Research course

Materials Science MPhil/PhD

Institution
Royal College of Art · School of Design
Qualifications
MPhil/PhD

Entry requirements

The programme welcomes applications from candidates from across the world and of all ages, including those with academic and professional backgrounds. Applications are considered in terms of quality of proposal, quality of practice (where appropriate), readiness to undertake a research degree at this level and supervisory capacity.

Visit the RCA website for application dates, details and full entry requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Materials research for real world challenges. Study at the World's number one ranked art and design university for seven consecutive years (2015-2021) in the QS World University Subject Rankings.

The Materials Science Research Centre MPhil/PhD programme focuses on the invention and the experience of materials to address real world challenges, such as environmental sustainability, and human health and wellbeing.
Our research areas include:
  • regenerative and circular materials
  • programmable biomaterials
  • materials systems, such as bio-mimetic approaches to develop and manufacture materials and structures
  • digital materials for new typologies of tangible interfaces
  • the human experience of materials to gain a deep understanding of perceptual experience (analogue and digital)
Our approach to these areas includes the design and manufacture of materials for different applications at different scales - in the body, on the body, interaction with the body, the body in (a space).
We encourage students to pioneer interdisciplinary research that spans materials science, chemistry and engineering, biology, bioscience, materials design, computer science, human-computer interaction, human-centred design, phenomenology, neuroscience, experimental psychology, and psychophysics. The concepts of sustainability and creativity underpin research at every level - from the material, through manufacturing, to the use phase.

The RCA also offers a Masters of Research (MRes), a one year, full-time taught degree that provides effective preparation for PhD study.

Open Days
Join an RCA online or on-campus open day to find out more about this programme - RCA Open Days.

Department specialisms

regenerative and circular materials; programmable biomaterials; materials systems (such as bio-mimetic approaches to develop and manufacture materials and structures); digital materials for new typologies of tangible interfaces; the human experience of materials to gain a deep understanding of perceptual experience (analogue and digital).

Fees and funding

Visit the RCA website to find out more about scholarships and funding opportunities.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MPhil/PhD
    full time
    36 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    part time
    48 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
RCA Student Recruitment
Email
recruitment@rca.ac.uk