and backup. Distance learning students will also be assigned a local supervisor for the day-to-day project management of their work - with academic input coming from Sunderland supervisors.
You will be expected to follow a graduate research support training programme, as well as that offered by the Faculty and department. You will undergo an annual progress review, which will offer constructive advice for the further development of your work. You will work alongside other post-graduate students, which will not only provide a sense of community but also a focus for seminars, conferences and personal/ professional development work.
From the outset it is essential to have a clear idea of the research problem or question to tackle. The research problem or question should be set within a clear context. It is this research problem or question, which we require you to define when applying, in your "research proposal".
Applications Process
We welcome enquiries from UK, EU and International students who would like to pursue research in glass and ceramics. Our entry requirements are that an applicant would normally:
- Hold a good undergraduate degree
- If the first-language is not English, students must have attained at least IELTS (International English Language Testing Scheme) level 6 or gained a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) score of 550/213 (or equivalent).
Interested applicants should complete and send the following to Professor Kevin Petrie at The Glass and Ceramics Department, University of Sunderland, National Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 OGL:
- An application form [link to http://www.grs.sund.ac.uk/grsstudent/prospective.cfm] or a full CV with full contact details for two referees and copies of all certificates (scanned, copied or faxed)
- If we consider the project to be viable we are likely to work with you on developing your proposal prior to an interview (it is not always necessary for international students to attend an interview). If successful we shall then process the application and notify you of fees, your start date and supervisory team.
The exact level of fees depends on the mode of study (full/part time, in Sunderland or at a distance). If you would like to discuss your project you can contact Professor Kevin Petrie on +44 191 515 3610.
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