Scholarships and Funding

The final assessment of the degree, done by 2 local assessors and one international assessor, is based on the originality of the body of creative work and the written thesis as original contributions to knowledge. We emphasize that the PhD experience, however, should not only focus on the final exhibition and thesis, but also on the long journey of making, research, writing and reading as a continuous reflexive and critical process for both research and practice over the course of the three year degree. Research proposals should be submitted to two external readers within 6 months of registration for feedback. Regular meetings and written submissions to supervisors are important steps in this process. Open studios are organised in each term over two days for students to engage peers and staff in critical feedback and PhD students are encouraged to show work regularly, or at least discuss their ongoing ideas in these sessions.

PhD Research Proposal Process

The Faculty Graduate Studies Committee or a panel, formally appointed by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, must consider the recommendations regarding worthiness of Doctor of Philosophy by creative research by Fine Arts candidate of the School, after an initial period of registration (6 months full-time or 12 months parttime) in order to decide whether to allow their registration to continue. A candidate is required to submit their research documents, from this initial registration period, demonstrating a focused and well researched topic that is elucidated in both practice and written form. For the proposal submission process, candidates can choose from three presentation options to present to one identified proposal reader:

Option 1:

• Present a body of practical work that embodies/speaks to / elucidates the trajectory of their research – this may be presented in physical form or in documentation; • Present one draft chapter of the dissertation (approximately 40005000 words). This chapter can be written as historical, content, textual or visual analysis or a creative / performative response to your practice (and research focus) but must amply demonstrate the manner in which literature reviews are incorporated into writing in our field, while attending to the following: title of research; identifying a focused research question; stating the aims and rationale of the research; problems and gaps identified that the research is responding to; research methods employed (this includes creative research); ethical considerations of the research; • A comprehensive bibliography of sources identified on the research area; • An abstract of no more than 250 words, including 5-6 keywords; • Chapter outlines: Summary of what each chapter in the dissertation will cover (approximately 500 words for each chapter).

Option 2:

• Present a body of practical work that embodies/speaks to / elucidates the trajectory of their research – this may be presented in physical form or in documentation; • Present one experimental draft of one chapter or piece of writing that exemplifies the writing style of the dissertation (approximately 4000-5000 words); • Present a two-page document detailing the following clearly: title of research; state the focused research question; the aims and rationale of the research; problems and gaps identified that the research is responding to; research methods employed (this includes creative research); ethical considerations of the research; • A comprehensive bibliography of sources identified on the research area; • An abstract of no more than 250 words, including 5-6 keywords; • Chapter outlines: Summary of what each chapter in the dissertation will cover (approximately 500 words for each chapter).

Option 3:

• Present a body of practical work that embodies/speaks to / elucidates the trajectory of their research – this may be presented in physical form or in documentation; • Present a research proposal (approximately 4000-5000 words);