National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries
Doctoral study
If you are looking for an internationally recognised degree of real distinction, and aspire to pursue an academic or research career in the creative arts and industries, we invite you to consider doctoral study at NICAI. We offer a range of PhD and named doctorate programmes in architecture, dance, fine arts, music, planning and urban design. Find out more at the links below.
You may already have decided on the area of research you wish to pursue in your chosen discipline. Before you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) however, it is important to consider your options carefully, depending on the kind of doctorate that will suit you best. All our doctoral programmes involve research that generally leads to a thesis, composition or performance, but there are various different combinations of written work and practice to choose from.
Doctoral programmes offered at NICAI
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Architecture
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Dance
Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Fine Arts
Doctor of Music (DMus)
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Music
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Planning
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Urban Design
Many of our staff are internationally and nationally esteemed researchers and creative practitioners. You will conduct your research with at least one experienced and specifically-trained supervisor, and you may have opportunities to work in a team, develop networks across the faculty and the University, and network with other researchers undertaking similar projects worldwide.
Find out about our supervisors' research interests and areas of expertise:
Find a supervisor – Architecture
Find a supervisor – Dance
Find a supervisor – Fine Arts
Find a supervisor – Music
Find a supervisor – Planning
Find a supervisor – Urban Design
To apply for a doctorate at NICAI, you will need to first complete and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) online. Your EOI gives us the information we need to assess you as a potential doctoral candidate and to advise you appropriately. You will need to provide us with relevant academic reports, English language proficiency test scores if applicable, letters of recommendation from previous professors/lecturers, and a 1000-word Statement of Research Intent outlining your intended research topic, your reasons for choosing this topic and an explanation of what you hope to achieve during your studies at NICAI. If you need help to complete and/or submit your online EOI form, please email us: eoihelp@auckland.ac.nz
Download NICAI Statement of Research Intent (121kB)
Read more about admission and enrolment
- There are a range of doctoral scholarships available, both NICAI-specific and University-wide.
Read more about doctoral scholarships at the University - Doctoral students can also seek support from the University’s PReSS (Postgraduate Research Student Support) fund. This fund can be used to cover direct research costs, conferences and materials that can’t be covered by other research grants.
Read more about PReSS accounts - The NICAI Conference and Creative Event Fund (CCEF) can provide support to doctoral students to attend conferences and other research-related events.
Read more about the NICAI CCEF - NICAI’s schools can provide support through PBRF funds where criteria for allocation of these funds include provision for support of postgraduate students. You will need to consult with your supervisor(s) or Head of School about these opportunities.
- For more information about financial support for doctoral students, visit the main University web page:
Fees and money matters
