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UAL Creative Computing Institute

MPhil/PhD in Creative Computing

Woman sitting on laptop with electronics components

Research pathway for artists, scientists, designers and engineers.

We look for applicants who seek to explore ideas with the capacity to impact the future of creative technologies including:

  • Film and video
  • Music and sound
  • Fine art
  • Sculpture
  • Games
  • Immersive technologies
  • Interaction
  • Interface design
  • Accessibility
  • Physical computing
  • Data journalism
  • Web platforms
  • Consumer electronics

PhD research at CCI aligns with our 3 core research themes:

  • Creativity, Machine Learning and AI
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Platforms, Big Data and Digital Citizenship

You can choose either a thesis only, or thesis plus practical mode for either MPhil or PhD study. The practical work could include:

  • Objects
  • Artworks
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Frameworks

Practical work must meet the same critical expectations of research as a contribution to knowledge.

Entry requirements

We generally look for applicants with a degree in any discipline related to your chosen area of research:

  • First class honours degree (or international equivalent)
  • Masters degree (MA, MFA, MSc, MRes)

We also look for applicants who have demonstrable experience with skills necessary to carry out your proposal. For example, if your research involves programming you should have prior programming knowledge. You should evidence this through a degree, work experience or your portfolio.

We welcome  applications from those whose background is predominantly in the arts or sciences and have begun to develop a research interest in creative technologies as a transdisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary field.

Assessment

Your assessment will be by thesis or thesis plus practical work. Depending on the mode and level of study your thesis text will be:

MPhil

Thesis only: 40,000 – 60,000 words

Thesis plus practice: 15,000 – 60,000 words

PhD

Thesis only: 60,000 – 100,000 words

Thesis plus practice: 30,000 – 100,000 words

Proposals

You will need to submit a short research proposal with your application. The research proposal is the most important part of the application process.

Find out more on how to prepare a proposal here.

If you are not sure yet what you would like to do, you should consider applying for our MRes programme.

Deadlines

We review applications at regular intervals throughout the year. We would love to hear from interested applicants at any time.

Students applying for funding may need to meet earlier deadlines.

Find out more about formal deadlines for each application period.

Funding

Depending on your eligibility and research quality we may make you an offer that includes some level of financial support.

Read more about funding opportunities

Supervisors