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An open folder with various colourful designs and line drawing. A person takes a photo on their phone of a colourful design from the right-hand side.

MRes Arts

  • Mode of study: Full-time only

Overview

The MRes Arts (Master of Research) is a qualification specifically aimed at makers, designers and thinkers who wish to undertake an independent, critical and creative study within and across the disciplines offered by the university.

This course can be studied full-time from September.

Course information

Our MRes Arts programme aims to develop your research skills and provide a good preparation for doctoral study.

We provide an opportunity for individuals from a range of creative and academic backgrounds to gain a critical appreciation of maker cultures to advance innovative research practices in the arts.

The MRes Arts offers a unique foundation for innovative research in the arts, media, performance, design and architecture. It asks you to engage in a socially and ethically responsible research practice where making, in its varied manifestations across the arts, occupies a central part of the research approach. You will be encouraged to develop new ways of looking, reading and understanding our interaction with things, the environment and each other. You will follow a programme of study which combines practical and theoretical approaches to making and maker cultures, emphasising the knowledge and skills needed for doctoral study.

You will be supported in developing your own disciplinary, or cross-disciplinary research area by engaging with the diverse expertise across Arts University Bournemouth. You will develop mastery in the theories, methods and practices of research through independent study and a taught programme of lectures, seminars and workshops offered by researchers and professionals working in the field.

Central to the course is your Independent Research Project, which is developed from your initial proposal submitted as part of your application. The Independent Research Project will combine documentation of practical work, critical reflection and contextualisation into an integrated thesis of 15,000-20,000 words.

On completion of the course, you will have gained intellectual, technical and professional skills which will allow you to conduct high-quality research. This will prepare you for further study at doctoral level (PhD) or as part of research-led projects in the creative and cultural industries.

As part of the course you will:

  • Create and take part in current critical practice and debate at the forefront of your discipline.
  • Gain skills in research, analysis, conceptualisation, argumentation, presentation and complex problem-solving.
  • Develop confidence for PhD study.
  • Develop the necessary competence for initiating and managing advanced research projects in the creative and cultural industries.

The course comprises three units of study:

  • Research Practices in the Arts: an introduction to practical and theoretical approaches to research (60 credits).
  • Independent Research Project 1: independent exploration of your research question through experimentation, case study or pilot study, to test your methodological approach (60 credits).
  • Independent Research Project 2: synthesis of your research findings and presentation of your investigation (60 credits).

Meet the course team

Dr Willem de Bruijn Senior Lecturer – BA (Hons) Architecture and Postgraduate Course Tutor – MRes Arts

PhD, M.Sc., FHEA

Headshot for E Shercliff
Dr Emma Shercliff Associate Professor of Textiles and Participatory Making, Associate Director of the Graduate School (Research), Course Tutor (MRes Arts)

PhD, BA(Hons), FHEA

Supervisory tutors

Dr Petronilla Whitfield Associate Professor in Voice and Acting 

PhD, MA, PGCE, Drama Dip, SFHEA

Dr Amanda Stephenson Senior Lecturer in Contextual Studies

PhD, MA, BA, PGCE, FHEA

Dr Romana Turina Associate Professor – BA (Hons) Film Production

PhD, MA, PGCE, FHEA, SEDA

Dr Emilie Giles Senior Lecturer

FHEA, PGCert, PhD, MA, BA (Hons)

Email me egiles@aub.ac.uk
Headshot for Dr H Walter
Dr Helen Walter Course Leader – MA Historical Costume

PhD (RCA/V&A), PGCAP, MA (Cantab), MA (Courtauld), FHEA

Looking to be inspired? Browse our gallery of student work and research in action.

The MRes Arts offers a great opportunity for anyone working in the arts to develop advanced research skills, either in preparation for PhD study or any other ambitious research project within the arts sector.

Dr. Emma Shercliff, Course Tutor

Student theses

Get more of a flavour of the MRes Arts course by exploring some of our students' thesis titles and abstracts.

A collection of prints showing statues, illustrations and people.

Louise Bassou

Bassou, L. (2023). Designing non-binary characters.

A collection of doodles and illustrations on a large piece of paper

Katie Green

Green, K. (2022). The art of distraction: contemporary illustration and positive distraction in paediatric wards.

Close-up of a girl's face from a TikTok video. Part of a caption appears at the top of the screen reading "volunteers - right if nobody puts their hands up I'm going to have to pick on people I'm going to have to be the bad guy."

Dana Halliwell

Halliwell, D., (2021). A dyslexic perspective on exploring individuality in an assessed reflective essay: developing an alternative...

A top-down view of a collection of blue printed illustrations on cream-coloured pages

Sarah James

James, S. (2023). Audio-visualising the Mary Appleby Harper folders.

A human figure made up of horizontal sound lines and bars of varying thicknesses, on a black background.

Luke Kandiah

Kandiah, L. (2022). Sonic hauntings: navigating the White Cube through sound.

Artist Kathy Kincel working on a tutu

Kathy Kincel

Kincel, K. (2022). The reconstructed tutu: researching 20th century tutus from a maker’s perspective.

Pink banner with the text "how to sample words like vaporwave samples sounds (it's easier than you think)".

Taran Knight

Knight, T. (2021). Vade mecum: a handbook of creative writing.

The MRes Arts created an inviting, exciting space for me to reassess my creative writing practice from so many different perspectives. Suddenly, the skills I had gained during my BA were subject to new challenges, considerations, and interdisciplinary contexts. The question was no longer ‘how to’ create; it was ‘why’ create, and the journey I took to answer this for myself was thrilling.

Taran Knight, 2021 graduate

How to apply

To apply, you’ll need to complete an application form on our online application portal. You’re required to include a project proposal which outlines your specific area of interest and your focus for investigation, as well as a personal statement which explains your motivation for applying for this programme of study, and any relevant experience or skills. We can only accept candidates with projects which are aligned to our staff expertise. If you have any queries about the course, please contact one of the course tutors: Dr Emma Shercliff or Dr Willem de Bruijn.

We aim to interview all applicants who demonstrate the potential to succeed on the course. Interviews are used to assess whether you have the necessary skills and capabilities and whether this programme is appropriate to your interests and aspirations.

Fees and funding

The tuition fees you pay will vary depending on the subject area and the type of postgraduate study you're embarking on. The fee that you pay AUB provides the necessary equipment and training for you to complete your course.

We also have a number of progression discounts and bursaries available to go towards paying for your studies.

Computer equipment

You may also choose to buy some items or personal equipment such as a laptop, tablet or computer. This isn't a requirement as desktop and laptop computers are available for you to use in common study areas, including a loan system in the Library.

For those who want to do research at the forefront of their discipline and look beyond their discipline to share knowledge and ideas, the MRes Arts provides a unique platform for discussion and debate across the arts, design, media, performance and architecture.

Dr. Willem de Bruijn, Course Tutor

Trips and visits

People gathered around a large table looking at colour illustrations in plastic wallets.

Drawing Matter, Somerset

Students from the MRes Arts and Master of Architecture courses at AUB joined staff for a very special visit to Drawing Matter...

Latest from MRes Arts

See more of our student work

Head over to our social channels to see more creative work from our students

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