Masters by Research in Creative Arts - MRes *
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
The Masters by Research (MRes) Creative Arts course is a flexible research-based course designed to provide graduates with a foundation for a career in research, the public/private sector, the arts or academia (i.e. PhD studies)....
- Level Postgraduate Research
- Study mode Full Time
- Award MRes
- Start date September 2025, January 2026
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
The Masters by Research (MRes) Creative Arts course is a flexible research-based course designed to provide graduates with a foundation for a career in research, the public/private sector, the arts or academia (i.e. PhD studies). The purpose is to offer high quality postgraduate training in methods and practice of research and relevant transferable skills that offer a unique learning experience to advance knowledge within your specialist area of the arts or humanities.
The MRes offers a foundation of advanced knowledge, specialist research skills and transferable attributes to prepare for academic and professional research careers. It seeks to develop reflexive independent researchers who can operate at the forefront of their academic discipline and of professional practice. The content and approach of the curriculum has a strong emphasis on independent scholarship and professional development. You will develop a keen understanding of research processes and methodologies, resulting in a research proposal and a reflection on your professional development and career ambitions.
The MRes Creative Arts allows integration with the wider community of arts and humanities research-orientated postgraduate students at Birmingham City University, ensuring a thriving culture of learning and investigation. The award explicitly prepare students for further doctoral study in their area of expertise, which is developed throughout their studies, culminating in an independent research project, either by dissertation or by practice and supported by expert supervision from leading researchers. Students are encouraged to organise and extend their learning in a way that suits their individual ambitions and needs.
What's covered in this course?
This course gives you the flexibility to choose your own specialist area to focus on within the Creative Arts, from either a practice or academic perspective. The course provides specialist research methods training to enable you to complete a major independent project.
You will be taught by experts from across the Creative Arts whose research is internationally excellent. You will work alongside other Creative Arts postgraduate research students and join a research cluster relevant to your discipline.
You'll also get the chance to showcase your work at research and exhibition events at the University.
The Masters by Research in Creative Arts is a focused postgraduate research course that gives students the chance to be in control of their own research project and develop their research skills within one of the UK’s leading Arts institutions.
Dave Harte
Why Choose Us?
- You will be part of a rich research tradition that stretches back to our foundation as a Government School of Design in 1843.
- Our research activity is characterised by collaboration and interdisciplinarity. Our researchers are artists, designers, architects, theorists and writers working in clusters defined through staff expertise and world-leading research.
- 100% of BCU's research in communication, culture, media, music, drama, performing arts, film and screen studies was rated either four-star or three-star for impact in the 2021 Research Excellent Framework.
- You'll instantly become part of the University’s 6,000-strong student community, and you will be supported by our highly experienced staff, who are all nationally and internationally active researchers.
- You will be taught by academics that have international reputations, producing globally significant research and creating substantial and far-reaching impact.
OPEN DAY
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Event: 28 June 2025
Research Interests
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MRes
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
- Register interest
Award: MRes
Starting: Jan 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
- Register interest
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MRes
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
Award: MRes
Starting: Jan 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
Entry Requirements
Minimum 2:2 UK degree or international equivalent in an arts, humanities or related subject area. Applicants should provide a personal statement of up to 750 words which sets out the area of the Creative Arts they wish to study. For applicants for a practice background, you should also provide a link to an online portfolio of your work.
International
Please see our international pages for further details of the entry requirements for our courses and information relevant to applicants from your country.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each band, or equivalent. See details of accepted qualifications.
Course in Depth
Level 7
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits)
This module enables you to develop and critically reflect on your research study and intended approach to carrying out your research in practice. On successfully completing the module you will be able to effectively articulate your research project and questions, the methods you intend to employ, the impact of your research and anticipated outcomes.
The module is intended to support the diverse mix of research interests and approaches across the Arts. It seeks to enhance your skills and confidence in positioning your research within a wider research context underpinned by a robust research question or challenge.
Additionally, you will gain an understanding of a spectrum of research methods and make informed decisions to engage with these as part of your research.
This module gives you the opportunity to carry out a sustained, in-depth, and theoretically informed research project in an area that genuinely interests you. You'll be guided toward selecting a topic relevant to your discipline and one that aligns with staff expertise, ensuring appropriate support.
Your final project may be a written dissertation or a practical outcome accompanied by critical and contextual reflection. While you're expected to work independently, you’ll receive one-to-one support from a supervisor familiar with your topic.
How you learn
You will be taught within an environment that encourages critical debate, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration. You will receive guidance through seminars, workshops and tutorials to define your research focus and manage your learning.
In the taught module you will have guest lectures from active research staff and industry professionals. You will work alongside other research students to identify issues in your field and propose original solutions.
You will be assigned a research supervisor but also receive input on your research development from other research staff and peers through membership of a research cluster. You will be an active member of your subject area’s research community.
Employability
The course includes several targeted elements to enhance your employability in the creative and cultural sectors:
- Skills and knowledge audit. At the start of the programme, a creative skills and knowledge audit helps you identify your strengths and areas for development, allowing for personalised support that aligns with professional opportunities in the arts.
- Industry engagement opportunities. Through researcher and artist talks, industry panels and workshops, you'll engage with practitioners, curators, producers, and arts organisations – building networks and gaining valuable insight into creative careers.
- Training in research methods. You will develop confidence in essential research methods and tools which are widely used in arts research, media production, and cultural project delivery.
- Real-world application of creative research. The course emphasises the use of research and practice-based inquiry to explore and address contemporary issues in the arts, enhancing your ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and deliver meaningful cultural work.
- Reflective practice. Embedded throughout your studies, reflective practice supports the development of your creative voice and professional identity, encouraging ongoing self-evaluation and adaptability, key traits in the dynamic and evolving creative industries.
Graduate jobs
Graduates of the MRes Creative Arts can work across a range of sectors that require research skills and critical thinking. The course can also be a key development point for your own creative practice while also being suitable for those planning to continue to further study on a PhD.
Links to industry
The university maintains extensive connections within the creative sector, establishing links across the region, nationally, and internationally. This network offers significant practical advantages for students. Regionally, partnerships with organisations such as the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Ikon Gallery, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), the Hippodrome, and the Library of Birmingham allow students to engage directly with local creative communities. This provides first-hand experience within the arts and culture scene here in Birmingham.
On a national level, our collaborations with established institutions like Arts Council England and the Tate galleries broaden exposure to the wider UK arts landscape. These links help students understand the broader context and opportunities within the creative industries nationwide.
Furthermore, our researchers frequently collaborate with the creative sector on research projects. We have worked closely with Birmingham-based groups including Sampad, Vivid Arts, and the GAP Arts Project. Nationally, our partners include the Crafts Council, the British Library, and the British Film Institute. Internationally, we collaborate with organisations such as Meedan in the USA, the Women in Cinema Collective in India, and the Schwules Museum in Germany. These diverse partnerships highlight the university's active involvement and collaborative efforts across the creative world.
Facilities & Staff
Our creative degrees are housed in the state of the art £62 million Parkside Building, part of our City Centre Campus.
We offer extensive studio and workshop space and cutting-edge equipment such as Vicon 3D (an external tracking motion capture facility) and Gypsy (an exoskeleton-based motion capture system). Both of these systems extend the possibility for production of 3D animation and films.
We offer cutting-edge provision such as digital print centres and Sonny Ross became the first Arts, Design and Media student to master the art of the RISO machine. He has since used this to produce many successful RISO publications including “Rojo & Baxter” which has been a success at various zine and book fairs across the country.
The Parkside Building also offers:
- exhibition space
- digital and analogue photographic facilities and studios
- dark rooms
Birmingham City University has world-class facilities in all areas of the creative arts including fine art and design studios, and also extensive television and radio studios.