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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Here in the School of Arts we combine text and practice based approaches to research. With world-leading academics and research across our subject areas, we provide a vibrant environment for our large and dynamic group of PhD students.
We welcome research proposals related to the research interests of our research groups and staff. This includes:
 Fine Art
 Film Studies
 Historical and Popular Musicology
 Sound Arts and Composition
 Publishing.
We have extensive links with over 90 universities across the world and work closely with industry and practice. These links lead to many opportunities for collaborative research, exchanges, overseas study and many more.
Research expertise
Our research groups create a context for staff and students to engage with innovative practices and ideas hosting festivals, conferences, lecture series, workshops and laboratories for developing and sharing new research.
We welcome research proposals related to the research interests of our research groups and staff.
Groups
 Film Studies Research Unit (FSRU)
 Opera Research Unit (OBERTO)
 Popular Music Research Unit (PMRU)
 Print Culture Research Unit (PCRU)
 Sonic Art Research Unit (SARU)
 The Audience Project (TAP)
Degree routes
All students enrol as probationer research students. During the first year you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.
The degree for which you register will depend on your academic qualifications and research experience.
MPhil (with possibility of transfer to PhD)
Most students initially register for an MPhil with the possibility of transfer to a PhD without submitting for an MPhil. During your MPhil you will:
 critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
 demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
 present and defend a substantial thesis by oral examination.
Length of study
 Full Time: min 2 years, max 3 years for MPhil component only; for MPhil/PhD, min 3 years, max 5 years.
 Part Time: min 3 years, max 4 years for MPhil component only; for MPhil/PhD, min 4 years, max 6 years.
Entry requirement: the minimum entry requirement for an MPhil degree, or an MPhil with the intention of transferring to a PhD, is:
 a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree
 a relevant master’s qualification
 or an equivalent qualification.
Applications from those holding qualifications other than the above will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed.
PhD direct
The criteria for a PhD are similar to those for an MPhil, with the key difference that:
 the research carried out will result in an independent and original contribution to knowledge.
Length of study:
 Full Time: min 2 years, max 5 years.
 Part Time: min 3 years, max 6 years.
Entry requirement: a recent master’s degree in a discipline appropriate to the proposed research. The master’s needs to have included research training and a research project.
In exceptional cases, applicants who have a good honours degree (or equivalent) may apply for direct registration to a PhD if they have appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment. An unpublished master’s dissertation would not suffice in this instance.
PhD by published work
The degree of PhD on the basis of published work may be awarded to candidates whose submitted work:
 reflects the same academic standards as those which operate for a traditional PhD based upon an approved programme of supervised research
 forms a coherent programme of research
 demonstrates the use of appropriate research methodology
 and makes an original and sufficient contribution to the present state of knowledge in a particular field to the satisfaction of the examiners.
Applicants should normally have had some prior association with Oxford Brookes University. The submission for examination comprises the published work on which the application is based, together with a supporting critical appraisal of this work.
Length of study:
 Part Time: 1 year
Entry requirement: the minimum entry requirement is:
 a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree
 a relevant master’s qualification
 or an equivalent qualification.
Applications from those holding qualifications other than the above will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed.
Additional details
Previous PhD research has included:
 Arts practice as research
 Audiences studies
 Contemporary and Experimental Musical Composition and Improvisational processes
 Contemporary practices in arts and museum management
 Film History
 Film Theory
 International, Strategy, Policy and Development: Studies of contemporary publishing in local, regional and national contexts, issues of development and publishing.
 Kinetic sculpture and installation
 Opera
 Operatic Culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
 Music in 19th-century culture; Music and national identities; Reception studies, canon formation and music historiography
 Music, gender and religion in the early modern period
 Popular music and popular song
 Public art and site specific installation
 Social Sculpture
 Sound Art and Sonic Art
 The Culture and History of Publishing
Modules
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you will need to provide an IELTS language certificate with an overall score of 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in any element).
As a result of very recent changes made by UK Visas & Immigration, please note we no longer regard TOEFL as an acceptable language test for entry to Oxford Brookes. This applies whether you require a Student visa or not.
Application process
1. check that you meet the entry requirements and financial requirements of the programme.
2. explore our research groups and supervisory staff pages to see how your chosen field of study aligns with the research portfolio within the school.
3. contact Professor Ray Lee and advise him that you are considering making an application. You are also welcome to contact particular academics to help you develop your ideas.
4. formulate your research proposal.
5. submit your research proposal to tde-researchpgr@brookes.ac.uk. For guidance on writing a PhD research proposal, download our research degree proposal guidelines
6. gather required documents (listed below)
7. submit your application through the Oxford Brookes online application system.
Supporting documents
 Research proposal
 Scan of your passport
 IELTS Certificate or equivalent (if required) – no older than two years from the proposed start date of your programme
 Scan of your final degree certificates already awarded
 Scan of transcripts
 Two references (at least one academic) – your references must be on institutional headed paper and be dated and signed by referee(s). They can be sent directly to the Research Administrator in the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment in a sealed envelope, or emailed.
 Evidence of funding – if sponsored by an employer or government, you must provide evidence in the form of a recently dated sponsorship letter on official headed paper. If supporting your studies from private funds, you must provide a recently dated bank statement.
Career Opportunities
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