Doctor of Philosophy in Creative Arts and Media
Sunway College Johor Bahru · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Creative Arts and Media provides students with an opportunity to carry out interdisciplinary research and contribute new understandings and insights to disciplines aligned with the School of Arts.
You may opt for a conceptual or research-creation path, and the programme is culminating in a thesis that demonstrates mastery of the advanced points, craft and discipline of your chosen research area.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Develop your PhD research proposal (includes introduction, problem statement, research questions, objectives, literature review, methodology, and proposed timeline).
- Choose a conceptual or research-creation path aligned with disciplines in the School of Arts.
- Align your research approach with creative arts practice and the creation of artworks or other artefacts (where applicable).
- Establish historical, theoretical, or philosophical foundations for your research direction.
- Conduct interdisciplinary research and produce new understandings and insights in areas aligned with the School of Arts.
- Integrate creative arts practice and the creation of artworks or other artefacts as part of the research process.
- Use analytical interpretative inquiry into works and practices of creative arts and media.
- Develop your work through artistic or academic forms as part of your research pathway.
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Taught component | Research Methods | ||
| Semester 2 | Thesis progression | Proposal Defence | ||
| Semester 3 | Thesis work | Thesis |
Career outcomes
- You build strong research capability in creative arts and media, preparing you for academic roles and research-focused positions in Malaysia’s arts and creative industries ecosystem.
- Your work can support careers in arts and culture, because the PhD is structured around interdisciplinary research and new understandings in creative arts and media.
- You develop skills that are directly relevant to the creative industries, including integrating creative arts practice with research outcomes.
- If you are aiming for long-term growth, the programme’s pathways (conceptual or research-creation) help you establish a clear research identity that supports progression in academia and professional creative leadership.
Employability rate
For PhD graduates in creative arts and media in Malaysia, the employability rate is typically around 75% and the unemployment rate around 25%, reflecting that roles often depend on research output and project-based hiring.
Overall, graduates can expect more stable opportunities when they continue building a publication/portfolio record and network through academic and creative-industry activities.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree (or equivalent) | International applicants must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field (or its equivalent) with a minimum CGPA of 3.00. |
| Other qualifications (case-by-case) | Any other qualifications are considered on a case-to-case basis as accepted by the University Senate. |
| Interview requirement | Candidates are required to pass an interview conducted by a panel from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences to assess communication abilities and interest in research. |
Language requirements
For admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Creative Arts and Media, international applicants must meet the university English language requirement stated for the programme.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated total course fee | MYR 60100 / total program | Estimated total course fee (Year 2026) for international students: RM60,100. International students must pay fees in RM equivalent. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants are expected to be able to fund programme-related study costs in Malaysia. If your study will be financed by scholarship or a study loan, you should attach documentary evidence during the admission process.
- If your studies will be financed by scholarship or study loan, attach documentary evidence during application
- Provide financial proof for the Student Pass and study in Malaysia if requested during the international student process
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application portal opens |
| Application deadline (final submit) |
| Application deadline (EU students) |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Recommended apply-by |
| Semester begins |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone |
|---|
| VPD request - recommended |
| VPD result expected |
| APS - recommended |
| Start eligibility check |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application submission deadline |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Language certificate deadline |
| Official transcripts deadline |
| Certified translations deadline |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline |
| Missing documents (if requested) |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your documents for eligibility check
International applicants should prepare the completed Sunway Postgraduate Application Form and supporting documents required for an eligibility check. You will need items such as your curriculum vitae, your Bachelor’s/Master’s degree transcript(s), your completion certificate, and referee report(s) as specified by the programme instructions. Ensure your research proposal is ready, and prepare a portfolio only if you are applying with the aim of creative outputs.
Submit for programme eligibility and follow eligibility check guidance
Submit the completed application form and supporting documents to the programme as instructed for an eligibility check. After passing the eligibility check, the faculty administrator will brief you further about the application process and any additional documents required for progression. If the programme requires a portfolio for creative outputs, make sure it matches the portfolio guidance provided by the programme.
Complete the application procedure including interview
Proceed through the university’s postgraduate application procedure after your documents are assessed. Candidates are required to pass an interview conducted by a panel from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Use this stage to demonstrate your communication abilities and interest in research aligned with your proposed area of study.
Receive acceptance and proceed with Student Pass processing
If you meet the academic entry requirements, a Letter of Acceptance will be issued after receipt of complete documents and required fees. The college submits the application and documents to Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) for approval and Student Pass processing. After visa approval, you must follow Malaysia entry requirements, including applying for the Single Entry Visa (SEV) prior to travelling as applicable.