Best Design Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025 - WeUni

Ph.D. in Information and Design Science Course

Takushoku University

Japan

IT & Computer Science, Design

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

As standard, at least three extra years. Foreign language proficiency tests. Research presentation. Publication of peer-reviewed papers. Doctoral thesis.

Ph.D. in Media Arts & Sciences

Indiana University Bloomington The Media School

United States of America (USA)

Communication, Design, Arts, Digital Marketing

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The freedom to research your passions. Whether you want to dive more deeply into a current interest or branch out into fresh fields of inquiry, we’ll prepare you for a successful career in academia. Our Ph.D. in media arts and sciences program is one of the top research programs in media and communication, with one of the most productive graduate student research records in the world.

English

Ph.D. in Architecture, Design, Planning

Università di Camerino - Scuola Internazionale di Studi Avanzati

Italy

Design, Urban Planning, Architecture

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Area: Architecture, Design, Planning

Italian, English

3 Years

Design, Environment and the Arts (History, Theory, and Criticism), PhD

Arizona State University Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

United States of America (USA)

Design, Art History, Humanities

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The PhD in Design, Environment and the Arts Program in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts has an explicit mission: to prepare students to become public intellectuals and transformative practitioners in shaping the environment at all scales – from the design of cities, buildings, and landscapes, to interiors, products and graphics.

English

3 Years

PhD in Design

Politecnico di Milano

Italy

Design

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The program educates researcher-designers to generate original insights in design, addressing contemporary societal challenges. It encompasses creating designs and proposals, developing implementation tools and methods, and critically analyzing design and its applications. The curriculum enhances analytical and design skills, teaches diverse research methodologies, and fosters collaboration. Graduates can pursue opportunities in universities, research centers, design firms, and public organizations.

English

3 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Interior Design

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Arts, Design

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Students of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Interior Design examine the planning, technical and decorative elements required to design the interiors of residential and commercial buildings.

English

2 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Architecture and Architectural design

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Architecture, Design

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

In this research programme, the final thesis should offer an essential knowledge of the field of architectural design, taking into account the latest developments in design and new trends, including the use of new materials and new housing needs starting from the optimization of living spaces.

English

2 Years

Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts

The University of Texas at Dallas

United States of America (USA)

Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Film Studies, Arts, Fashion Design, Design, Photography, Fine Arts, Interior Design, Music

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. in Visual and Performing Arts degree program is designed primarily for individuals who wish to conduct advanced research and to teach at the college level and can lead to a wide variety of non-academic careers as well. Visual and Performing Arts is an interdisciplinary program of study, so students take the majority of their coursework in Visual and Performing Arts courses, but must also take two seminars each in both History of Ideas and Literature.

English

4 Years

8 Best Design Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025

Ph.D. in Information and Design Science Course

Ph.D. in Media Arts & Sciences

Ph.D. in Architecture, Design, Planning

Design, Environment and the Arts (History, Theory, and Criticism), PhD

PhD in Design

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Interior Design

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Architecture and Architectural design

Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts

Doctoral Degrees, Design