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During my time here, I organised an international conference based around my subject involving delegates from 4 continents

Emily Baines
DMus, ‘Mechanical Musical Instruments as a Source for Historical Performance’

Emily Baines
The research community at Guildhall is a really interesting place to be

Stefania Donini
PhD

Stefania Donini
I found it very beneficial to take a break from a busy teaching career to think and reflect on my teaching value, principle and strategies

Yushan Li
PGCert Performance Teaching

Yushan Li
Studying at Guildhall is really cool because you are in a setting where the arts are valued by an entire community

Natasha Mbwana
BA Performance & Creative Enterprise

Natasha Mbwana
The projects we work on are real - we are in effect constantly getting work experience

Laurie Lumley
BA Video Design for Live Performance

Laurie Lumley
Guildhall is an institution that knows it has to be connected to the outside world - that's the key thing. It's not a bubble. It has roots in the city and in the world.

Jonathan Ferrucci
Artist Diploma Piano

Jonathan Ferrucci
One minute you could be playing in the Guildhall Studio Orchestra with jazz musicians, the next you could be playing in the opera pit, then the next minute you'll be with actors doing the musical and then playing a symphony in the orchestra.

Millie Ashton
BMus Violin

Millie Ashton
I had access to people I would never have been able to meet as a young composer starting out.

Na'ama Zisser
Doctoral Composer in Residence

Na'ama Zisser
I knew about the fantastic tutoring and resources, but the friendly and stimulating environment clinched it for me.

Eden Lonsdale
BMus Composition

Eden Lonsdale
I had the opportunity to play percussion with the Guildhall Studio Orchestra which gave me the chance to learn from, and play alongside, amazing senior players, as well as to perform with the incredible Liane Carroll.

Dave Adsett
BMus Jazz Drums

Dave Adsett
At Guildhall, they don't hold your hand, but they're going to push you to become the actor that you want to be.

Daniel Adeosun
BA Acting

Daniel Adeosun
It's the scale of productions that really makes Guildhall stand out. It gets to the point where you think, wow, this is massive. In other places, you just wouldn't have that opportunity to learn on the job.

Sian Clare
BA Technical Theatre Arts (Costume)

Sian Clare
Home > About the School > Research > Doctoral Research > About the programme

About the programme

Structure and assessment

A research degree is a largely independent endeavour: you pursue a self-directed research project that culminates in the submission of a thesis which may include elements of artistic practice. A doctoral degree will normally be completed after three years of full-time study, followed by either a one-year period of ‘writing-up’ or a further year of supervision. The degree is also available on a part-time basis. 

There are two formal assessment points: the ‘upgrade’ and the final submission. Students initially register for the MPhil degree, transferring to DMus/PhD status occurs after one full year of study through the ‘upgrade’. For this examination, you will submit a sample of your research and undergo a viva. The degree also culminates in the submission of a thesis and viva. The format of your submission will vary according to your research, but it will be the include a written element (of between 13,000 and 80,000 words) and, in some cases, practical elements such as recitals, performances, scores and recordings. The submission will form the equivalent of 80,000 words in total. The format of the submitted material will be agreed with supervisors and the doctoral team as you progress through your final year.

Guildhall School provides a comprehensive package of support to ensure that you keep on track.

Supervision

Each student on the doctoral programme is allocated a supervisory team, made up of at least two members of staff who have the appropriate combination of academic and artistic expertise. You will meet regularly with your supervisors to report your progress, get feedback on your ideas and draft material, discuss key debates in your field of research and prepare for examination.

Induction and Research Training

Our induction programme welcomes you to the doctoral community and to the wide range of facilities and services provided by the School. This is followed by a weekly programme of specialist research training. The morning sessions are targeted at first year students (or as a ‘refresher’ for continuing students) covering a range of topics including working with supervisors, using research tools, key methodologies such as practice-based research, writing workshops, preparing for assessment and transferable skills such as inter-personal skills and wellbeing. The afternoon sessions are for all students. They include opportunities to share your research with your peers, guest sessions with leading researchers and professional skills such as conference presentation and academic publishing.

Research community and resources

Our research students are the foundation of Guildhall School’s blossoming research culture, which encompasses over 50 students and around 40 research-active staff and associates. Opportunities to engage in this community include our regular ResearchWorks series (which includes a termly doctoral student panel), research project activities, conferences and a vibrant events programme. Research is also supported by specialist libraries at Guildhall School, Barbican and City University; comprehensive student support services; outstanding facilities; and association with external resources such as the Institute of Musical Research and the Theatre and Performance Research Association.

Doctoral programme team

The doctoral programme is run by a dedicated team as part of Guildhall's Innovation Team. 

Dr Cormac Newark - Head of Research

Cormac is responsible for the development of the School's research activity including both staff research and the doctoral programme. His own research focuses on nineteenth-century French and Italian opera and literature.

Dr Alex Mermikides - Doctoral Programme Leader

Alex directs the doctoral research programme. Combining scholarship and practice, she is a maker of devised and interdisciplinary performance currently focused on the interface between theatre and medicine. 

Dr Biranda Ford - Graduate Training and Development Leader

Specialising in music education and pedagogies, Biranda runs the research training programme for doctoral students. 

Sarah Bell - Doctoral Research Coordinator

Sarah is responsible for the day to day running of the doctoral programme. If you have enquiries about the programme, please contact Sarah on research_applications@gsmd.ac.uk.