The Professional Doctorate in Art and Design is a practice-based programme for experienced professionals looking to explore their work in greater depth. It offers an opportunity to develop a deep understanding of Art and Design, your role within it, and how creative practice shapes the world.
Unlike a traditional Fine Art and Design PhD, this programme is designed for those with industry experience in Art and Design. We expect applicants to have between two and five years of professional practice before starting. This experience provides the foundation for reflection on learning and knowledge, helping you to understand how you work, what knowledge means in your field, and how research can transform creative practice.
Our approach is based on practice-based research, meaning that your work will be at the centre of your studies. Through creative practice research, you will explore new ideas, test different approaches, and refine your methods. You will also be introduced to qualitative research methodology, allowing you to find the best way to frame and communicate your ideas.
The programme is open to a wide range of disciplines, including graphic design and typography, digital and interactive design, fashion and textiles research, interior design and architecture, and exhibition-based research. It encourages interdisciplinary art and design research, supporting those working across multiple creative fields.
Flexibility is key, and we welcome students from around the world. With options for online and part-time doctoral study, this programme can be tailored to fit around your commitments. Whether you work in communication, media, art, and design, or fields such as healthcare, robotics, and AI in design, your research will contribute to new ideas and developments in the industry.
As part of the course, you will be part of research communities and forums, engaging with academics and practitioners who share your interests. This is an opportunity for professional and academic career development, helping you to advance your career in the creative industries or higher education.
We encourage research that takes a global perspective on design, welcoming studies that explore creative practice in different cultures, from China and South East Asia to India and South America.
Throughout your doctorate, you will be supported in reimagining art and design, challenging traditional ideas and pushing boundaries. If you are ready to shape the future of design and develop your creative practice at the highest level, this programme will provide the structure and support you need.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
The Professional Doctorate in Art and Design is designed for experienced professionals looking to develop their practice through practice-based research. Our approach combines structured academic study with independent research, supporting students in developing creative practice research skills. We encourage critical reflection, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a global perspective on design, ensuring that each student’s work contributes to innovation in their field.
In the first part, you will engage with key research methodologies and academic communication techniques, developing the skills needed for doctoral-level study. You will explore qualitative research methodology within the creative industries, refine your professional practice in design, and define your research focus through a structured proposal. Modules also encourage critical engagement with research communities and forums, ensuring that your work is informed by wider professional and academic debates.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(60 credits)
The second part is dedicated to an independent, work-based research project tailored to your professional interests. This 360-credit research project is at the heart of the doctorate, allowing you to apply your research to your chosen field, whether in graphic design and typography, digital and interactive design, fashion and textiles research, interior design and architecture, or other areas. You will receive expert supervision, developing an original contribution to interdisciplinary art and design research, leading to a final submission that includes both written and practical elements.
Compulsory
(360 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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The normal minimum entry requirement for applicants for the degree of Professional Doctorate is:
A 2:1 class honours degree
or
A Master’s degree, relevant to the proposed programme (awarded by a UK or other recognised University or higher education institution or by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA)).
and
At least two years of recent and relevant work experience are desirable. Every application will be assessed on its own merits.
Admissions Advice and Support
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa.
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.
For full information read our visa application and guides.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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All modules are assessed through a variety of coursework assignments which may include essays, presentations, textual analysis and exercises, book reviews, case studies and other assignments.
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Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch.
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.
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Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining in optional study trips, and printing.
Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment with them when they commence the course. We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your programme of studies and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.
A basic ‘art and design kit’ will cost approximately £100 but you may well already have much of the equipment required so check with us first. Also, although we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and MAC) for you to undertake your coursework you may wish to bring your own digital devices, again check with us first before making a purchase.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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This concern with key aspects of professional practice reinforces the fact that the aim of the programme is to develop highly skilled educational practitioners who also have the knowledge, analytical and research skills of successful Doctorate graduates.