Research Degrees (MPhil/PhD) in Cultural Industries
SOAS University of London
Key Information
Campus location
London, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 4,670 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* full-time fees per academic year: UK/EU £4,670; Overseas £20,800. Part-time fees per academic year: UK/EU £2,335; Overseas £10,400
Introduction
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
This MPhil/PhD Cultural Industries research degree provides advanced training and research experience at a doctoral level in the broad areas at the intersection of the Arts and cultural production and the cultural economy. It will be particularly focused on the area of Cultural and Creative Industries practice and policy, work and social justice in the cultural industries, including issues such as curation, the politics of cultural production, independent cultural economies and moral economies.
This programme will allow students to draw on the wide expertise in the School of Arts in music, arts and film production, from the perspective of debates around the creative economy. It provides a core of training in research methods combined with a clear structure of progression thereafter.
Most SOAS research students spend some time doing fieldwork in the regions of their research. Through SOAS’ various connections with individuals and institutions in the universities and governments of Asia and Africa, students may be able to benefit from personal contacts and introductions.
Why study Cultural Industries at SOAS
- SOAS is ranked in the World Top 50 in the 2021 QS World University Rankings for Arts and Humanities.
- Students gain access to world-leading experts on the music, culture and traditions of Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
- The unique regional focus available at SOAS means that our students are supported in the study of particular regions, art forms or themes.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
In year one, students are required to follow a course of research training shared across the School of Arts, with dedicated breakout sessions appropriate to the pathway. In addition, students may be required to take one or more postgraduate courses (e.g. Theory and Method in Ethnomusicology or Theory and Method in Art History), depending on their prior qualifications and the requirements of their research project.
Students are also expected to attend departmental research seminars.
An annual training plan is to be agreed upon with the lead supervisor to help ensure students have the requisite skills to undertake their planned research and produce a thesis of the required academic standard.
Research proposal/upgrade paper
In term 3 of Year 1 (full-time) or term 3 of Year 2 (part-time), students submit a Research Proposal/Upgrade Paper of about 12,000 words, typically including the following elements:
- Research rationale and context of the proposed research
- Main research questions
- Literature review
- Theoretical and methodological framework & considerations
- Proposed research methods
- Ethical issues (where applicable)
- Work Plan and Budget
- Bibliography
Adjustments to one or more of these sections, including additions or deletions where appropriate, are possible by prior arrangements between the student and the supervisory committee.
This research proposal/upgrade paper is assessed by the student’s supervisory committee in an oral exam (viva voce), lasting up to one hour. Prior to the viva voce, the student will have presented an earlier version of the research proposal/upgrade paper in a departmental research seminar, involving a 20-minute oral presentation, followed by a discussion, also open to other staff and students.
Year 2, 3 and 4
On successful completion of the viva voce, students are formally upgraded to PhD and proceed to the second year (full-time) or third year (part-time).
If the assessors consider there to be shortcomings in the research proposal/upgrade paper, a student will be asked to revise it to their satisfaction before the upgrade to PhD status can be confirmed. Students are not permitted to proceed to the next year or to fieldwork until the upgrade process has been completed.
Thesis
The thesis must be in English, not be more than 100,000 words, excluding bibliography and appendix, be reflective of the investigation carried out whilst a postgraduate research student and form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject as set out in SOAS Postgraduate Research Degree Regulations.
Submission of the thesis is normally expected by the end of the third year, but when justified up to an additional three terms of enrolment may be agreed to enable the completion of writing-up of the thesis.
Students may not submit their thesis after four years of full-time registration (seven years for part-time) have elapsed.
The examination is by a minimum of two independent examiners at least one of whom is external to SOAS. The examination consists of an assessment of the thesis and a viva voce covering the thesis and the research upon which it is based.
Students successfully completing the programme are awarded a PhD in Cultural Industries.
Students who do not meet the requisite standard to achieve a PhD may, if they meet the requirements set out in SOAS Postgraduate Research Degree Regulations, be awarded an MPhil in Cultural Industries.
Important notice:
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session
Career Opportunities
Employment
Students in the School of Arts develop a critical and theoretically informed approach to global arts and culture. In addition to intercultural awareness and practical expertise, graduates gain a wide portfolio of transferable skills which are especially sought after in the creative and cultural industries.
Recent School of Arts graduates have been hired by:
- Christie’s
- Christine Park Gallery
- Crisis
- Design Museum
- Hong Kong Museum Of Art
- India Foundation For The Arts
- Japanese Gallery
- Museum of East Asian Art
- Music in Detention
- National Gallery
- Pan Arts
- People Projects Culture & Change
- Roundhouse Trust
- Somerset House Trust
- Songlines Magazine
- Sotheby's
- South Asian Art UK
- Stratford Circus Arts Centre
- Taiwan Embassy
- The Alliance for Global Education
- The British Embassy
- The National Museum Of Korea
- The Royal Collection
- Victoria and Albert Museum
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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