Overview

Research is a rich, central and essential part of the School of Communication from the Royal College of Art.

Key Facts

Our MPhil and PhD degrees are grounded firmly in research theory and methods, while maintaining and encouraging a high degree of creativity and experimentation.

We welcome research projects that activate new kinds of knowledge formation; critically exploring, probing and creating ways to open dialogues on narratives and methods to positively change the terms of contemporary communication practices. Ours is a broad discipline ranging from, but not exclusive to, animation, experimental communication, sonic performance, media ecologies, intercultural communication, digital storytelling and immersive world building.

We look for critical engagement, originality and proven skills in both practice and writing, and encourage questioning and experimental research approaches. The research ethos of our community can be summed up as fostering an ethically alert approach to practices of communication that are inclusive, culturally informed, and historically aware. We bring theory and practice together to offer new ways of thinking about the world, at a time when alternative paradigms and criticality are essential to mobilising imagination and action for the future.

Programme Structure

Curriculum:

The mode of research will be discussed in interview, and should be indicated in the application process.

A postgraduate research degree challenges you to complete a research project that pushes the boundaries of our understanding.

Unlike a taught degree, a research degree emphasises independence of learning and increased specialisation. You will manage your own research project in order to investigate your topic in depth and to produce new ideas, arguments and solutions.

A research degree will give you the subject matter expertise and transferable skills necessary for a wide range of senior roles in research and academia, as well as in business, industry and the cultural and creative sectors.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months
Part-time
- 72 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-05 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-09-07 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-19 00:00:00

Language

English

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

London, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Communication Studies Media Studies & Mass Media Digital Media View 16 other PhDs in Digital Media in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

The programme welcomes applications from candidates from across the world and of all ages, including those with academic and professional backgrounds.

Applications are considered in terms of quality of proposal, quality of practice (where appropriate), readiness to undertake a research degree at this level and supervisory capacity.

Your portfolio is a showcase of your work as an artist or designer and can be made up of images, videos or writing examples. Your portfolio helps us to better understand your application and allows you to show evidence of your ability and motivation to undertake a given programme.

Please submit a portfolio of selected work which best evidences your abilities in articulating research questions, methods, and approaches.

You will need to provide your score from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

32600 GBP / year

≈ 32600 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

10450 GBP / year

≈ 10450 GBP / year

Living costs

London

United Kingdom

1137 - 2157 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

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