PhD by published work

Recognising contributions to a discipline or professional field through existing publications.

Who is it for?

This route is for researchers and practitioners who:

• already have a collection of outputs in the public sphere and
• wish to work with a supervisor to situate their work within a critical and reflective framework
• may not have followed a conventional academic trajectory.

Your body of outputs should collectively prove a contribution to knowledge. The contributions could be made through practice, writing, curation or other scholarly forms.

UAL welcomes applicants with work grounded in or shaped by creative, critical and interdisciplinary approaches. This includes, but is not limited to, those working in:

• art and design
• media
• fashion
• performance
• communication
• curation
• education.

What does the route involve?

The PhD by published work requires submission of a portfolio of relevant, peer-recognised outputs. This can include books, articles, exhibitions, performances, designs or digital works.

Our supervisory teams support candidates to develop a critical commentary (typically 20,000 words). The commentary will frame the research questions/aims, context and methodologies. Its goal is to provide evidence of how the submitted works have contributed to knowledge.

At the end, candidates will give a viva voce examination, like in the traditional PhD route.

Duration of the PhD degree: maximum 2 years.

Why undertake a PhD by published work?

• Formal recognition of existing achievements
• Flexible structure, tailored to experienced researchers
• Supportive supervision that focuses on critical framing and doctoral-level articulation
• Opportunities for career progression in higher education and beyond
• A route to reflect, consolidate and contextualise a research journey

How to apply

Contact the appropriate College research office for advice on finding a relevant supervisor:

• Camberwell College of Arts: ccwresearch@arts.ac.uk
• Central Saint Martins: csmresearch@arts.ac.uk
• Chelsea College of Arts: ccwresearch@arts.ac.uk
• London College of Communication: research@lcc.arts.ac.uk
• London College of Fashion: lcfresearch@arts.ac.uk
• Wimbledon College of Arts: ccwresearch@arts.ac.uk
• Creative Computing Institute: CCI.phd@arts.ac.uk

Fees

2025/26

Home: £6,620
International: £26,310