Notes for MPhil & PhD Applicants

Please read the guidance notes below before completing your application form for postgraduate research degrees at the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts (validated by the University of Wales Trinity St David).

Key Contacts

Ririko Suzuki, Registrar

Dr Emily Pott, Director of Research Programmes

Informational Interviews

Prospective applicants are encouraged to arrange an informational interview at any time during the application process. Please contact the Registrar or the Director of Research Programmes if you wish to arrange an interview or if you have any questions about your application or research at the School.

Completed forms and all supporting documentation must be received at the School by 1 March 2024.

Please refer to the instructions below for more information.

Application Fee

A fee of £30 must be paid once the application form has been submitted. Once you complete your application form you will be redirected to a payment page on our website.

Course Fees

• £6,500 per annum for UK students full-time and £3,250 part-time
• £10,000 per annum for all other students full-time and £5,000 part-time

Admissions and Interview Process

The Admissions Committee will review applications after the 1 March 2024. At this first stage the Committee will make an initial decision as to whether candidates will move to the next stage in the process, and will inform applicants about their initial decision.

The Admissions Committee will then arrange to interview those candidates who progress to the second stage. Interviews will normally take place in person, but other arrangements may be made if necessary. If applicants proceed to this interview stage, the Admissions Committee may call for further supporting materials.

Following interviews, the Committee will inform candidates of the results of their interview. Candidates who are successful at this stage will be informed of further steps required to meet the approval of the University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD). This will normally require further work on the part of the candidate.

All admissions decisions are ultimately subject to the approval of the Admissions Committee of UWTSD, or in some cases their Research Degrees Committee. Receiving approval may take some time and applicants may be asked for further documentation of qualification, particularly in cases of non-standard entry. Applications will not be made to the University unless the School’s Admissions Committee deems that they are likely to be successful.

The School will endeavour to communicate to all applicants in a clear and timely fashion throughout the process.

Non-standard Entry

Please refer to the entrance requirements for application. If you do not meet the minimum requirements it is possible to apply for non-standard entry.

Application form

Fill in the form, making sure that you fully complete each section. Use the checklist at the end of the application form to ensure you have completed everything. If your form is incomplete, we are unable to process your application.

Make sure that:

• you have completed the form and forwarded all supporting documentation required (refer to the checklist at the end of the application form);
• any supporting documentation is forwarded to the Registrar and is clearly marked with your name and intended course;
• your referees are aware that confidential letters need to reach the School by the deadline.

See the sections below for more information about the sections on the form.

Research degree type

Clearly indicate whether you are applying for an MPhil or a PhD.

Study Options

Candidates may undertake an MPhil or an PhD either full-time or part-time.

In London or at a distance

Candidates may choose to live in London or elsewhere (distance learning) while completing their research degree. Distance learners will be required, nevertheless, to attend specific workshops and skills training courses at the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts and/or UWTSD, as agreed. They will also be expected to attend the School for a minimum of ten days per academic year, as agreed by their supervisory team. Those who apply as distance learners and proceed beyond the interview stage may be asked to provide further information to the Admissions Committee about availability of resources to support their research

Check here for further details about Study Options, or contact the Director of Research Programmes if you have questions.

Education

Please refer to the website for information about entrance requirements and contact the Director of Research if you have any questions.

Research Proposal

In addition to outlining your project, be sure to address fully the context for your research and your anticipated contribution to knowledge. Also include details of your research methodology and understanding of arts practice as research. Include a proposed bibliography of texts and images that you think will be important to your work. You may wish to direct the reader to examples from your portfolio that relate to your proposal. The questions you should broadly aim to answer about your project in your proposal are: What do you propose to do? What have others done in the same area (artists and academics)? How will you do this? Why is it necessary or important to do this? The proposal can include images and should be approximately 1000 words in length.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may wish to include a section in your proposal highlighting any prior skills or knowledge that you feel have prepared you for undertaking a research degree.

Contact the Director of Research Programmes if you have questions about your proposal.

Referees

Forward the Confidential Statement by Referee form to your referee(s) as soon as possible. Be sure to fill in your name and the title of your intended course before you forward it.

Your referee should email the form directly to the Registrar by 1 March 2024. We will only accept reference forms via email.

Residency

If you are not resident in the UK you may have to apply for a visa and satisfy all its requirements before you can make an application or are eligible to study in the UK.

You can find helpful information here and you may contact the Registrar for further information.

English Language Proficiency

All courses are in English and your written submission must be completed in English. All offers of places are conditional on applicants satisfying specific and official English language requirements.

If you do not have a Masters degree completed through the medium of English, from a majority English-speaking country, you must provide evidence of your English language proficiency in the form of a current IELTS certificate showing a UKVI number. Your minimum overall score must be 6.5 (to include a minimum score of 6.5 in reading and writing and a minimum score of 6.0 in speaking and listening).

If you have already taken an IELTS test, or intend to take one, please provide details on the application form listing your most recent test results first. You must also provide copies of your official test results as supporting documentation.

Portfolios

Applicants are required to submit original artwork as part of their application. The application portfolio should include visual work evidencing the ability to undertake arts practice as research and relevant to the traditional art form the applicant wishes to research. Drawings, paintings and, if appropriate, 3-D forms can be included.

All portfolios should be submitted electronically to the Registrar via a file transfer service such as Wetransfer or Dropbox. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are unable to accept physical portfolios by post this year.

All portfolios should arrive by the 1 March 2024 deadline, and be clearly labelled with the applicant’s name and intended course and be accompanied by a list detailing the contents of the portfolio.