Key information
- Funding
- Self-funded
- School
- Textiles and Design
- Location
- Scottish Borders
- Award
- PhD
- Delivery type
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start date
- September
The Design PhD can be supported in any design-related topic covered by a supervisor's expertise and the school's facilities - which include Adobe suite software, traditional and rapid prototyping facilities, and laser pattern cutting etc. While the Design PhD follows similar principles to all other forms of PhD, its distinguishing feature is that it uses design processes as one of its main primary research methods and that some of its outcomes will be physical or digital artefacts - which will be documented in your thesis alongside other findings and methods.
Previous Design PhDs have included biophilic design of health spaces, co-design, exploring the relationship between heritage and innovations in traditional products, design to optimise sustainability and minimise harm, the impact of surface design on size perception etc.
Entry requirements
Candidate criteria
Contact the School to discuss. You should also refer to our PhD pages for advice on undertaking a research degree and developing your research proposal.
Funding information
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £5,151 | £2,575.50 |
| England / Wales / N Ireland | £5,151 | £2,575.50 |
| International | £20,456 | £10,228 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Additional information
Please note that all PhD Opportunities are self-funded and the above fees are based on an annual figure which may increase year on year.
PhD Scholarships for the School of Textiles and Design are rare and highly sought after. Please refer to our PhD Scholarship page for more information.
We offer a number of competitive funded scholarships for research degrees. Full or partial support may be available for well-qualified candidates from UK research councils, research pools, charities or industry.
View our full range of scholarships.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
