Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £8,865 per year -
How long will I study?
3 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
October 2025
February 2026
May 2026
Course summary
- Undertake Masters level research on a programme specialising in practice-led approaches, with outstanding student satisfaction ratings
- Develop the knowledge and skills to become an effective researcher
- Study within the exciting research environment of the Art, Design and Media Research Centre, Lab4Living or Design Futures
Deliver a programme of research with guidance from experienced supervisors and practitioners in fine art, design, or film & media production, with research interests in health and wellbeing, physical and digital making, and social and political challenges.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associates can enrol for an MPhil based on the project developed with the host company.
Creative UK membership
We are members of Creative UK, which means our art and design students are also members until they graduate. With 10,000 members in its network, Creative UK represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries, advocating on the issues that matter the most to creative communities.
Top 10 in the UK
View our students' work
View our gallery of student work and learn more about the exciting projects they've been working on this year.
How you learn
90% of our research in Art & Design was assessed as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in REF2021. SHU is in the top 10 of UK universities for research impact in art and design.
You will work with a supervisory team with expertise in your research area who help you to define and plan your research project, agree associated training requirements, and provide direction while supporting you to develop as a researcher. You will join a dynamic community of postgraduate researchers and have opportunities to share your work at SHU and beyond.
You learn through:
- independent study
- project supervision
- active research, making and exhibition (as appropriate)
- practice-led research workshops and live projects
- researcher development training events
- presenting your research at conferences and seminars
- participation in lively debate and discussion with your peers
- writing and defending an MPhil practice-led thesis
You will receive training on professional standards in research practice, including ethics and project management, and how to enhance your personal effectiveness as a researcher. You will explore how to disseminate your research and establish an academic profile. You will present at the Culture & Creativity Research Institute (CCRI) interdisciplinary conferences on the themes of research METHOD and research IMPACT, which provide a platform for focussed discussion on research process and practice and questions of application, audience, and impact.
Your learning is supported by access to:
- a dedicated Postgraduate Research Tutor for Fine Art, Design & Media practice, and PGR administration team
- a library research support team and 24-hour access to library facilities
- SHU Academic Skills Centre with sessions specifically for doctoral researchers
- the University English Scheme for international students
- a programme of support for doctoral student wellbeing
Look at the Art & Design Department's Instagram to see what innovations and creations our students have been working on.
Applied learning
Networking opportunities
Throughout your course you will have opportunities to interact with academics and specialists in your field. Funds are available for you to present your work in professional academic settings at international and national conferences and/or in public exhibition and we will encourage you to seek opportunities to engage different audiences with your research. All our research students make a vital contribution to the intellectual life of the University from the earliest stages of their research.
The Art, Design and Media Research Centre hosts stimulating seminar series featuring established academics and practitioners in the field, such as the highly regarded Transmission and Gravity, and international conferences such as Design for Health.
CCRI is a partner in the AHRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Heritage.
SHU doctoral students are supported to enter the national ‘3-minute thesis’ competition.
SHU art and design students are members of Creative UK. With 10,000 members, Creative UK represents, champions, and supports the UK’s creative industries, advocating on the issues that matter the most to creative communities.
Live projects
Research in this area offers critical insights on cultural and political issues and explores specific social contexts. Some projects are developed in collaboration with respected national and international organisations. Recent partners include Sheffield Museums, S1 Artspace, Site Gallery, Bishops House, The Foundling Museum, The William Morris Gallery, the V&A, Freetown Christiania, the British Museum and English Heritage.
Future careers
An MPhil in fine art and design can help you prepare for a career in:
- design
- fine art practice
- curation
- design management
- making or manufacturing
- company-employed design
- independent design practice
- education
- retail/marketing
- design research
- art research
- academia
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to become professional practitioners, to work for international design companies and consultancies, and to gain PhD scholarships.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
The university has exceptional fine art, design and media practice facilities, equipment and technical support, and screening facilities at 'The Void' film lecture theatre, which boasts cinema-standard 4K digital projection and two 40-year-old Westrex 7000 35mm projectors. Research students have access to studio and exhibition space at S1 Artspace.
Two libraries provide 24-hour access, and a dedicated library research support team offer expert advice and training on all aspects of information and publishing
Postgraduate researchers in the Culture and Creativity Research Institute have dedicated office space to work in, which we also use to host our community writing sessions.
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities in the last five years, to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our student
Entry requirements
All students
Please contact the relevant research area or centre to enquire about the entry requirements for this MPhil. Where English is not your first language, you must also show evidence of English language ability.
All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form including a 1500 word research proposal.
You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes. Find out more about the University’s research areas and staff or search for members of staff by keyword.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students will be aligned to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fees which have not yet been confirmed for 2025/26. For an indication of the tuition fees, please view the 2024/25 course page. An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £8,865 per year. (Note that this course is not suitable for students requiring a Tier 4 visa). An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.
Doctoral student loans
Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 153.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
