University of Manchester - virtual open day (online only)
20 Apr 2026, 15:00
Manchester
This programme offers the opportunity to conduct in-depth research in an area of particular interest. Our research interests are wide-ranging.
Strengths include:
medieval Italy;
Italian and Northern Renaissance;
Renaissance print culture;
history of architecture;
art and science;
British art in the 18th and 19th centuries;
Romanticism and its reception;
the history and theory of the avant-garde;
art and sexuality;
modernism and post-colonialism;
art and psychoanalysis;
poststructuralism;
history and theory of photography;
experimental art-writing;
contemporary Chinese art
post-conceptual contemporary art
modern art in India.
You will prepare your thesis under the guidance of two supervisors. Progress is monitored at regular meetings of your research panel (two supervisors plus an independent reviewer). The aim of the programme is to support you in becoming an independent researcher. We encourage you to disseminate your work at seminars and conferences, and in recognised journals or equivalents publications.
The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation that makes an original contribution to art historical knowledge. As a postgraduate researcher in the department of Art History and Cultural Practices, you will join a vibrant community with access to exciting research seminars and other events, such the Visiting Pilkington Professor series and the Whitworth Studies series.
Choose a specific option to see funding information.
Course optionsThere are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.
To apply for University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including AHRC NWCDTP and School of Arts, Languages and Cultures studentships is 13 January 2025.
All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting the funding application form and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form.
You will need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor for a number of our scholarships. Therefore, we highly recommend you discuss these funding opportunities with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and ensure you meet nomination deadlines.
For more funding information, visit our funding page or our funding database to search for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
Email:PhDSALC@manchester.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)161 275 3559
At University of Manchester