Sydney College of the Arts

The Doctor of Philosophy is a University degree governed by Resolutions set down by the Academic Board. You should be familiar with the Academic Board documents: University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 and Thesis and Examination of Higher Degree by Research Policy 2015 available at sydney.edu.au/policies/

At SCA, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program constitutes independent research in an aspect of the visual arts. The degree is awarded for the successful completion of an approved program of supervised advanced research, which makes an original contribution to knowledge.

The PhD candidature represents an opportunity to explore a single research topic reflecting a critical exploration of the history, theory and practice of art; the development of new materials or technologies; the relationship between visual art and society, and/or the relationship between visual art and other disciplines. A PhD provides you with an opportunity to explore career and research options beyond studio practice.

Duration of the degree is three years to four years full time or six to eight years part time. You are expected to study full time in your first year of candidature unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as major personal hardship or health problems.

At the beginning of your course you are required to nominate one of the following methods of candidature:

• a thesis comprising a substantial body of creative work plus a written text examining the histories and theoretical underpinnings of the creative work, both of which demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge or
• a substantial written thesis that, through a sustained investigation, demonstrates an original contribution to knowledge in the field of the history and theory of contemporary art.

In Option (1), the creative work must represent a significant and coherent solo exhibition. You need to obtain a pass for both the written text and creative work for the degree to be awarded.

The length of the written thesis is agreed through consultation between you, your supervisor and the Graduate School Director. Any changes would have to be approved by the supervisor and the Graduate School Director. The expectations for Option (1) are in the vicinity of 40,000-50,000 words, and in the vicinity of 60,000-80,000 words for Option (2).

First Year

Probationary period

The first year of the PhD program at SCA is a probationary year for all new candidates. At the end of your first year of candidature, we expect you to have achieved the following milestones:

• you have a clearly articulated research question
• you have completed a literature review or introduction of 7000 – 10,000 words
• you have a complete outline of the written component of your thesis, with draft chapter headings, sub-headings and a brief abstract of each chapter
• you have commenced a small body of studio work within the time you have been enrolled in the degree
• you have attended the Introductory PhD seminar program and at least 3 of the 4 thesis writing seminars.

PhD Seminar Program

All PhD candidates must complete CART7005 Art as Research, a seminar series on practice-led research, in their first research period.

All other seminars are held as stand-alone two-hour workshops throughout the first year of candidature.

The seminars are designed to introduce candidates to

• the principles of practice-led research and scholarly definitions of knowledge and research
• structuring and writing a literature review in the field of contemporary art
• how to structure an 'art practice as research' thesis
• developing a position from exploratory research

Details of the seminars and workshops are communicated to candidates' University email accounts prior to commencement and at regular intervals throughout the year.

Probation review

During your first progress review, you will give a presentation on your work to date (both creative and written work). This 15-minute presentation will be followed by a 15-minute discussion/interview in which your progress is discussed.
Your review panel is authorised to recommend a change of probationary enrolment to normal candidature.

Your progress review is administered by the HDR Administration Centre, who provide full guidelines on your progress plan, report and review.

Second and Third Years

Graduate School Forum

All PhD candidates are required to attend the Graduate School Forum once they have completed the first semester of their candidature and must present a paper each year on the current state of their research. Each presentation session is chaired by a fellow candidate.

Candidates who are unable to attend a presentation must have their supervisor's support and request approval in writing from the HDR Coordinator.

Examination

Thesus Submission and Examination

At the end of your final year (the third or fourth year of full time candidature), you must submit for examination:

• a thesis comprising a substantial body of creative work for exhibition plus a written 40,000 to 50,000-word text examining the histories and theoretical underpinnings of the creative work, both of which demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge; or
• a substantial 60,000 to 80,000 word written thesis that, through sustained investigation, demonstrates an original contribution to knowledge in the field of the history and theory of contemporary art.

The thesis should:

• be a substantially original contribution to the knowledge of the subject concerned,
• afford evidence of originality by the discovery of new facts, and/or
• afford evidence of originality by the exercising of independent critical ability,
• be satisfactory as regards literary presentation, and
• contain a substantial amount of material which is suitable for publication.

For information on supervision, annual progress reviews and examination procedures please refer to the Higher Degree by Research website.