Programme description
This programme offers the opportunity to conduct in-depth research in an area of particular interest. Our research interests are wide-ranging.
Strengths include:
- medieval Italy;
- Italian and Northern Renaissance;
- Renaissance print culture;
- history of architecture;
- art and science;
- British art in the 18th and 19th centuries;
- Romanticism and its reception;
- the history and theory of the avant-garde;
- art and sexuality;
- modernism and post-colonialism;
- art and psychoanalysis;
- poststructuralism;
- history and theory of photography;
- experimental art-writing;
- contemporary Chinese art
- post-conceptual contemporary art
- modern art in India.
You will prepare your thesis under the guidance of two supervisors. Progress is monitored at regular meetings of your research panel (two supervisors plus an independent reviewer). The aim of the programme is to support you in becoming an independent researcher. We encourage you to disseminate your work at seminars and conferences, and in recognised journals or equivalents publications.
The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation that makes an original contribution to art historical knowledge. As a postgraduate researcher in the department of Art History and Cultural Practices, you will join a vibrant community with access to exciting research seminars and other events, such the Visiting Pilkington Professor series and the Whitworth Studies series.
Find out more about our research, our staff and what our current postgraduate research students are working on.
Special features
Research Environment
Art History and Cultural Practices at Manchester is one of the leading departments in the UK for research in the subject according to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
- 91% of our research activity was recognised as 'world leading' or `internationally excellent'.
- 100% of our impact case studies were judged to be 'outstanding'.
- 100% of our research environment was judged to be 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'.
Find out more about our Art History Research .
Additional programme information
Humanities Doctoral Academy
Our Humanities Doctoral Academy combines the strengths of our four schools to bring expertise, knowledge, support and high-quality services for postgraduate researchers.
We are a community of academic leaders and postgraduate researchers across all levels in the Faculty of Humanities. The Doctoral Academy Hub houses our specialist professional service teams who support postgraduate researchers throughout the programme journey.
This includes admissions, registration, student experience, progression, examination, and graduation. We collaborate closely with other University directorates including Manchester Doctoral College, Researcher Development team, and the corresponding Doctoral Academies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Together we provide the best experience and support for your studies and research.
EDI
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.
We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
All appointments are made on merit.
The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Teaching and learning
Coursework and assessment
The award of your PhD follows three years of successful supervised research. The maximum length of the PhD thesis is 80,000 words.
Related research
REF 2021
Art History and Cultural Practices at Manchester is one of the leading departments in the UK for research.
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) Art History and Visual Studies was assessed as part of The University of Manchester's 'Art and design: history, practice and theory' submission.
91% of our research was judged to be in the highest two categories (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'. Our research impact was also judged to be strong, with 100% judged to be (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'.
The University of Manchester was ranked in the top 10 in the UK in terms (by grade point average) among the 86 departments assessed under Unit of Assessment 32.
Find out more about our Art History research .
What our students say
Facilities
Manchester is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.
The city also has outstanding museums and galleries: the Whitworth and the Manchester Museum are both part of the University. Manchester Art Gallery boasts an internationally celebrated Pre-Raphaelite collection. Also nearby are the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, the Lowry Arts Centre, and the Imperial War Museum North.
Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at Manchester.
We also have one of the largest academic IT services in Europe - supporting world-class teaching and research. There are extensive computing facilities across campus, with access to standard office software as well as specialist programmes, all connected to the campus network and internet.
Every student is registered for email, file storage and internet access. If more demanding computer access is required, our specialist computing division can provide high-end and specialist computing services.
Find out more about our facilities for Art History students.