Arts MRes
1 Year Full-Time | September Start

The Arts MRes is based around self-directed study, but you are supported by a framework of three modules.

The Research Methods and Critical Contexts modules in semester one are based around a series of seminars, and encourage the discussion and exchange of ideas between students with focused research interests, but shared intellectual investment in the themes, concepts, practices and methodologies of visual and material culture. For each module, assessment is through written assignments totalling 6,000 words (30 credits per module).

The semester two Research Development module is shared with students from other MRes courses in Humanities and Social Sciences, with whom you collaborate in all elements of organising (structuring, fundraising, marketing and publicity) and staging a cross-disciplinary symposium. You are assessed on a presentation at that symposium, a written paper, and a written reflection upon the organising process (totalling 30 credits). The culmination of your Arts MRes project is a final 20,000 word dissertation, or significant body of practical art work supported by a 10,000 word dissertation (90 credits). 

How will I be assessed? 

The majority of summative assessment on the MRes Arts is through written assignments. For art practice-based students, there is also the option of the submission of a body of practice work for the final Dissertation assessment. For each of these, written feedback will be provided in writing within 20 working days of submission. However, the programme also aims to develop the way you communicate your research in verbal and visual forms. So as well as a formal presentation in Research Development module, each module requires you to present your progress and ideas to the seminar group at key points, for formative assessment, discussion and verbal feedback from your tutors and fellow students.

The Arts MRes welcomes students from a wide range of interests. Whether your project is focused on the Fine Art practice, history and theory of art and design, film and television, or wider aspects of visual and material culture, you will be supported by a supervisory team with expertise in your subject.

Your supervisors will be academic specialists in visual and material culture with in-depth knowledge of the critical issues relating to your topic, hands-on experience in appropriate research methodologies, and a highly regarded reputation of publishing scholarly materials, working with cultural institutions and curating arts events. Arts staff have specialist knowledge in art and design practice and theory, film and television studies, curating, arts festivals, landscape, architecture, fashion, socially engaged arts, performance, and digital arts practices.

Furthermore, if your project spans disciplines, your supervisory team may include staff members from different departments. Whatever your interests, you will be supported by the expertise of highly research-active staff whose work is of recognised excellence.

The Arts MRes will embed you in a vibrant postgraduate research culture, in which the formal framework of academic learning is enhanced by a multitude of opportunities to develop your specific research interests and skills, and widen the scope of your scholarly development.

The modules themselves are based around seminars which encourage discussion and the exchange of ideas between researchers from a wide range of disciplines.

In addition you have access to specialist postgraduate training workshops, studio space where relevant, and events both on and beyond the campus. All students are continually informed of events and opportunities of special interest to their research through the electronic learning portal, while regular individual tutorials with project supervisors will enable you to develop your project effectively.

Overall the Arts MRes provides a learning environment in which disciplined and self-directed academic rigour is enhanced by opportunities for the interdisciplinary pollination of ideas.

With a student-focused course of study, supported by supervisors specifically chosen to compliment your project, research is embedded in the Arts MRes course from your initial project proposal, and you will be encouraged think about, develop, evaluate and refine your research approaches throughout the programme.

The first module, Research Methods, will introduce you to generic considerations of research in the arts, before encouraging you to find and develop advanced methodologies specific to your project.

REF2014 placed Northumbria’s Art and Design research within the UK top ten for “research power”, and as you progress, your tutors and supervisory team will advise you on how to hone these approaches, drawing upon their own rich research expertise and knowledge of the latest practices and developments. You will apply your developing expertise to a wide range of research materials, subjecting them to disciplined analysis and interpretation, and presenting your findings in an academic symposium and in your final thesis.

Graduates of the Arts MRes have proven that they can undertake independent research to a high academic standard. They have demonstrated intellectual curiosity, sophisticated critical thinking and discernment in their investigation, evaluation and interpretation of many types of research materials.

A Masters of Research also develops transferable professional skills of communication, the ability to present intellectually complex information over written, verbal or visual platforms, time and resource management, and professional independence. In directing an individual research project from initial proposal to finished thesis, and through organising an academic symposium with others from different disciplines, MRes students develop a host of skills relating to project organisation, teamwork, marketing, using communication platforms, and event management.

The Arts MRes is an ideal way to develop a set of impressive outlooks, attributes and skills, which are directly transferable, whether you wish to pursue further academic research at doctoral level, or build a career in the cultural professions or education.

The Arts MRes is well established as a bridge between undergraduate or postgraduate study and focussed Doctoral research. It can also stand alone as an important step in career development.

Through carrying out a focused project of independent research, MRes Arts students develop skills ideally suited to careers in the contextualisation, communication or promotion of visual and material culture. Whether developing careers in academia, education, curating, cultural management, community engagement, traditional and digital media publishing, or creative practice, MRes graduates possess a directly relevant qualification and skill set to push their ambitions forward.