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Ph.d. in film & digital media.

The Ph.D. program in Film and Digital Media challenges the traditionally conceived borders between creative and critical practice. The program enables potential dialogue between creative practice and theoretical knowledge as related forms of intellectual work and provides the conditions for students to realize a wide range of possible projects, including those that exist across the traditional divides of critical studies and production. Focusing on a diverse range of cultural production that includes cinema, television, video art, and Internet-based media, the Ph.D. program participants interrogate the historical, aesthetic, political, ideological, and technological aspects of these media forms across a range of international contexts, investigating their points of connection and convergence as well as their relationship to broader cultural and historical change. The program thus prepares students for intellectually informed creative practice as well as theoretical and critical production in a range of environments, not limited to traditional academic contexts. 

Integrating critical and creative practice:  

In our research and teaching, we explore the intersections of what have been, or have become, separated modes in our field of media studies: theory and practice. We seek to nurture dialogue between creative practice and scholarly inquiry as related forms of intellectual work.

Working across media: 

Our approach to media studies and media production incorporates a range of technologies and platforms, stressing their historical and intertextual relationships.

Pursuing new modes of social and political engagement: 

Media literacy, broadly defined, is an essential component of participation in our increasingly mediated lives. A new generation of media makers and media interpreters has the power to re-shape the world.

Fostering global cultural citizenship: 

Making and studying media today necessitates a global and historical perspective. By thinking and working across boundaries of nation, culture and identity, we are creating new forms of knowledge and new media forms that respect and investigate differences of race, class, gender, sexuality and nation.

Film and Digital Media Ph.D. Program Learning Outcomes

Students who earn a Ph.D. in Film and Digital Media will gain the skills, knowledge, and understanding that will enable them to:

1. Demonstrate that student’s critical study of media informs the student’s media-making practices 2. Demonstrate knowledge of video and/or digital media production 3. Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills appropriate doctoral work in to the discipline of film and digital media 4. Demonstrate research skills appropriate to doctoral work in the discipline of film and digital media 5. Demonstrate scholarly writing skills appropriate to doctoral work in the discipline of film and digital media

Prospective Applicants:

Candidates must have demonstrated skill in critical, theoretical and historical scholarship, and a demonstrated interest in film, television, video and new media studies. We are particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated experience in some form of artistic production, and an interest in combining creative work with critical and theoretical study. 

Candidates should also be aware that we will prioritize those who, in their application, outline a project or form of work that integrates critical and creative work together in a hybrid form that would be difficult or impossible to pursue in a either a conventional humanities program or a studio or production degree program. The Ph.D. program in Film & Digital Media is designed to provide a platform for the creation of hybrid work that would not be possible to accomplish elsewhere.

For program requirements, please review our  Program Statement

For more information about UCSC applications, consult the  Graduate Division  website and their  Admissions Pages.

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Welcome to the Film and Media Studies Ph.D. Program

UC Irvine’s PhD program in Film and Media Studies offers students the opportunity to study and develop original research on film, television, and digital media. Rooted in the Humanities, we focus on interpreting the histories and theories of media and their cultural contexts.

Our curriculum provides a broad foundation in Film and Media Studies while also centering questions of media and power. Our course offerings emphasize post-colonial and decolonial approaches to film and media, queer theory and histories of gender and sexuality, critical race studies, video game studies, and archival research. We seek students who are deeply invested in understanding the perspectives of those who have been pushed to the margins of media technology, industries, and texts and in exploring the relationships between culture, identity, history, and power.

Located near Los Angeles, UC Irvine offers access to the rich cultural offerings and research institutions of Southern California. Students may choose to supplement their Film and Media Studies degree with interdisciplinary graduate certificates in Asian American Studies , Chicano/Latino Studies , Critical Theory , Feminist Studies , Latin American Studies , and/or Visual Studies .

We admit all students, with BAs or MAs, directly into the PhD program in small cohorts with multi-year funding packages. We encourage prospective students to review our faculty profiles and contact the faculty members who work in their potential areas of interest before applying to learn more about their research, teaching, and advising.

Prospective students interested in the Ph.D. Program in Visual Studies, administered by the Department of Art History, can find more information here .

Meet the Film and Media Studies Faculty and learn about their research interests.

The annual admissions deadline is December 1 .

Complete applications will include:

• A Statement of Purpose (1200 words maximum) that describes your research interests and reasons for seeking a PhD. The Statement of Purpose should indicate how your proposed research correlates to our program's emphases and how you will benefit from working with specific core faculty. You can find information about faculty research interests here.  

• A Personal History Statement (1200 word maximum) that describes your educational accomplishments and goals. It is important to communicate whether you have experienced unique or significant opportunities, challenges, and/or obstacles in your pursuit of an education. Please also describe the career paths you plan to pursue after graduation.

• A sample of academic writing that demonstrates original thinking, clear writing and your preparedness to do graduate-level work in film and media studies.

• Length: A minimum of ten pages to a maximum of thirty pages. Any submission longer than the maximum will not be reviewed past the maximum page limit.
• You may submit two pieces of work as long as their combined length does not exceed the page limit.
• In the event you have a longer piece of work to submit, such as a Master's thesis or Undergraduate research paper, please submit a chapter or section of the work within the page restriction.

• Three letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty with whom you have studied.

• Transcripts.

• Results of the TOEFL or IELTS exam for international applicants for whom English is not their primary language.

For academic questions (questions about program requirements, the application review process, funding opportunities, etc.) please contact the Graduate Director, Professor Kristen Hatch ([email protected]). 

For administrative questions (questions about how to apply, paying the application fee, application materials, etc.) please contact the Graduate Coordinator, Amy Fujitani ([email protected]). 

To apply, click here .

Course Requirements

Required Core Courses (6 courses)

FLM&MDA 285A: Film Studies: Theory and Methods.

FLM&MDA 285B: Television Studies: Theory and Methods.

FLM&MDA 285C: Digital Media and Game Studies: Theory and Methods.

FLM&MDA 286A: Film and Media Studies Historiography.

FLM&MDA 286B: Media/Power/Culture.

FLM&MDA 286C: Critical Approaches to Film and Media Studies.

Elective Courses (7 courses)

FLM&MDA 291: Graduate Seminar in Film and Media Studies. Repeatable as topics vary.

FLM&MDA 292: Graduate Seminar in Film & Media Critical Practice. Repeatable as topics vary.

FLM&MDA 295: Directed Reading. Repeatable as topics vary.

Required Practicums in Film and Media Studies (4 courses)

FLM&MDA 287: Practicum in Pedagogy.

FLM&MDA 288A: Practicum in Professionalization I.

FLM&MDA 288B: Practicum in Professionalization II.

FLM&MDA 288C: Practicum in Professionalization III.

Required Supporting Course (1 course)

FLM&MDA 298: Prospectus Writing Practicum.

Students must take three elective courses from within the Department of Film and Media Studies and two outside Film and Media Studies. The remaining two electives can be taken within or outside the department.

Students entering with a MA may petition to have up to three elective courses waived, subject to the approval of Graduate Division. Students who have had three courses waived must take two elective courses from within the Department of Film and Media Studies and one outside Film and Media Studies. The remaining elective can be taken within or outside the department.

During the third through sixth years in the program, students normally enroll in variable-unit courses as follows:

FLM&MDA 296: Reading for the Preliminary Examination.

FLM&MDA 297: Prospectus Research.

FLM&MDA 299: Dissertation Research.

First-Year Review

Students are required to select and confirm their Primary Advisor by the end of the first year.

At the end of the Spring quarter, the Film and Media Studies faculty will review the performance and progress of each first-year student and provide written evaluation of their work. This evaluation will include an assessment of the student’s ability to complete independent research.

A positive assessment indicates that the student is making good progress.

A cautionary assessment will be accompanied by a description of specific improvements that a student must make in order to advance to candidacy in the third year.

A negative overall assessment will place the student on Academic Conditional Status. Faculty will give written feedback with specific areas for improvement and a timeline for future expectations of academic progress. Students who fail to demonstrate improvement may be recommended for dismissal from the program without a degree.

MA Requirements

All students apply for and are accepted into the doctoral program.

Students who enter the PhD program with a prior graduate degree (MA or beyond) in Film and Media Studies or a related discipline may petition to waive up to three electives, subject to the approval of Graduate Division. These students may also petition to waive the MA exam requirement in recognition of their prior degree; normatively, this will be approved. In these cases, students will not complete the MA exam requirement nor earn a second MA en route to the PhD. Film and Media Studies faculty will determine what graduate degree fields qualify as related disciplines. Students entering with an MFA will typically be required to complete the MA exam unless the Graduate Committee determines that the degree is equivalent to an MA.

Students who have not earned an MA in a relevant field prior to matriculating in the Film and Media Studies PhD program must earn an MA degree as part of the PhD program. The program does not offer a stand-alone or terminal MA, except in instances when a student does not continue in the program toward earning the PhD.

In order to earn the MA degree, the student must

1. Satisfactorily complete six foundational courses (FLM&MDA 285A, FLM&MDA 285B, FLM&MDA 285C, FLM&MDA 286A, FLM&MDA 286B, and FLM&MDA 286C);

2. Satisfactorily compete FLM&MDA 287;

3. Satisfactorily complete seven electives, three of which must be within the Department of Film and Media Studies and two outside the Department of Film and Media Studies;

4. Pass the MA Exam; and

5. File the necessary paperwork for conferral of degree with Graduate Division.

For the MA exam, the student will revise one seminar paper written while in the program and submit the revised paper before the start of the Spring quarter in their second year of study. 

The requirements for passing the MA exam are as follows:

• The revised paper must present a substantial and original argument;

• It must reflect substantive revision from the original paper, demonstrating additional research and/or reconceptualization and responsiveness to feedback;

• It must demonstrate a command of the relevant literature;

• It must present adequate evidence to support its claims;

• It must be clearly written in an appropriate academic style; and

• It must be formatted according to MLA or Chicago Manual of Style guidelines with proper citation and bibliography.

Ideally, this revised paper will demonstrate promise toward publication and toward the ability to develop a dissertation; however this is not a requirement at the MA stage.

This paper will be evaluated by a 3-person MA committee, which consists of the student’s primary advisor as chair and two additional department faculty members appointed by the Program Director in consultation with the student and the advisor. The MA committee will evaluate the student’s ability to identify a suitable research project and methodology, develop an argument, respond to faculty feedback, and make revisions. The committee will respond with feedback within three weeks of receiving the paper and may ask for a second round of reasonable revisions, to be completed before the end of the term.

The committee will unanimously decide whether the student has passed the MA exam and if they are eligible to proceed toward the PhD, taking into holistic account the exam (revised paper) results, input from the core Film and Media Studies faculty during the First-Year Review, and the student’s progress during the second year of course work. There are four possible determinations:

Positive: The student will earn the MA degree and qualifies to continue toward the PhD exams. This should be the outcome in the majority of cases.

Cautionary: The student will earn the MA degree and qualifies to continue toward the PhD exams but with areas for improvement communicated in writing to the student and advisor. This occurs when the student’s holistic performance and promise outweigh a borderline exam or vice versa. This should be the outcome only in rare or extenuating circumstances.

MA Only: The student will earn the MA degree but is disqualified from continuing toward the PhD exams. This occurs when the student’s holistic performance and promise do not outweigh a borderline exam.

Negative: The exam is unacceptable. The student will not earn the MA degree and is disqualified from continuing toward the PhD exams.

Students may revise and resubmit the MA paper one additional time in case of a failure to pass.

By the end of their second year, students will work with their advisor to plan their Examination fields for the following year. No later than the end of Winter in the third year of study, students will establish a 5-person Qualifying Exam Committee, at least 51% of whose members, including the Dissertation Advisor, must be core faculty in the Department of Film and Media Studies. At least one committee member must be external to the department.

The student will receive one standardized bibliography and select two specialty field bibliographies on which they will be examined. In the Fall and Winter quarters of the third year, the student will enroll in FLM&MDA 296: Reading for the Preliminary Examination and complete reading the works on these three bibliographies. The three exam areas should serve to help the student define general areas of specialized competence that will aid them in establishing a broad base for the dissertation and in developing college-level courses. Students may not enroll in FLM&MDA 296 until all their other course requirements (with the exception of FLM&MDA 298: Prospectus Writing Practicum) have been completed.

The Qualifying Examination will be administered by the Qualifying Exam Committee and will include both a written and an oral component. The written component will consist of at least one question for each Exam bibliography for which the student has completed readings. Students will write at least one essay for each respective Exam. Faculty may offer a range of questions for each bibliography, giving the student a choice of which question(s) to answer. The written component will be offered as a series of three remote exams to be completed within three respective 24-hour periods; questions and responses will be delivered electronically. The oral component of the exam will take place in conjunction with the Prospectus Defense during the Spring quarter of the student’s third year.

Language Requirement 

Students will consult with the program Director and their principal advisor(s) to determine whether they must demonstrate or develop proficiency in a second language for their research. [1] If the program Director and principal advisor(s) determine that proficiency in a second language is required, the student must demonstrate this proficiency prior to advancing to candidacy. In the event a student does not need a second language to conduct doctoral research, they will not be required to demonstrate proficiency in a second language.

If determined to be required, the language requirement may be satisfied by one of the following means:

1. By passing the Film and Media Studies translation exam. A request must be made to the Film and Media Studies Staff within the first two weeks of the quarter the student wishes to take the exam.

2. By completing, with a grade of B or better, a language course at the 2C level or equivalent, with the exception of Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, which must be completed at the 3C level or equivalent.

3. By attaining a proficiency level of 2C on the Russian Exemption Exam or a proficiency level of 3C on the Chinese Exemption Exam offered by UCI's Academic Testing Center.

4. By petitioning the program. Grounds for a petition might include the student’s being a native speaker in a language other than English or having completed an equivalent language requirement at a different institution. The granting of this petition will remain at the discretion of the Graduate Director, although students dissatisfied with this determination may request the petition be considered by the full faculty. Students who have completed the language requirement at a different institution will need to submit transcripts with the petition. Students will inquire with the Graduate Coordinator to complete a petition.

Dissertation Prospectus and Advancement to Ph.D. Candidacy

In the Spring of the student’s third year, the student will enroll in FLM&MDA 298: Prospectus Writing Practicum and complete a prospectus that identifies the scope, approach, and rationale for their proposed dissertation. The student will present an oral defense of the prospectus to the Qualifying Exam Committee. When the prospectus has been unanimously approved by the Qualifying Exam Committee, the student will be advanced to doctoral candidacy. Students should have taken their preliminary examination, defended their dissertation prospectus, and advanced to doctoral candidacy no later than the end of Spring quarter of their third year. If a student will exceed the 3-year normative time to candidacy, they must petition by Spring quarter of their third year for an exception, presenting an approved plan for timely progress to candidacy.

In the event that a student does not pass the qualifying examination, consistent with UCI policy (Academic Senate Regulation 467) the student will be allowed one repeat attempt of the examination. This repeat examination will occur during the quarter following the initial examination.

Dissertation

The dissertation shall be an original research project of substantial length approved by the Doctoral Committee. Members of the student’s Doctoral Committee are noted on the PhD Form I: Advancement to Candidacy PhD Degree. The committee shall typically consist of the Doctoral Advisor and two additional faculty. At least 51% of the Doctoral Committee, including the Doctoral Advisor, must be core faculty in the Department of Film and Media Studies. The remaining members of the Doctoral Committee must satisfy Academic Senate requirements.

Dissertation Defense 

A final examination in the form of an oral defense of the dissertation is required for the PhD. This examination will be supervised by the Doctoral Committee and will be given just prior to the completion of the dissertation. The defense will be open to all members of the academic community. Faculty and graduate students of Film and Media Studies and the Graduate Dean will be given written notice of the date, time, and place of the examination at least five days in advance of the examination.

Time to Degree

The normative time to degree is six years (18 quarters). The first nine quarters are spent in pre-candidacy, the last 9 quarters in candidacy. Normatively, students will complete their course work within the first two years and prepare for and pass the Qualifying Examination and advance to candidacy in the third year. The maximum time to degree is seven years.

[1] Examples of when a second language would likely be necessary include Spanish proficiency for the study of Spanish-language media, Mandarin proficiency for study of media in Mainland China, or the relevant language for a project on non-English language transnational/diasporic media.

All students receive a five-year funding guarantee at admissions. This typically includes a combination of at least one fellowship year and multiple years of Teaching Assistantships. Additional competitive scholarships, fellowships, and summer stipends may also be available.

Students also receive tuition and fee remission, including non-resident (out-of-state or international) tuition during this period. Domestic students coming from outside of California will be expected to establish state residency during their first year; otherwise, they will need to cover their non-resident tuition fees.

TAships may be in Film and Media Studies undergraduate courses or for courses in other Departments or Programs.

Funding beyond the fifth year is not guaranteed, but TAships or other opportunities are often available.

The graduate emphasis in Film and Media Studies prepares students in any M.A., Ph.D., or M.F.A. program to analyze film and media texts, contexts, and industries. The emphasis requires that students complete four seminars, two of which are in the Film and Media Studies PhD core series (FMS 285A-C, FMS 286A-C) and two of which may be Film and Media Studies core or elective seminars (FMS 291, FMS 292, FMS 295).

Students who are currently enrolled in any MA, Ph.D., or M.F.A. program at UCI are eligible for admission to the Graduate Emphasis in Film and Media Studies.

Students who are interested in pursuing the graduate emphasis should contact the Graduate Director to indicate their interest in applying for the emphasis. Application materials include:

• an explanation of how their research and/or teaching will benefit from completing the Film and Media Studies Graduate Emphasis;
• current CV;
• brief letter of approval from the student’s primary advisor or program director;
• names of Film and Media Studies core faculty with whom they have worked or plan to work. Applicants who are not yet acquainted with Film and Media Studies core faculty may name the Graduate Director.

Application

To be considered for the Film and Media Studies Graduate Emphasis, please submit an application . 

Questions? Please contact Amy Fujitani , Graduate Coordinator.

Contact Film and Media Studies

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Best PhDs In Film Studies

CC Staff Writer

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated May 18, 2023

CollegeChoice.net is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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To discover more about the nuts and bolts of film, and to accelerate your career, consider a PhD in film studies.

Whether you are drawn to classic silent films or to modern-day cinematic marvels, if you have a desire to pursue film and a passion to create, a PhD in film studies might be the right choice for you.

Pursuing a degree in film studies will prepare you to work in a variety of fields. When you’re just starting out, a bachelor’s or master’s degree will be sufficient to provide you with the necessary background skills and knowledge to break into the industry.

However, as you seek higher-ranking positions in the film industry, you will want to obtain a degree that will provide you with the most advanced level of education. A PhD is considered a terminal degree in film studies. It will allow you to focus on the most in-depth topics in cinematic production, from film criticism to film history.

What kind of film studies degree should you get?

Depending on your career goals, you should find a degree in film studies that will match your aspirations. For example, if you want to teach film, you should look for programs that develop teaching skills. If you want to work in the film industry, you should seek a program that offers a more hands-on approach to the discipline.

A PhD requires a significant amount of work and dedication. If you are pursuing a PhD, there is a great possibility that you are already working in the film industry. Therefore, you need a degree that will mesh with your other life commitments, while at the same time providing you with the high caliber of education your demanding career will require.

Still not sure that a PhD in film studies is the right choice for you? Consider our ranking of the Best Online Colleges and Universities for a detailed look at all of the programs out there.

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How much money do people make with a PhD in film studies?

A PhD in film studies is the highest level of education that you can obtain in this field. Therefore, you can expect to earn a salary that is higher than those earned by individuals who only have undergraduate degrees.

Because this degree will prepare you for work in a wide variety of fields, including those in teaching, television, and production, your average salary will also vary. Most professionals earn an average salary of $61,000, according to Payscale. The highest earners are those that are employed in higher education and have several years of experience.

The average growth rate for these degrees also varies due to the diversity of careers in the industry . If you are working as a film editor, college professor, or camera operator, you may earn a slightly lower salary, but you will always have work – these jobs are growing by a whopping 13 to 15 percent, which is much higher than the national average. If, however, you choose to work as an actor, your pay will be varied and you will experience a lower rate of growth though it still remains well above average.

What can you do with a PhD in film studies?

A PhD in film studies will expose you to a wide variety of career opportunities. You might work in academics, pursuing a scholarly or research-based career, or you could work in the fine arts or film production. Potential career options include those as a cinematographer, film archivist, actor, film producer, college professor, or script supervisor.

Typical employers are generally found in major metropolitan areas, but that’s not always the case. With a degree in film studies, you could work all over the world for major employers like cinemas, independent production companies, large broadcasters, newspapers, or market research companies. Some individuals with PhDs in film studies even go on to work in advertising, multimedia, or public relations.

What are the requirements for a PhD in film studies?

To obtain a PhD in film studies, you will be required to first possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related area. Many individuals enter with prior experience in communications, the fine arts, or teaching. Depending on the school’s admissions policy, you may be required to have a certain GPA as well as satisfactory GRE scores.

Once enrolled, you will develop subject-specific skills in filmmaking and film theory. You will take classes that focus on technical skills like sound recording and camera operation, as well as those that specialize in a certain area, like screenwriting or film journalism.

While all programs will vary in regard to the classes that are required, all programs will help you develop skills in research, critical analysis, and communication. You will learn how to work both independently as well as in a group, and you will also be required to demonstrate resourcefulness and creativity as you approach your studies.

What are the best PhDs in film studies?

Film studies is a unique discipline, and as a result, there is no one best PhD in film studies for everyone. You should find a degree that helps you tailor your studies to your career goal. Because this industry is so diverse, each degree program is equally one-of-a-kind.

However, we do our best to bring to you the most impressive list of the best schools in the country for film studies. To do this, we look for the programs that offer the best-ranked programs in film studies, as determined by academic rigor, reputation among employers, and student satisfaction. We also examine each school’s affordability and retention.

Our list represents the most detailed ranking of PhDs in film studies that you will find. However, we encourage you to learn more about the detailed process we use to determine the best schools by visiting our methodology page .

Before we finalize our list and pass it on to you to review, we make sure it includes only the top schools for film studies. These schools don’t just offer the best programs but are also well-respected in their approach to student success, overall satisfaction, and affordability.

Consider these top five PhDs as you look for the degree in film studies that will help you accelerate your career.

We use datasets from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. CollegeChoice.net is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.

#1 Best PhDs In Film Studies

Cornell University

• Online + Campus

The Ph.D. in film and video studies program at Cornell University builds advanced competency in film through specialized study. The private university offers competitive doctoral programs in 106 subject areas. Many of the doctoral programs offer online options in addition to on-campus enrollment.

Candidates meet coursework, research, and examination requirements to complete their doctorate. Throughout the program, learners work closely with faculty advisors to craft an original dissertation topic that contributes to the field. The film studies program encourages doctoral students to present their research at academic conferences. The comprehensive program prepares graduates for academic and research careers.

While academically rigorous, learners benefit from flexible enrollment options. Candidates have a great deal of autonomy in pursuing research and professional opportunities. The program's hands-on components train students for careers outside of academia. Prospective applicants can contact the school for more information about the program.

#2 Best PhDs In Film Studies

University of California, Berkeley

• Berkeley, CA

Students in the film and media Ph.D. program at the University of California, Berkeley gain competency in film through specialized, flexible study. The public college features competitive doctoral programs in 99 subject areas. Many of the doctoral programs prioritize flexibility by offering online classes.

Candidates in the film program complete research projects and pass comprehensive examinations. Learners work closely with faculty advisors to propose a dissertation topic and complete original research that contributes to the film field. Outside of the classroom, doctoral students pursue research projects and present at academic conferences. Graduates take on academic and research roles with a doctorate from the university.

During the program, degree-seekers meet graduation requirements in a flexible format. The program provides career and professional support for doctoral candidates. Career workshops and experiential learning opportunities also prepare students for careers outside of academia. Contact the program for more information about the enrollment process and learning formats.

#3 Best PhDs In Film Studies

University of California, Los Angeles

• Los Angeles, CA

The Ph.D. in cinema and media studies program at the University of California, Los Angeles builds advanced competency in film through specialized study. The public college features competitive doctoral programs in 89 subject areas. Many of the doctoral programs offer online options in addition to on-campus enrollment.

Candidates pursuing their film degree complete coursework, comprehensive exams, and research and teaching requirements. Throughout the program, learners meet with faculty advisors to work on an original research project that contributes to the film field. Outside of the classroom, doctoral students pursue research projects and present at academic conferences. These opportunities train graduates for careers in research and academia.

While rigorous, the film program provides unparalleled flexibility through its dual modality. Candidates strengthen their research and career training independently. In addition to academic and research career paths, the program's industry-focused training prepares students for careers outside of academia. Contact the program for more information about the curriculum and application process.

#4 Best PhDs In Film Studies

University of Pittsburgh

• Pittsburgh, PA

The Ph.D. in film and media studies program at the University of Pittsburgh prioritizes flexibility in its advanced film curriculum. Graduate learners choose from 96 doctoral programs at the public institution. Many of the doctoral programs let students take online and on-campus classes.

Candidates in the film program meet coursework, research, and examination requirements. Learners propose, write, and defend a dissertation that contributes original research to the film field. Outside of the classroom, doctoral students conduct independent research and present at conferences. These opportunities train graduates for careers in research and academia.

During the program, degree-seekers meet graduation requirements in a flexible format. Candidates gain professional and research experience independently. The program offers industry-focused training to prepare students for careers outside of academia. Prospective applicants can contact the school to learn more about application deadlines and start dates.

#5 Best PhDs In Film Studies

Yale University

• New Haven, CT

Yale University offers a specialized, flexible route to a doctorate through its film and media studies doctoral program. The private university enrolls degree-seekers in 68 doctoral programs. Many of the doctoral programs offer both in-person and online enrollment options.

Candidates in the film program meet coursework requirements that strengthen research skills. At the conclusion of the program, learners defend their dissertation to demonstrate expertise in the film field. Doctoral students may present their research at academic conferences and gain teaching experience. Graduates pursue careers in academia and research with their degree.

While academically rigorous, the program also prioritizes a flexible learning environment. Candidates benefit from independent research and professional opportunities. In addition to academic and research career paths, the program's industry-focused training prepares students for careers outside of academia. Prospective applicants can contact the school to learn more about application deadlines and start dates.

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Radio, Television and Film

Phd media studies, doctorate with concentration in media studies.

The doctoral program in Radio-Television-Film emphasizes critical and contextual approaches to the study of media objects, industries, and cultures. With globally recognized faculty specializing in a wide array of media studies subfields, you will study and research in your chosen field and be prepared to enter into a rapidly evolving media landscape. You will be trained in an interdisciplinary array of media studies methods centered in pedagogical and professional development.

Expert Faculty Mentors

Affordable Tuition and Fees

Graduate Student Support

Program of study.

The PhD with concentration in Media Studies is a scholarly degree incorporating coursework, comprehensive exams, and research culminating in a dissertation. Students are expected to present their work at conferences and produce original work that is worthy of publication. Students admitted to this program must have already earned an M.A. degree.

Learn more about the Program of Work .

Teaching and Research Areas

Digital Media

Analyze interactive and emergent media texts and platforms, participatory digital cultures, social media, and algorithmic culture.

Global Media

Study media texts, audiences, industries, and cultures from transnational, national, regional and diasporic perspectives.

History and Criticism

Examine the sociohistorical contexts of film and media and engage in aesthetic and critical analysis.

Identity and Representation

Explore media's impact on culture and identity through interdisciplinary courses that examine the politics of representation through gender, race, sexuality, citizenship, and more.

Media Industries

Engage in topics relating to creative labor, production, distribution, infrastructures, regulation, and exhibition.

Supporting Your Success

• Structured timeline for successful program completion
• Faculty mentorship
• Annual Review with detailed, constructive feedback
• High rate of success in job placement in the academy
• Pedagogy seminars and workshops
• Opportunities to teach stand-alone courses
• Internships with local media industry, festivals, policy institutions and cultural organizations
• Biannual professional development workshops
• Harry Ransom Center Film Research Collections
• Vast RTF resources at UT Libraries
• Editorial and organization roles for department-based journals
• Interdisciplinary and portfolio program  options (in areas such as African and African Diaspora Studies, Women's and Gender Studies, and more) 

Admissions Information

Meet our students, meet our faculty, see faculty books, program contacts.

Area Head Media Studies

Suzanne Scott

Graduate Advisor

Madhavi Mallapragada

Graduate Coordinator

Teresa Warner

Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-471-4071

Film & Media Studies

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Hands-On Learning

Undergraduate production classes give students the technical skills to prepare for a range of careers.

Vibrant community

Pittsburgh is a growing destination for high-budget film and television productions, with favorable tax laws and picturesque topography

The University of Pittsburgh's Film and Media Studies Program offers a variety of courses in both critical studies and film and video production courses. Its undergraduate program provides an undergraduate major and minor in Film and Media Studies. Learn more about our program »

Check out student videos  here  and on Youtube .

Interdisciplinary PhD  students may specialize in 

Undergraduate

Our undergraduate program  provides a liberal arts foundation with professional outcomes.

Students gain firsthand experience in live TV broadcasting through Pitt

Faculty Excellence

With backgrounds in critical studies and filmmaking, our faculty are prepared to mentor students into a diversity

LA and London

Study abroad through the  Pittsburgh-London Film Program or start networking at Pitt

Interdisciplinary PhD  students may specialize in  English , French , Hispanic , History of Art and Architecture , or Slavic .

Students gain firsthand experience in live TV broadcasting through Pitt Studios , working alongside industry professionals.

With backgrounds in critical studies and filmmaking, our faculty are prepared to mentor students into a diversity of careers.

Study abroad through the  Pittsburgh-London Film Program or start networking at Pitt in LA: The American Film Industry .

Cultivating the Next Generation of Storytellers

We give students the knowledge and skills to become tomorrow’s artists, leaders and scholars. 

At the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television we are committed to being a world-renowned interdisciplinary professional hub, dedicated to cultivating exceptional humanistic storytellers, trailblazing industry leaders, and insightful scholars. Rooted in our rich heritage as a top-tier entertainment and performing arts institution, we champion diverse and innovative voices that have the power to enlighten, captivate, and usher in transformative change for a brighter future. By seamlessly blending the study and creation of live performance, film, television, and the digital arts through our groundbreaking curriculum, we offer not just education, but experiences. We take pride in our doctoral pursuits in theater, performance studies, cinema, and media studies. Our mission is to inspire, engage, and challenge the next generation of entertainment and academic leaders to create a more inspired and inclusive world.

The Latest at TFT

Stage Craft: Computer Science and Engineering Student Blends Performing Arts with AI Technology

2024 Hollywood Diversity Report

Associate Dean of Research and Technology Jeff Burke and team secure $1.3 million from the National Science Foundation

Explore our programs, film, television & digital media.

The Department of Film, Television and Digital Media provides professional and scholarly approaches to the study of media and helps students discover their powers as independent artists and communicators.

Undergraduate Programs

• Film, Television & Digital Media (BA)
• Film, Television & Digital Media (Minor)

Graduate Programs

• Animation (MFA)
• Cinema & Media Studies (MA)
• Cinema & Media Studies (PhD)
• Cinematography (MFA)
• Producers Program (MFA)
• Production/Directing – Documentary (MFA)
• Production/Directing (MFA)
• Screenwriting (MFA)

Our students become well-rounded artists and researchers by immersing themselves in their chosen areas as well as exploring the other creative disciplines that are available.

• Theater (BA)
• Theater (Minor)
• Acting (MFA)
• Design for Theater & Entertainment (MFA)
• Directing (MFA)
• Playwriting (MFA)
• Theater & Performance Studies (PhD)

Theater Season – Upcoming Performances

Bruin Fringe Fest

A festival of short student-generated pieces directed by and featuring undergraduate students from UCLA Department of Theater. This workshop setting is modeled after fringe festivals around the world that celebrate new and innovative art.

Performances

Macgowan 1330

The Time of Your Life

In 1939 this play was a meditation on class and race according to the legible markers of that time period. Doing this play in 2023 would require a careful examination of what those markers are at this time. Seeking an ensemble of actors with heightened language skills who are interested in exploring identity issues of America utilizing the language and setting of 1939 through the lens of today.

November 16 – 21, 2023

Little Theater

Project II: The Guadalupes

MFA Directing Project I: The Guadalupes by Noah Diaz and Directed by Eric Swarts (First Year MFA Director)   A meta-theatrical exploration of memory, the things we inherit, sadness, and coming to terms with our regrets and place in the world.   *This is a non-ticketed production*  

February 8 – 10 @ 7 pm

We Appreciate Your Support

As a leading public university, our student, faculty and program successes are made possible by private philanthropic support. Making a tax-deductible gift helps achieve many goals.

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• Doctoral Program
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The doctoral program in Department of Film, Television, and Media is a small, interdisciplinary humanities program that provides students with the opportunity to work closely with faculty on their research at a world-class university with excellent resources and support. Typically students in our program enter with a Master’s degree, though we do not formally require a Master’s degree for admission to the program. We do not offer a M.A. degree. Students work with faculty to create individualized programs of study that draw upon film, television, and new media as well as offerings across campus in fields like History, Women’s Studies, Communication Studies, American Cultures, German Studies, Asian Languages and Cultures, Romance Languages, Music, Comparative Literature, and many more.

Our students and graduates have found success inside and outside of academia. Our doctoral students have a strong record of winning competitive fellowship support for dissertators at the University of Michigan, as well as from outside institutions like the Japan Foundation and others. They have published widely, in prominent publications including Film History; Media, Culture, and Society; Television & New Media, Flow. Students have been researchers in a wide range of projects, including the Detroit City Study , the Connected Viewing Initiative at the Carsey-Wolf Center/Warner Bros ., and the Screen Arts Mavericks & Makers project , a UM resource which includes the archives of filmmakers Orson Welles, Robert Altman, John Sayles, Alan Rudolph, Nancy Savoca, and producer Ira Deutchman. In addition to tenure-track careers as academics, our graduates have gone on to work in academic counseling, public relations, project management. As with any humanities graduate degree, we believe a doctorate in Department of Film, Television, and Media prepares students with skills in writing and research that can be applied widely .

Screen Arts Mavericks & Makers

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Film and Screen Media

Application options include:

Course Overview

Our MPhil/PhD programme in Film and Screen Media invites you to submit a proposal for research on the history, development and interaction of film, television and other screen media. 

An MPhil/PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation. The MPhil thesis is not more than 60,000 words; the PhD thesis is not more than 100,000 words. This programme also welcomes practice-based PhD theses, the requirements for which vary according to the nature of the research and should be discussed with the admissions tutors. Both the MPhil and the PhD are assessed by a viva voce examination.

We  offer an exceptionally stimulating environment where your film and screen media research will flourish in a wider interdisciplinary context. We have critically engaged research clusters working on cultural policy, creative labour, curatorial practice, digital aesthetics, digital politics, essay film, film exhibition, journalism and democracy, media reform, mediated spaces, and television studies. 

Our aim is to offer a programme of seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops and reading groups that not only help you build your research skills, but generate a sense of intellectual community, based on dialogue and mutual support. You will also be offered training sessions at all levels of the College, including at the  Birkbeck Graduate Research School  (BGRS).

At Birkbeck, you are initially registered on an MPhil and you upgrade to a PhD after satisfactory progress in the first year or two. You need to find a suitable academic supervisor at Birkbeck, who can offer the requisite expertise to guide and support you through your research. Find out more about undertaking a research degree at Birkbeck . 

Key information

Film and screen media mphil/phd: 7 years part-time, on campus, starting 2024-25.

• October 2024
• January 2025

Film and Screen Media MPhil/PhD: 4 years full-time, on campus, starting 2024-25

Find another course:

• This MPhil/PhD in Film and Screen Media is offered as part of a range of competitively awarded PhD studentships funded by support from UK Research and Innovation, charities, government and external partners.
• The award-winning  Birkbeck Cinema  is central to our research culture. The 70-seat cinema is equipped with 35mm and state-of-the-art DCP projection. Our  Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image  (BIMI) runs a busy, intellectually stimulating programme of events, including conferences, screenings and film-related events of all kinds, including at our cinema.
• You will have the opportunity to participate in and attend the  Essay Film Festival , jointly run by BIMI and the  Institute of Contemporary Arts  (ICA), with free admission to events hosted at Birkbeck. You will also be able to take advantage of practical film-making opportunities offered through the  Derek Jarman Lab .
• The Vasari Research Centre for Art and Technology integrates a wide range of digital culture research at Birkbeck, while making available equipment and systems to students, interns and academics. In addition, the  Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture (BIRMAC) provides a unique space for reflective critical inquiry on media and culture, where researchers from different disciplines can gather and participate in a sustained intellectual conversation in a truly interdisciplinary context.
• As well as the Birkbeck Library , you will have access to the nearby Senate House Library , various libraries of the University of London colleges, the British Library , as well as other specialist collections and institutions in central London, including the British Film Institute library.
• Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. Birkbeck’s research excellence overall was  confirmed in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework  with 83% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

A good degree in film, television, media studies, cultural studies, or other related areas in the social sciences and humanities. Depending on your background and research experience, a BA might be sufficient. Generally we recommend that you apply with a good MA degree.

You will also need to submit a specific indication of research interests with your application, and a 2000-word proposal.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this programme is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement,  we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services  to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our  English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country .

Visa and funding requirements

If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

• Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
• Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

For full information, read our visa information for international students page .

Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country .

Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

Film and Screen Media MPhil/PhD: 7 years part-time or 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25

Academic year 2024–25, starting october 2024, january 2025, april 2025.

Part-time home students: £2,539 per year Full-time home students: £4,786 per year Part-time international students : £7,525 per year Full-time international students: £14,885 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy .

If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

Fees and finance

PhD students resident in England can apply for government loans of over £26,000 to cover the cost of tuition fees, maintenance and other study-related costs.

Flexible finance: pay your fees in monthly instalments at no extra cost . Enrol early to spread your costs and reduce your monthly payments.

We offer a range of studentships and funding options to support your research.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

International scholarships

We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship .

Our research culture

Our research encompasses journalism, film and television, artistic practice and arts management, and digital media, culture and design . Our work is critically engaged, challenging conventional assumptions about the functions and influence of media and culture, scrutinising institutions, organisations and work practices in the creative industries, and rethinking what media can mean and do.

We place particular emphasis on practice-based research, in which ideas and issues are investigated through activities such as creative film-making and digital design. The research of our academic staff is thoroughly interdisciplinary, and incorporates both historical research and contemporary explorations of our rapidly changing media landscapes.

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework for Art and Design research Birkbeck was ranked 4th nationally with world-leading achievements for environment (90%), impact (67%) and outputs (65%).

We work with a wide range of partners, including the  V&A , the  Institute of Contemporary Arts ,  University of Pittsburgh ,  BFI ,  Science and Media Museum ,  Lux Cinema ,  Tate Britain ,  Media Reform Coalition ,  Action on Armed Violence  and  Electra , and the facilities available to staff and students include the  Vasari Research Centre , the  Birkbeck Cinema , the  Peltz Gallery  and the  Derek Jarman Lab .

Teaching opportunities

As part of our commitment to professional development, you have the opportunity to gain experience in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There is also a 10-week lecture series, Teaching in the Arts, which is designed to prepare students for teaching humanities in higher education.

Follow these steps to apply to an MPhil/PhD research degree at Birkbeck:

1. Check that you meet the entry requirements, including English language requirements, as described on this page.

2. Find a potential supervisor for your MPhil/PhD research. You can look at the Find a Supervisor area on this page for an overview, or  search our Experts’ Database  or  browse our staff pages  for more in-depth information. You may also find it helpful to  view the research projects of our current students .

3. Contact the academic member of staff - or the department they teach in - for an informal discussion about your research interests and to establish if they are willing and able to supervise your research. (Please note: finding a potential supervisor does not guarantee admission to the research degree, as this decision is made using your whole application.)  Find out more about the supervisory relationship and how your supervisor will support your research .

4. Draft a research proposal of up to 2000 words (excluding references). This needs to demonstrate your knowledge of the field, the specific research questions you wish to pursue, and how your ideas will lead to the creation of new knowledge and understanding.  Find out more about writing a research proposal .

5. Apply directly to Birkbeck, using the online application link on this page. If your research proposal meets our entry criteria, and we have an appropriate academic to supervise you, we will invite you for an interview, in person or by telephone. All research students are initially registered on an MPhil and then upgrade to a PhD after making sufficient progress.

Find out more about the application process, writing a research proposal and the timeframe .

Application deadlines and interviews

You can apply throughout the year for commencement in October or the following January.

If you wish to apply for funding, you will need to apply by certain deadlines. Consult the websites of relevant bodies for details.

Apply for your course

Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section .

Finding a supervisor

A critical factor when applying for postgraduate study in film and screen media studies is the correlation between the applicant’s intellectual and research interests and those of one or more potential supervisors.

Find out more about the research interests of our  academic staff and their areas of research. 

Related courses

• Cultural Policy and Management (MPhil/PhD)
• Journalism and Communication (MPhil/PhD)
• Digital Culture and Communication (MPhil/PhD)

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This research degree involves in-depth and extended study of a specialised topic, within the broad range of film and media studies, which is identified and developed by the student in consultation with their research supervisor(s), all of whom have world-leading expertise.

Research students in our department investigate a wide range of specialised topics, especially in the areas of European, American and East Asian cinema and media; social, cultural, political and technological analyses of moving images; and film and media theory and film-philosophy. In the UK's most recent national audit of research, the Research Excellence Framework 2014, 87% of our research was given the highest rankings of 4* or 3* and we were also rated highly for the public and societal impact of our research. We have a close relationship with the British Film Institute and its renowned Reuben Library, based in the Southbank Centre, ten minutes walk from our central London campus on the Strand. Many other world-leading research libraries and archives are located nearby. Alongside their research, we offer our students formal teaching opportunities on our undergraduate degrees, providing valuable professional experience. All our students also pursue individually-tailored programmes of skills training and frequently work at film festivals and other media-related or educational events across London. Our fortnightly Film Studies Research Seminars bring leading experts to King's from outside and are both intellectually challenging and socially engaging. Our PhD students make up a vibrant, energetic, and friendly community, full of innovative ideas, and one of the largest of its kind at any university in the UK. 

Film Studies Research

Study a PhD in Film Studies at King's College London or a joint PhD with the University of Hong Kong or National University of Singapore.

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Postgraduate Research Hub

Explore careers, doctoral training schemes and funding opportunities.

A leading centre for research on all aspects of cinema, from its earliest days to the present

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Learn more about the degree programmes on offer at King's. Download or view a prospectus in PDF format.

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The study of film is primarily concerned with motion picture history, theory and criticism. These areas are approached through intensive critical analysis of individual films, through research into the primary documents of filmmakers and the film industry, and through the construction of theoretical models of film forms and styles, national cinemas, film genres, and the economics of the film industry. Film production is meant primarily for students studying history, theory and criticism as a way to enhance their understanding of the practical decisions filmmakers confront. The program is not designed for students whose sole interest is in film production.

For degree requirements and other detailed program information, please consult the graduate handbook:

Communication Arts Graduate Handbook

A weekly graduate student/faculty colloquium gives students the opportunity to present their own work and to hear guest lecturers from a range of disciplinary perspectives, often in cooperation with other departmental areas. We also use this time also to present information and facilitate discussions of publishing, conference presentations, and the job search process.

  The Velvet Light Trap is a semi-annual journal publishing work on film, television, and other media. It is edited entirely by graduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and at the University of Texas-Austin.

The Film Graduate Program is designed to train future media scholars and university faculty; students are admitted with the assumption that they will carry on to the Ph.D. Financial support is provided primarily through teaching appointments, so students must have a level of English competency sufficient for the classroom.

Our graduates teach at major universities across the country, and indeed around the world. See our Recent and Ongoing PhDs page for examples.

The study of film, media and culture is enhanced at Madison by the presence of significant resources that aid critical inquiry and research. In particular, the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research , founded in 1960, is one of the leading US centers for archival documentation in film, television, radio and theater history, housing 20,000 motion pictures, television shows, and videotapes; 2 million still photographs and promotional graphics; and hundreds of primary-document collections from major production companies, directors, screenwriters, actors, producers, and designers.

Three nights a week, our amazing, professionally-programmed, free Cinematheque showcases rare archival prints, art films and popular works from around the world. Equipped with state-of-the-art projectors (all formats and DCP) and a stunning sound system, our departmental theater ranks as one of the finest screening rooms in the nation.

Recent and forthcoming graduate-level classes include:

• Agnès Varda (Professor Kelley Conway)
• Film Festivals (Conway)
• Global Art Cinema (Conway)
• Globalization and French National Cinema (Conway)
• Introduction to Media Production (Professor Aaron Greer)
• Screen Directing (Greer)
• Writing for TV and Film (Greer)
• American Film Industry in the Era of the Studio System (Professor Eric Hoyt)
• Digital Media Production for Graduate Students (Hoyt)
• Film Historiography (Hoyt)
• Gender, Sexuality and the Media (Professor Darshana Mini)
• Indian Cinema and Beyond (Mini)
• Migrant Media and Diasporic Imaginations (Mini)
• Avant-Garde Cinema (Professor Ben Singer)
• Cognition, Emotion, and Evolutionary Aesthetics (Singer)
• Global Melodrama (Singer)
• Japanese Cinema (Singer)
• Black American Cinema (Professor Jeff Smith)
• Contemporary Hollywood (Smith)
• Film and Allegory (Smith)
• Film Noir (Smith)
• Film Sound: Theory and History (Smith)
• Hollywood Film Score (Smith)
• The Hollywood Blacklist (Smith)

Current ongoing dissertation topics:

• John Bennett “Mediterranean Film Cultures in Light of Algerian Independence”
• Tim Brayton “The Illusion of Depth in Animation”
• Pauline Lampert “Not Just an Actor: Socially Conscious Stardom and the Rise of the Post-War Actor-Producer”
• Thomas Macpherson “Towards a Poetics of Landscape”
• Erica Moulton “Hollywood’s Middlebrow Adaptations: Acquisition and Development of Popular Novels from 1930-1949”
• Matt St John “The American Film Festival System”
• David Vanden Bossche “Man and Camera Become One”: Analyzing the influence of the Steadicam on Camera Movement in American Cinema,1974-94”
• Zach Zahos “Beyond Distinction: New Possibilities in Art House Film Distribution”

Recent completed dissertation topics have examined:

• JJ Bersch (2022) “Pack Your Product’s Bags, It’s Going Hollywood: Explaining the Mainstream Emergence of Cinematic Product Placement in the 1980s” Blank Check Podcast
• Luke Holmaas (2022) “The Best Gag in the Picture: Gag-Based Comedy’s Adaptability in Blockbuster-Era Hollywood Cinema” University of Madison-Wisconsin
• Hamidreza Nassiri (2022) “Iranian Cinema in the Digital Era: The Implications of Digital Technologies on Local and Global Power Relations in Film and Media Industries” Fordham University
• Megan Boyd (2021) “Legitimizing Laughter: The Rise of Feature Comedy” University of Cincinnati
• Maureen Rogers (2020) “Getting in on the Act: How Exploitation Cinema Remade the New Hollywood (and Vice Versa)” Shapiro & Raj
• Jonah Horwitz (2019) “Live Television Drama and Its Cinematic Legacies” University of Pittsburgh
• Nora Stone (2018) “Marketing the Real: The Creation of a Multilayered Market for Documentary Cinema” University of Alabama
• Brandon Colvin (2018) “Making It Real: Performance Styles and Contexts in Contemporary American Microbudget Cinema” University of Alabama
• Matt Connolly (2018) “Underground Exploiteer: John Waters and the Development of a Directorial Brand, 1964-1981” Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Eric Dienstfrey (2018) “The Stereo Impulse: High Fidelity Cinema and the Making of Modern Surround Sound Aesthetics” Ursinus College
• Derek Long (2017) “Reprogramming the movies: distribution strategy and production planning in the early studio system, 1915-1924” University of Illinois
• Chelsea McCracken (2017) “Riding the Gay New Wave into New Queer Cinema: revealing the contexts that created a movement” State University of New York, Oneonta
• Jenny Oyallon-Koloski (2017) “An aesthetic of contradictions: Jacques Demy, Choreography, and the musical genre” University of Illinois
• Booth Wilson (2017) “The most European cinema: Yakov Protazanov across borders, 1909-1930” Shenzhen University, China
• Amanda McQueen (2016) “After ‘the Golden Age’: an industrial history of the Hollywood musical, 1955-1975” New York University
• John Powers (2016) “Conjuror’s box: technology and aesthetics in postwar American avant-garde cinema” Washington University in St. Louis
• Andrea Comiskey (2015) “The Sticks, the Nabes, and the Broadways: U.S. Film Distribution, 1935-1940” Franklin & Marshall College
• Heather Heckman (2014) “Undervalued Stock: Eastman Color’s Innovation and Diffusion, 1900-1957” University of South Carolina
• Mark Minett (2013) “Expanding the Standard Story: Rethinking ‘Early Altman’ and the Elaboration of Classical Hollywood Storytelling” University of South Carolina
• Recent and Ongoing PhDs More

• Staff intranet
• Student intranet

What do you want to do?

Find out about the research we do in film and tv studies.

• Screen Media (Film and TV) PhD

Find a supervisor

Mode of study

3 years full-time

6 years part-time

International   £21,260

UK   £4,786

Entry requirements

Research profile.

Screen Media at Brunel has established a substantial body of research in a range of topics, including numerous major contributions to the field. Four themes provide strands across which much of this work can be categorized:

• The politics of representation
• National and transnational film and TV
• Documentary practice and theory
• Gothic, horror and fantasy

Areas in which staff have published major work recognized in the field include British, European, Hollywood, American independent, Hong Kong, and Third cinema; horror, comedy, the integration of video practice and theory, Marxism and the media, contemporary British and American television. Some staff are also filmmakers, particularly in documentary, and/or use documentary itself as a form of research. 

Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.  

Learn more about research in this area.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour .

Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team .

You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.

Our supervisors create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip research students with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Browse all potential supervisor profiles further here:

Sean Holmes ([email protected])

• History of film and television production
• History of trade unionism in the film and television industries
• Post-war Hollywood cinema
• The Western
• Post-war European film

Leon Hunt ([email protected])

• Hong Kong cinema
• Martial arts films
• Transnational cinema
• British TV comedy
• Cult film and TV

Caroline Ruddell ([email protected])

• The Gothic in film and TV
• Fairy tales in film and TV
• Film theory
• Psychoanalysis and film

Daniele Rugo ([email protected])

• Film and philosophy
• European cinema
• Documentary (practice and theory)
• Modern European thought
• World cinema

Mike Wayne ([email protected])

• Marxist media & cultural theory
• Political film
• Latin American film
• British cinema
• Documentary (theory & practice-based research)

Jon Hackett ([email protected])

• Migration and human trafficking in film and media
• Film theory and cultural theory
• Representations of monstrosity in film and popular music
• Masculinity in film and popular music
• Political economy of film and media

While we welcome applications from student with a clear direction for their research, we are providing you with some ideas for your chosen field of research:

Research journey

Potential research projects areas for PhD students

• Recent and contemporary British, European, Hong Kong, Hollywood and American independent cinema
• World cinemas, art cinema
• Cult film, television and other media
• British and American television
• Science fiction, horror, comedy, the western, crime films
• Documentary, video practice
• Practice-based research
• Relationships between documentary and fiction
• Political cinema, activist media
• Imaging, surveillance, political power and military violence
• Gender, sexuality and the body in film
• Marxist and psychoanalytical approaches to screen media
• Cinematic spectacle, narrative
• New cinema/media technologies
• Avant-garde and experimental cinema
• Ecocriticism and screen media
• Trade unionism in film and TV industries
• The Gothic; fairy tales
• Representations of nationhood and ethnicity in film, games and other media; ideas of national media cultures, local ethnographies of media production and consumption

This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in October. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in April.

Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here:  Research degree progress structure.

Research support

Excellent research support and training

The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme . The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.

Library services

Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.

Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.

Find out more: Brunel Library

Careers and your future

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.

In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.

Find out more.

Following the completion of the course students may follow several career paths:

• Career path within academia starting as a University Lecturer/Assistant Professor, or researcher
• Various potential career paths, or enhancements to careers, relating to film, TV or other media, depending on area of research, including film/video making

UK entry requirements

The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1). 

An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.

Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement  and a research statement. Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement  here .   

EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by  UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list . This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT : 63% (min 58% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all) 

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our  English Language Requirements  page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our  Brunel Language Centre .

Please check our Admissions  pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

Fees and funding

2024/5 entry, international.

£21,260 full-time

£10,630 part-time

£4,786 full-time

£2,393 part-time

Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.

Some courses incur  additional course related costs . You can also check our  on-campus accommodation costs  for more information on living expenses.

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. Recently the UK Government made available the Doctoral Student Loans of up to £25,000 for UK and EU students and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Scholarships and bursaries

• Brunel Graduate Discount

Study Postgraduate

Mphil/phd in film and/or television studies (2023 entry).

Course code

2 October 2023

3-4 years full-time; 7 years part-time

Qualification

Film and Television Studies

University of Warwick

Find out more about our Film and/or Television Studies MPhil/PhD.

Join the MPhil/PhD in Film and/or Television Studies in order to conduct innovative, world-leading research. Warwick's Film and Television Studies is home to state-of-the-art facilities and world-renowned experts who will guide you as you carry out your research project.

Course overview

A PhD in Film and/or Television Studies will help you to shape the field of moving image studies, as you develop original research which intervenes in the most exciting and relevant discipline in the Arts and Humanities.

In partnership with your dedicated supervisor or supervisory team, you will be supported on your journey to becoming a fully independent researcher in screen studies. You will be able to take advantage of the unparalleled resources our Department has to offer, from global experts in film and television history, theory and criticism, to 35mm film projection and a digital editing suite. You will join a vibrant and international community of scholars, with the opportunity to participate in an exciting programme of research seminars and professional development and training events.

Teaching and learning

Doctoral Studies in Film and Television Studies proceeds through regular meetings between the student and their PhD supervisor or supervisory team, with the additional resource of a designated mentor. Together, you will design and develop your topic and the structure of your thesis, refining your research and writing through a process of drafts and close commentary, constructive critique and discussion. In year one you will also be required to take Research Methods classes in order to deepen your knowledge of existing debates and methodologies in the field. The Department also offers teaching opportunities for PhD students from their second-year of study onwards, subject to availability and a formal application process in any given year.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements.

A good Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements Link opens in a new window . This course requires the following:

• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page Link opens in a new window .

Additional requirements

Anyone interested in applying to our MPhil/PhD programme is advised to first visit the department PhD webpage for further information and contact our Postgraduate Admissions Secretaries at filmandtvadmissions at warwick dot ac dot uk  to ascertain if their intended project can be supervised in this department.

Our research

• Film and Television Aesthetics, History and Theory
• Classical and Contemporary Hollywood Cinema
• European Cinema (especially British, Italian, French and Spanish)
• British and US Television
• Documentary Film and Television
• Silent Cinema
• Feminist Film and Television Theory, History and Criticism
• World Cinema
• Queer Film Cultures
• Film and Philosophy
• Experimental Film and Video
• Film and Television Genre
• Film and Modernity
• Film Technology and Innovation
• Cities and Landscapes in Film and Television
• Critical Studies of the Archive
• Transnational Cinemas
• Screen Ethics

The Department of Film and Television Studies is the home of  The Centre for Television Histories . There are often opportunities for graduate students to be involved in associated activities.

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.

Find a supervisor

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

We currently have 14 full-time members of staff with many research strengths who could be your supervisors. We usually welcome up to 5 PhD students every year.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees   Research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website .

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad. Information about department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Film and Television Studies at Warwick

See the world through the lens of film.

The moving image is the most significant art form of the twentieth century. By studying it, you will develop a unique way of understanding the world you live in. You will be exposed to a diverse film and television culture at the forefront of change as our means of viewing evolve. Whether it's a pure passion for the moving image, its stars, genres and history, or academic curiosity that excites you, follow a curriculum that’s as ambitious and innovative as Film and Television Studies are.

From day one, you will be taught by the country’s leading scholars through state-of-the-art lectures, seminars and individual tutorial supervisions. Think, live and breathe the moving image through discussion, reading, writing, blogging, video-essays and screenwriting.

Find out more about us on our website. Link opens in a new window

Our courses

• Applied Screen Studies (PhD)
• Film and Television Studies (MA)
• For Research in Film and Television Studies (MA)
• Film and/or Television Studies (MPhil/PhD)

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

Postgraduate Open Day

Postgraduate fairs.

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.

Find out more

Every week, you can connect directly with representatives from Warwick, who will be answering your questions on applying to and studying postgraduate studies at Warwick.

Sign up for Live Chats

Departmental events

Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.

See our online departmental events

Connect with us

Want to hear more about postgraduate study at Warwick? Register your interest and find out more.

Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

8th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2023) Link opens in a new window

67th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024) Link opens in a new window

5th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employers Link opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers Research Ltd. Link opens in a new window )

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2023 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

Grad Development

Admissions Requirements for the Graduate Major in Film and Television

After exploring options and choosing a specific program, follow the steps on our University’s graduate application process:

Film & Television

Department of film & television.

• BS Film & TV
• MS Television
• MS Media Ventures
• MFA Film & TV Studies
• MFA Screenwriting
• Cinemathèque

Putting students at the center.

A Film & Television (FTV) degree at the BU College of Communication (COM) teaches students how to tell stories over the multiple platforms of film, television and new media.

Our approach is unique for three reasons:

• Faculty help students create scripted or unscripted, art-house as well as commercial material while grounding each student in a rigorous liberal arts education. Graduates also benefit from our expansive research university, enabling them to enroll in courses across the university’s many departments.
• In all programs – studies, production, screenwriting and producing/management – classes are small, 12 students or fewer in screenwriting and 16 for production. This means students work closely with our veteran faculty who focus on nurturing each student’s individual voice.
• All FTV majors are first exposed to fundamentals of cinematic history, theory, writing and production—knowledge that’s necessary in an industry where each understanding is interdependent. They can then choose to specialize in screenwriting, cinematography, editing, directing, producing or management, film or television studies; or engage in a wide spectrum of fields of study. Ultimately each program aims to prepare all students for successful careers.

Does our approach work? Look no further than our students and alumni for your answer.

Films from our Redstone Film Festival of student-created projects have been nominated for Academy Awards. Real World Productions and BUTV10, both student-run, create award-winning works from PSAs and documentaries to news and variety shows.

FTV alumni are among some of the most successful directors, screenwriters, editors, producers, executives and academics in the industry. They include Bonnie Hammer (CGS’69, COM’71, SED’75), Vice Chairman of NBCUniversal; Orlando Bagwell (’74,’77, American Experience ), Bonnie Arnold (’78, Toy Story , How to Train Your Dragon ), Michael Williams (’79, Fog of War , Queer Eye ), Scott Rosenberg (’81, Con Air , Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead ), Nancy Dubuc (’91), CEO of VICE Media, and Josh Safdie (‘07) and Benny Safdie (‘08, Uncut Gems , Good Time ).

The success of our alumni demonstrates that our unique approach prepares students to succeed in the fields of film, television and new media. More importantly, our university’s liberal arts requirements guarantee that each student imbues their work with a deep understanding of society’s essential questions.

Film & TV News

The redstone film festival 2024 nominees announced.

Advertising Exec Adam Gerber’s Evolution

Could This Be the Next SNL? BU Student’s Wicked Smaht Comedy Troupe Performs This Weekend

Meet the Film & TV Faculty

Christopher Anderson

Lecturer, film and television.

Adam Boyajy

Lecturer, film and television, journalism; faculty advisor, butv10.

Bill Braudis

Assistant professor, film & tv.

Barry Brodsky

Lecturer, screenwriting.

Tatyana Bronstein

Lecturer, Los Angeles Program

Film & tv research, the short-form scripted serial drama.

Full title: The Short-Form Scripted Serial Drama: The Novice Showrunner’s New Opportunity  Abstract: This chapter will define some of the…

Effects of Exposure to an Entertainment-Based Genetic Testing Narrative

This study explores the effects of exposure to a reality television narrative depicting genetic testing on attitudes and intentions, looking…

Twenty Queers of Madame Satã

Bruno Guaraná reviews the significance of the Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz’s groundbreaking Madame Satã on the occasion of the film’s…

Game of Thrones, Tourism, and the Ethics of Adaptation

This article examines ‘adaptation-induced tourism’, a form of media-induced tourism understood to be distinct from ‘screen tourism’ or ‘literary tourism’…

Film & Television

You're viewing this site as a domestic an international student

You're a domestic student if you are:

• a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.

You're an international student if you are:

• intending to study on a student visa,
• not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• not an Australian permanent resident, or
• a temporary resident (visa status) of Australia.

Film and Television Studies

This major introduces you to the history, theory, and criticism of film and television.

Explore the commerce and aesthetics of film and television across cultures and history.

Critically analyse film and television style, and examine new industry and artistic trends ushered in by digital media.

Graduate opportunities include careers in education, festivals and events, publicity, marketing, film culture, screen corporations and film distributors.

1 in Queensland for arts and humanities

QS World University Rankings 2024

Career possibilities

Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

• Marketing coordinator
• Content creator
• Video producer
• Studio executive
• Television program director
• Arts critic

The Film and Television Studies major has greatly enriched my knowledge of and passion for cinema, from the course concepts to the theory discussions to the fabulous tutors and lecturers. I can now critically observe and analyse movies to understand the director’s intent.

The Film and TV Studies major teaches you to critically engage with cinema and provides a strong language catalogue to refer to when watching films and television.

18 April - 1 May

MBA Information Event

UQ Career Pulse

National Indigenous Business Summer School in Winter

Dual degrees with a Bachelor of Arts

4-minute read

Bachelor of Arts employability myth busters

3-minute read

Meet the expert: exploring museology with Dr Caroline Wilson-Barnao

How you'll learn.

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

• Overseas study

What you'll study

At UQ, subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study:

• Introduction to Film & Television Studies
• Media and Society
• Film and Television History

See courses and program structure

Keep up to date

Sign up to get information about applying and studying at UQ.

We will use your information to keep you informed about UQ programs, news, events and scholarships. By submitting this form, you consent to the terms of UQ's Marketing consent and privacy notice .

Gun & Powder by Program Alums at Paper Mill Playhouse

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024

Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program alums Angelica Chéri and Ross Baum (Both Cycle 24) will present their musical GUN & POWDER at Paper Mill Playhouse April 4-May 5. 

Gun & Powder is inspired by the “mostly true” story of two sisters who stake their claim as legends to rule the Wild West. This Bonnie and Clyde story – with two Bonnies – features a book and lyrics by Chéri, music by Baum, choreography by Tiffany Rea-Fisher, and direction by Stevie Walker-Webb.

For More Info and Tickets, CLICK HERE