Film Studies Audio-Visual
Entry requirements
To apply for the PhD, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area.
You’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.
Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.
This is a practice-based PhD which means you'll need to provide a clear and coherent outline of your audio-visual methodology for creating your proposed practical output. This includes demonstrating an awareness of the ethical elements to your research.
See the Application Process section for more information.
Months of entry
January, September
Course content
Enhance your film-making skills on our practice-based Film Studies with Audio-Visual PhD. Film and edit your own practical output (a documentary, feature or portfolio of video work) to demonstrate your research. You'll be supported by academics specialising in Film Studies, plus experienced media technicians and screenwriters.
Explore and examine how film can be used to interrogate, teach and learn about the world. You'll bring together your creative, technical and critical abilities, completing the PhD with an original piece of film and a critical analysis.
Instead of writing a traditional thesis, you'll produce practice-based research. You'll create and edit an hour-long documentary, feature or portfolio of video work while producing a 30,000 word written defence.
Supported by our academic experts, you'll develop your practical film-making skills and ability to critically reflect on your work.
- Wide range of academic expertise across Film and TV, including specialisms in world cinema, film genres, television and audio-visual creative practice.
- Access our Film Editing Suite with exclusive filmmaking kits and cameras specifically for PhD researchers.
- Internationally recognised academics who frequently publish research and screen audio-visual works and films at UK and global conferences.
- Attend extracurricular research activities, from regular seminars to frequent screenings.
You can conduct this PhD over three years full time or six years part time. Due to the practical nature of this PhD, you can only study on-campus.
- There are no formal lectures or seminars in a PhD. Instead, you’ll undertake research under the expert guidance of a primary supervisor, co-supervisor and mentor, supported by complementary research and film equipment training.
- Your supervisory team will meet with you at regular intervals throughout your programme to offer guidance on how best to approach, implement and report on your research.
- You’re expected to take full responsibility for your work, developing your own timetable for your research project so you can successfully complete it on time.
Information for international students
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
Fees and funding
The College of Arts and Law is a vibrant community of students and academics, dedicated to ensuring that excellence is rewarded, and that fears about finance do not constrain current or prospective students. For this reason, in addition to University funding schemes, we offer our own College-specific funding initiatives.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- PhD
- full time36 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- part time72 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Postgraduate Enquiry Service