Design PhD
Lancaster University
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.1) View reviews

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
2 options available
academic-cap
Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

location-pin
Location

Lancaster University

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

03-OCT-25

time
Duration

3 years

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Lancaster University

Study mode

Full time

Start date

03-OCT-25

Duration

3 years

SELECTED

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Lancaster University

Study mode

Part time

Start date

03-OCT-25

Duration

4 years

SELECT

Subjects

Select a subject


Art & Design
SELECTED

Exam type

Select a an exam type


Location

Select student location


Domestic
SELECTED

EU
SELECT

Rest of World
SELECT

Course info

Your Design PhD at Lancaster can focus on one of a wide range of topics within Design or on a research topic that crosses different disciplines. As a PhD student you will normally be supervised by a team of two supervisors who will ensure that you receive focused critical feedback and encouragement throughout the programme. In some cases the second supervisor will be based in a different discipline within the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA), or a different department within ...Read more

Your Design PhD at Lancaster can focus on one of a wide range of topics within Design or on a research topic that crosses different disciplines. As a PhD student you will normally be supervised by a team of two supervisors who will ensure that you receive focused critical feedback and encouragement throughout the programme. In some cases the second supervisor will be based in a different discipline within the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA), or a different department within the university in order to ensure that you have the most appropriate supervisory team for your chosen project.

Previously, we have supervised PhD projects on an wide variety of topics in areas such as design management, policy and leadership; urban design and future cities; speculative design, design fiction and design as rhetoric; user-centred and user-led design; design for health; design for ageing; design education; design theory; design for sustainability; design and traditional knowledge and practices; and human-computer interaction and digital fabrication. In the past, many of our Design PhD students have conducted field research in other parts of the UK and abroad, including the US, Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand and China. We encourage our Design PhD students to develop their work into papers for presentation at international design conferences and for publication in academic journals.

You can take your Design PhD at Lancaster either in the standard format of a written thesis, or as a project that combines a written thesis with creative practical work. Many of our academic staff are engaged with practice-based research in the fields of design, art, theatre, and film and we have a dedicated team of technicians to support you as well as workshops, editing suites and technical resources for our students.

As a PhD student based in the LICA and part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), you will be part of a multidisciplinary community of research students, able to participate in seminars, reading groups, conferences, and research training courses. We also offer opportunities to study for a certificate in higher education teaching.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
65/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
7th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
10th
What students say
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14

It is very good here, the conversion rate for the IB is'nt realistic in comparison to A-levels therefore its much harder to get a scholarship. This is the same at most..Read more

Entry requirements

Master’s Degree: Master’s degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline. Undergraduate Degree: 2:1 (Hons) degree (UK or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline; We may also consider non-standard applicants.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£4,786 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

The fee mentioned is for 2024-25 academic year and there may be a slight increase in the fee for 2025-26 entry.

£21,920 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

£21,920 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Design (Non-Industrial) reviews

Design (Non-Industrial)
Design (Non-Industrial)
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14
Marketing and Design BSc (Hons)
It is very good here, the conversion rate for the IB is'nt realistic in comparison to A-levels therefore its much harder to get a scholarship. This is the same at most...
Read more
Review breakdown
University rating
University rating
Students' union
Societies and Sports
University halls
Facilities
Lecturers and teaching quality
Local life
Career prospects
Student support
Location
Campus look and feel
Student life
Course rating
Course content
Work placements and internships
Tutor contact time
Subject facilities
University location
Cost of living
Safety
Public transport
Part-time work opportunities
Graduate employment opportunities
Diversity
Location
Safety
Room allocation
Internet/wifi
Value for money
Property management

How Design (Non-Industrial) students rated:

Student rating
( 4.0) 3 reviews
5 star
0%
4 stars
100%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 1,333 reviews
5 star
33%
4 stars
53%
3 stars
13%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
Search reviews that mention

Uni info

Lancaster University
Bailrigg Lancaster Lancashire LA1 4YW United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Lancaster  1.7 miles away

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate