MPhil/PhD Visual Culture

at Goldsmiths University of London

Program structure

PhD seminar

In addition to regular tutorials with your supervisor, you will attend the MPhil/PhD Visual Culture seminar in your first and second years of study. This is a weekly seminar dedicated to research questions and theoretical problems of study at MPhil/PhD level. It has the additional aim of fostering a supportive and participatory postgraduate research culture in the Department.

Other courses, seminars, workshops and events

As well as participating in the PhD Seminar you are invited to audit an MA Special Subject of your choice should this be helpful. At key moments throughout the year, MPhil/PhD students on the Visual Culture programme join students on our MPhil/PhD Curatorial/Knowledge programme and there are also opportunities to benefit from seminars and workshops associated with our Centre for Research Architecture.

The Visual Cultures Public Programme

You are to attend the department’s Visual Cultures Public Programme. These events take place on Thursday evenings and are followed by an opportunity to socialize with staff, fellow students and other attendees.

Research training

The Department requires all students to attend the research student training programmes organised by ReSKIN (the Research Skills Intercollegiate Network). This is an organisation made up of various departments across the University of London, and the training is aimed specifically at students studying for a PhD in Art History, Visual Culture, Fine Art Practice and cognate disciplines. A college-wide programme of research training is also provided, which involves an induction course (which all students should attend), introduction to information technologies and the use of library and bibliographic resources, and sessions on research planning, presentation skills and ethics.

You should normally have (or expect to be awarded) a taught Masters in a relevant subject area. 

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2022/2023 academic year.

• International - full-time: £15820