MA by Research Art in Cheltenham United Kingdom | University of Gloucestershire

Course overview

An art research degree provides the chance to investigate your creative practice as scholarly inquiry, creating an original portfolio while situating your work within both contemporary and historical artistic contexts. You'll build upon current knowledge and methodologies while demonstrating how your research contributes new insights to the field.

Our program helps you concentrate and refine specific elements of your practice as investigative work - aspects that may or may not have been traditionally linked to artistic creation or other exploratory research forms. We'll guide you in critically analyzing both others' approaches and your own motivations as an artist-researcher.

You'll craft a written thesis alongside practice-based investigation, with our support in developing suitable practice methodologies and refining effective communication and dissemination strategies.

Alternatively, an Art PhD can focus entirely on historical or theoretical study, following conventional academic thesis formats. For some students, doctoral research advances their academic careers by establishing research credentials. For others, the intensive examination of practices and original knowledge contribution represents valuable achievement in itself. All participants engage in rigorous exploration of personally meaningful subjects, culminating in a prestigious qualification through the viva examination process.

Research opportunities include:
- Studying and presenting work through seminars and conferences (both digital and in-person)
- Connecting with specialists in your field
- Potential travel for immersive study experiences

Research specializations:
Our faculty expertise covers diverse areas including:
- Art in health and wellbeing contexts
- Ecological art practices
- Creative applications of artificial intelligence
- Contemporary painting and drawing methodologies
- Curatorial studies and community engagement
- Sensory studies and sound art
- Socially engaged artistic practices
- Architectural heritage conservation
- Performance and video art
- Narrative illustration techniques

Career prospects:
Our research students develop versatile skills valued across multiple sectors, preparing them for academic careers or professional roles beyond higher education.

At UoG, you'll enhance capabilities in:
- Advanced research methodologies
- Academic writing and presentation
- Project coordination
- Critical analysis

These competencies create opportunities in:
- Higher education institutions
- Research organizations
- Cultural institutions
- Commercial enterprises
- Non-governmental organizations

Our graduates emerge ready to apply their researcher skills to address complex challenges and pursue ambitious professional goals.