Research degrees

Most of our academic departments offer research opportunities, and we attract students from all over the world to study for an MPhil or PhD.

Being a researcher is a transformative experience that will prepare you for leadership and innovation in your chosen field. We have around 600 research students, and community and collaboration are vital to the research experience here.

79% of our research has been rated worldleading or internationally excellent – the highest levels possible – in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

You will have a main supervisor and a second supervisor. During your first three months at Goldsmiths your supervisors will help you draw up a research plan and set detailed objectives for your first year. They will also be available to offer advice and suggestions as the project evolves, and you’ll receive regular one-to-one tutorials.

Throughout your programme you’ll progress with your independent learning, but there are also lots of training and professional development opportunities that you can access. And each year you’ll complete an annual progress report to reflect on how your research is developing. You’ll be assessed on your thesis (which may contain a practical component depending on your research), and on an oral examination (viva voce).

During your PhD you can undertake training to develop your research skills. Some of this will be delivered through your supervision, while some departments organise discipline-specific seminars and training courses.

The Graduate School acts as your advocate within Goldsmiths, giving you advice and direction if you need it, and providing dedicated research facilities and training to make sure you’re well equipped for the challenges of graduate research. It also offers funds to enable you to attend conferences and/or conduct research at other institutions, and to develop your own conferences and events at Goldsmiths. gold.ac.uk/graduate-school