Postgraduate Research

Our postgraduate research programme in the School of the Arts (SotA) is committed to educating scholars who will lead in their fields of research with outstanding intellectual skills and will carry forward distinctive research with opportunities to engage with the arts, culture, heritage and design scene in Liverpool.

The generation of new knowledge and understanding through creative practice, scholarship and criticism is central to our research. A particular strength of our PhD programmes lie in our collaborative engagement with our key cultural, commercial, public and third design sector partners with a keen interest in both theoretical and practice-led research.

The School of the Arts offers distinctive postgraduate research degrees (including MPhil and PhD)  covering a broad range of subjects related to the 5 core departments: School of Architecture, Communication and Media, Department of English, Department of Music and Department of Philosophy. Please refer to our individual departmental websites for our specialised research and supervisory expertise.

Completion of the PhD programme normally takes a minimum of three years' full-time, or five years' part-time study. PGR alumni of SotA hold prestigious positions ranging from practice to academia as a proof of the high quality of our postgraduate programme. Once admitted to the programme, the PGR students are provided a  comprehensive package of formal supervision, support and training, as well as high quality study space in our newly refurbished Graduate School at 19-23 Abercromby Square.

Funding opportunities for postgraduate research students

Wherever possible we build funding for studentships into our research proposals and have a thriving postgraduate population as a result. 

There are also other ways of funding your studies here, such as:- 

  • AHRC Funding: NWDTP & NWCDTP
  • Liverpool School of the Arts Doctoral Awards
  • Paid teaching and other work
  • Annual awards for best progress
  • Scholarship and fee waiver scheme
  • Work as a student residential advisor in return for discounted accommodation

Help with funding your programme

Scholarships, bursaries and annual awards are available from the School and University. These are generally awarded on a competitive basis. 

Funding opportunities exist for postgraduate, undergraduate and postgraduate research students. 

University funding for students 

Please follow the link below for details:- 

Undergraduate & Postgraduate Students

International students 

School of The Arts funding for students 

Please follow these links for details:- 

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