This Masters of Research course offers students the opportunity to develop a major individual research project within the research environment of the Graduate School at CCW, directed at further study at MPhil/PhD level. The course is closely integrated with CCW research centres, and is staffed by Professors and Readers who work in the Graduate School, who have substantial expertise in practical and theoretical research in art and design and the supervision of research students. This is a taught MA course, providing a structured introduction to research in art and design fields for those wishing to progress to MPhil/PhD. It will also suit those working within art and design fields, who may wish to enhance their research skills, or the research element of their practice.

Interview with Dr Malcolm Quinn talking about the MRES Arts Practice.

Dr Malcolm Quinn, Course Director, is Reader in Critical Practice at Wimbledon College of Art. He has developed and delivered research methods courses for MA and doctoral students at Wimbledon College of Art and the Royal College of Art, and is an experienced PhD supervisor. He has written extensively on art and design research, and the development of art and design language and pedagogy. In 2008/9, he was a guest lecturer at Cambridge University, Bath Spa University and Jan Van Eyck Academy Maastricht. He is a contributor to the major forthcoming publication The Routledge Companion to Research in the Arts. He has led two AHRC funded collaborative doctoral training programmes, and is a member of the AHRC peer review college.

The weight of workload and assessment is on the Unit 3 research project (120 credits), which is a structured independent study developed in the context of the research environment at CCW. Each student is assigned a specialist supervisor for this element of the course. Unit 1 and Unit 2 (20 and 40 credits) provides a strong platform for this independent study, by developing individual skills and research competencies through a collective understanding of the language of art and design research, its historical and contemporary contexts, and its current debates. Individual research training needs are assessed before entry to the course and are regularly reviewed. Key skills developed through group work in Unit 1 and Unit 2 include problem setting and solving, the identification of research aims and objectives, mapping the field of inquiry, project co-ordination and management, reflection and feedback, and the communication and dissemination of research outcomes.

This course is intended to prepare students for MPhil/PhD study. It is designed to enable students to identify and familiarise themselves with a field of research in which they can work at doctoral level, and to provide them with key skills appropriate to doctoral research. Students from this course may progress to MPhil/PhD within CCW or elsewhere. Research skills developed through the course will provide graduates with expertise applicable to advanced practice and professional development within art and design fields. Graduates will also have acquired skills advantageous to careers within curatorial/gallery/museum practice.

• A good honours degree in a related subject or equivalent academic/professional qualifications.
• An example of written work (for example a BA thesis)
• Study Proposal - an outline (800 words maximum) stating the independent study project that you intend to undertake in Unit 3, which identifies any potential CCW supervisors and/or research centres that you may wish to work with, and which can be accompanied by a CD/DVD showing examples of your practice if appropriate.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must show proof of IELTS level 6.5 and a minimum of 5.5 in reading, listening, writing and speaking. The University also accepts other tests. Please see the University English tests page for the equivalent scores required in these tests.

How to Apply

Home/EU Applicants

CCW Graduate School Application Form  

Completed forms, including your study proposal, reference & portfolio (if required) can be returned by post to:
CCW Graduate School Admissions
16 John Islip Street
London
SW1P 4JU

Or you can submit your form electronically to ccwgraduateschool@arts.ac.uk

International Applicants
Please visit the CCW International Apply page to download an application form or contact the CCW International Office.
T: +44 (0)20 7514 1852
E: ccwinternational@arts.ac.uk

Application Deadlines

AHRC deadline: 1 March 2012
UK & EU applicants: 2 July 2012
International: No official deadline, but you are advised to apply as soon as possible.

What happens next?
Applications will be reviewed against the entry requirements and selection criteria for the course. You may then be invited to attend an interview at the College on a set day, with your full portfolio if applicable.