MPhil/PhD Intelligent Mobility

The Intelligent Mobility research programme explores novel vehicle types, services, and integrated city solutions.

Building on the RCA’s world-leading Intelligent Mobility MA programme, the Intelligent Mobility MPhil/PhD programme promotes critical and thoughtful research and design in the development of future mobility. 

It provides a design-led disruptive research environment focusing on new ways of designing vehicles, experiences, spaces and infrastructure that address societal issues. 

We welcome in particular proposals aligned to one or more of our Intelligent Mobility Design Centre studios, approaching mobility distinct yet complementary perspectives. 

The Automotive Transitions Studio focus is on vehicle design, exploring the paradigm shifts in the car industry, its transition to sustainability and its connection with car design heritage, material culture, fashion, and people’s aspirations.

The People and Places Studio approaches mobility from an integrated systems perspective and explores future urban mobility services; the design of mobility environments, experiences and the development of mass transport within our urban and extended environments.

Finally, the Humanising Technology Studio focuses on user experience and human factors that have been formed and transformed through trends in new mobility solutions and technologies. Topics include the creation of meaningful experiences; understanding fears, hopes and aspirations; and designing for experiential changes in current and future mobility.

Programme details

• PhD: 3–4 years (full time), 6–7 years (part time)
• MPhil: 2–3 years (full time), 4–6 years (part time)

Career opportunities

PhD study leads to a range of opportunities. You might become a researcher in industry or government or an academic in an international institution. It is an opportunity for you to investigate a research question or issue in depth, enabling you to take a more reflective, more innovative role in design.

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