Due to the number of prospective applicants, the Painting programme does not require candidates to make contact in advance of an application and cannot offer guidance on preparing a proposal. However we do seek to ensure that the application process is very responsive to candidates, and do offer ongoing guidance to candidates between phases of the application, to help them make the strongest presentation of their work and interests.

Initially we ask for a provisional proposal and a portfolio of artwork. Out priority is to consider the quality of the artwork, and the scope of the proposed project to develop it. The proposal is provisional in recognition that many MA Fine Art graduates are not familiar with research terms.

On the basis on the provisional proposal we ask candidates for interview, and we may make individual contact and provide guidance to the candidate to enhance or extend their proposal. We convene a wide panel of staff with varied research expertise to consider the initial applications and to conduct the interviews. Often we also invite an external expert to participate, in order to ensure our relevance to wider, emergent contemporary art.

You should submit a provisional proposal along with your application form and portfolio by 16 January 2013.

For further guidelines on how to apply to the Painting programme, please see the MPhil/PhD Research by Project in Painting Application Guide (PDF version).