PhD / MRes Programmes
SARC: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Sound and Music is established as a broad research environment supporting work in all areas of sound and music. The PhD and MRes programmes range from thesis focused to creative practice portfolio, with options for hybrid models combining practice and theory. Areas of research include: historical and critical musicology, sound studies, composition, socially engaged arts, performance studies, improvisation, interaction design, instrument design, audio signal processing, immersive sound and psychoacoustics.
SARC membership includes over forty academics from across various Schools in the University including the School of Arts English and Languages, School of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics and the School of Natural and Built Environment. As a dynamic and international community of researchers, SARC hosts regular events with invited scholars, researchers and artists. The postgraduate cohort is core to the research culture and includes over thirty students from various backgrounds and nationalities.
SARC membership includes over forty academics from across various Schools in the University including the School of Arts English and Languages, School of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics and the School of Natural and Built Environment. As a dynamic and international community of researchers, SARC hosts regular events with invited scholars, researchers and artists. The postgraduate cohort is core to the research culture and includes over thirty students from various backgrounds and nationalities.
The SARC postgraduate community is a vibrant multidisciplinary group which supports both individual and team-based collaborative research. The SARC PhD Lead role has been established to ensure the PhD voice is present as we plan activities and strategy for the future. The PhD Lead is a member of the SARC Steering Committee and plays a key role in highlighting research opportunities and curating events with invited researchers and artists. Weekly concert and seminar series provides an opportunity to engage with a broad range of research in sound and music as well as network building. Research interest groups invite students to informal discussions around specific topics and open opportunities for collaboration.
Students have ample opportunities to share their ongoing work both informally and through events like the SARC Members Symposium. A number of opportunities for showcasing research take place in the context of the NI Science Festival, Sonorities Festival Belfast as well as events organised by Queen’s Graduate School. Students are able to access funds to travel to relevant conferences and festivals throughout their study.
To find a potential supervisor, please see the SARC Research Staff page or use Queen’s Find a Supervisor page
If you are thinking of applying you are encouraged to contact a potential supervisor to discuss your research project.
PhD
Mode of study/duration
Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).
Students work to a timetable agreed with their team of two supervisors, availing of training offered by the Graduate School and also undertaking a bespoke Programme of scholarly or artistic activities agreed with their supervisors. Students undergo a differentiation procedure (progression from MPhil to PhD), normally after the equivalent of 9 months of full-time study; progress thereafter is measured through a presentation of materials to an annual progress review panel. Students may register for a writing up year after the equivalent of 36 months of full-time study. Assessment is by dissertation (80,000 words), portfolio (scope to be agreed), or a mixture of contextual writing and portfolio submission - examined in viva format by one internal and one external examiner. The viva normally occurs after 3-4 years of full-time study or 6-8 years part-time study.
Many of our PhDs have assumed academic and research roles in Higher Education and Industry worldwide; some have taken on artistic residencies and thriving careers as freelance artists.
To find out more about previously submitted theses please see above.
At SARC, you'll have access to facilities and resources that can help you grow as a researcher. Hosting multiple yearly events with researchers, industry professionals, and artists which help guide student research and artistic practices. Most importantly, the collaborative and engaged research community at SARC provides students with a wealth of experiences to draw upon as they pursue their education. It is a shared space of knowledge, leading to open discussions about ideas, projects, and research. Georgios Varoutsos
PhD
“Undertaking a PhD at Queen’s has encouraged me to be a more reflective, rigorous, and articulate composer and researcher.
I’ve worked with well-respected composers and ensembles, including Michael Finnissy and The Royal String Quartet. I’ve participated in a residency in Sibiu, and a summer school at its ‘Northern Bridge’ partner Doncaster.” PhD Candidate
I had an immensely positive experience as a PhD student at SARC, which had a profound impact on both my academic and artistic growth.
The environment was truly inspiring, fostering an atmosphere of creativity and curiosity that encouraged me to explore and develop my ideas to the fullest. The range of events that take place, including afternoon concerts and seminars are a particular highlight. The staff are extremely generous with their time, all with an abundance of enthusiasm and good humour, and the wider research community was a source of invaluable guidance, support and camaraderie. Dr Michael McKnight, Ulster University
Entry Requirements
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. While a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) is not essential, it is desirable and applicants without this qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For international students, evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.
Application Process
Application is conducted through Queen’s Postgraduate Applications Portal. You will be asked to submit your CV, details of your qualifications, reference letters and a research proposal. If your project includes practice, examples of previous work are required and should be made available online. Please include links to a selection of 3-5 works and describe how these relate to your proposed project.
Funding
SARC PhD applicants can access a variety of studentship opportunities including the AHRC Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (http://www.northernbridge.ac.uk/) and DfE (Department for the Economy) studentships. For more information and deadline please visit https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/funding-scholarships/
MRes Arts and Humanities
The MRes (Masters by Research) in Arts and Humanities is a research preparation degree that offers students the opportunity to undertake advanced studies within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s. The course is structured around the personal research interests of each student and supported by a bespoke research preparation portfolio and a range of optional modules in areas related to the research.
Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years) basis.
The MRes is awarded to students who successfully complete four taught modules (80 CATS points) and a 20,000 word dissertation plus seminar presentation or final portfolio of similar depth and scope (100 CATS points).
Exit qualifications are available: students may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.
For more information please visit the MRes page {https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/arts-humanities-mres/}