Edinburgh College of Art has a highly active research environment which supports the College's strong traditions of ground-breaking work at all scales. The 2001 and 2008 Research Assessment Exercises confirmed Edinburgh College of Art as one of Scotland's leading centres, with our academic staff producing work of national and international standing in ‘Art & Design’ and ‘Architecture and the Built Environment’.

Edinburgh College of Art continues to develop as a centre of excellence, extending the range of collaborators and co-funders working on innovative projects, such as the Scottish Documentary Institute, OPENspace and STONE, to name only three. We have active colleagues across the world, including in Japan, China, India, Switzerland, Denmark, and North America. Our specialist work does not stay in academia, as numerous creative industries, government bodies and cultural institutions all benefit from the work we do.

Edinburgh College of Art's leading edge research is funded and supported through research grants, consultancy and commercial contracts, museums, galleries and academic and independent publications. We have brought in over £2 million from external sources over the last five years to support our research.

Edinburgh College of Art offers flexible training for research at Masters and Doctorate level, covering a wide range of research foci including practice-based work. Higher research degrees are overseen and supported through the Graduate Research School, which supervises an established and expanding PhD programme. There are strong training and events programme links with the University of Edinburgh.