Our research degree programme has three starting points in the year: October, January and April. Applications must reach Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC) Admissions by the following deadlines to qualify for the appropriate start date:

• 31 May for enrolment in October
• 30 September for enrolment in January
• 31 January for enrolment in April.

You will be applying to Cardiff School of Art and Design almost certainly because there is a member of staff or a group of staff here whose research connects with your own interest, and who you would like to have as a supervisor (you can have up to three supervisors). Your supervisors will have an influence on the direction your research takes, so before you submit your formal proposal, we recommend you approach the person or people you have in mind informally to discuss your ideas and to gauge their interest. Make it clear in your formal proposal how this discussion has guided your thinking. A list of our supervisors, with links to their contact details, can be found here.

Formal applications can be made by completing an application form, which includes a section for your research proposal. Information on completing an application form and writing a research proposal is provided below.

• European (including UK) Applicants
• International (non-European) Applicants
• Research Proposal 

Once an application has been received by Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC) Admissions, it is forwarded to the School and considered by a panel of research supervisors, including those you may have identified as potential supervisors. One of the following decisions will be made: (a) to accept your application unconditionally; (b) to accept it with conditions; (c) to recommend amendments; or (d) to reject it. This process is made a lot quicker if informal conversations have taken place between you and potential supervisors beforehand. Applicants should allow between 4 and 6 weeks for this process to be completed.

For further information on what to expect during the application process, view the Application Flowchart here (pdf format).

European (including UK) applications. 

Please complete the Application Form and Equal Opportunities form. They can be completed electronically and printed, or printed blank and completed by hand, but cannot be saved electronically. (Fully electronic versions are in preparation.) You are advised to save all paragraph-length answers in a separate Word file and paste them into the application form. Please consult the Guide on completing the application form. Most importantly, please ensure that Section 6 of the application form, your research proposal, addresses points 1-5 outlined in the Research Proposal section below.

Completed application forms, together with:
• the Equal Opportunities form,
• photocopies of higher education degree certificates, and
• (optional) any relevant supporting material you would like us to consider, for example, a folio of your practice on CD

should be sent to:
Admissions Unit,
Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC),
Western Avenue,
Cardiff,
CF5 2SG,
Wales,
UK.

For more information email: askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)29 2041 6044. Once your application form has been received, it will be sent to Cardiff School of Art and Design for consideration. We will endeavour to process your application as quickly as possible.

International (non-European) applications. 

Please complete the Research Admission, International Student Application and Equal Opportunities forms. The Research Admission form can be completed electronically, but must be printed, completed and either scanned and returned electronically or posted to the address below. Please ensure that Section 13 of the Research Admission form addresses points 1-5 outlined in the Research Proposal section below. The International Student Application and Equal Opportunities forms must be printed and completed by hand.

Completed application forms, together with:
• the Equal Opportunities form,
• photocopies of higher education degree certificates, and
• (optional) any relevant supporting material you would like us to consider, for example, a folio of your practice on CD

should be sent to:
International Office
Cardiff Metropolitan University
200 Western Avenue
Cardiff
CF5 2YB
Wales, UK.

If you have any queries about your international application, contact us at international@cardiffmet.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)29 2041 6045. Once your application form has been received, it will be sent to Cardiff School of Art and Design for consideration. We will endeavour to process your application as quickly as possible.

Research Proposal 

Please include a research proposal with your application form. Your proposal should be a maximum of 1,000 words, and should set out the following six points:

1. Why Cardiff School of Art and Design? With which research supervisor(s) have you informally discussed your proposal? How will their work provide an appropriate and supportive context for your project?;
2. The research topic or question on which you are likely to focus;
3. An outline of the debate or subject area in which your research will be located, with reference to the particular theories and practices (including names and publication or exhibition dates) that make the significance of your research interest clear;
4. The possible methods by which you plan to address or test your research question/topic, for example, with a practice-based PhD, the mode of your art practice, and the methods you will use to assess and contextualize your practice in the light of your topic/question;
5. A bibliography of all texts and sources cited;
6. Your professional and/or personal reasons for wanting to undertake MPhil or PhD research.