PhD Film Studies

Program Overview

The Film Studies program at the University of Birmingham offers MA by Research and PhD doctoral thesis options in full-time, part-time, and distance learning formats. With internationally recognized research expertise in various film and media studies areas, the program provides students with opportunities to benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration and a vibrant postgraduate community. Graduates develop transferable skills and pursue careers in related industries or apply their knowledge in diverse fields such as advertising, teaching, and cultural sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Research degrees in Film Studies at Birmingham are supervised by faculty in the Department of Film and Creative Writing and in the Department of Modern Languages, which allows you to benefit from our interdisciplinary approach and breadth of expertise. Indeed, the Departments share a vibrant and fast-growing postgraduate community that is closely associated with B-Film: The Birmingham Centre for Film Studies. Film Studies can be studied full-time or part-time, as an MA by Research or as a PhD doctoral thesis, and by distance learning too. Film Studies includes Television Studies and many aspects of Media Studies. Our expert supervisors have published extensively in their areas, which include Film Theory, World Cinema, Hispanic cinemas, American and European cinema, Animation, Cognition, Film and Television Genres especially horror, children’s cinema and fantasy, Adaptation, Television Series and Aesthetics, Film and Philosophy, Feminism and Screenwriting. You may also be interested in comparing this programme to the Film Studies Audio-Visual PhD which allows students to produce a 30,000 word thesis and a 60 minute documentary film.

Careers:

The University of Birmingham is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits, according to The Graduate Market 2024 report. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events. You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to: Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV What’s more, you will be able to access our full range of careers support for up to 2 years after graduation. Over the past five years, 94% of Film Studies postgraduates were in work and/or further study six months after graduation. Postgraduates in the Department of Film and Creative Writing develop a range of skills including: the ability to lead and participate in discussions; critical thinking, and an appreciation of different theoretical contexts; the ability to develop opinions and new ideas; and an aptitude for thinking and working creatively with others. While some graduates go on to careers in related industries - such as writing, media and television - others have used their transferable skills to pursue roles such as advertising, teaching, and in the heritage and cultural sectors.

Other:

Internationally-recognised research: We have internationally-recognised research expertise in the fields of European, American and World Cinema, film theory, ethics and aesthetics, queer theory, television studies, children’s media, film and television authorship, performance and audience studies, documentary, digital media, social action filmmaking, film festivals, film production and screenwriting. Research initiatives: Staff contribute to joint initiatives in the presentation of research, notably through the B-Film research centre and via international and online projects. We work with staff in allied departments across the University so that you benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to teaching, supervision and research. Community: We have a thriving community of research students. The postgraduate experience Learn more about your postgraduate experience. Graduate School Language Skills Top 100for Arts and Humanities in the world (QS 2024) B-FilmClose collaboration with research centre Film and Creative Writing is a department where academic staff excel at pushing intellectual boundaries while nurturing research skills in their postgraduate researchers. An inclusive and diverse postgraduate community centers on B-Film: The Birmingham Centre for Film and Television Research and the wider research community includes filmmakers, writers and scholars from many academic departments. Doing an MA by Research followed by a PhD in Film Studies at the University of Birmingham has been a life-transforming adventure.Luis

Annual tuition fee 2024 entry: UK: £4,786 full-time; £2,393 part-time International: £21,840 full-time; £10,920 part-time (distance learning only) The same fees apply to both campus-based and distance learning study. The distance learning programme also includes one fully-funded visit to campus in the first year of study. The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.