PhD in Film

The programme is 3-years full time or 6-year part time. It's a research only PhD programme. There is no mandatory coursework component and students are expected to immediately start their research. Each year in May full-time equivalent PhD students are expected to pass an annual progress review.

All students are expected to participate in regular training and research activities organised by the department. Students also have the opportunity to present their ongoing research to the department in a variety of both formal and informal settings, one of which includes the monthly Post Production forum. Students can also take advantage of professional training events offered by the QMUL Academic Development Unit.

Minimum entry requirements for our PhD programmes are:   

• a Bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) in Film or a related subject, with a minimum final degree classification of 2.1 (or international equivalent)  
• a Master's degree (or international equivalent) in Film or a related subject, with a minimum final degree classification of Merit (or international equivalent) 
• proof of proficiency in academic English (e.g., minimum IELTS 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in writing), where applicable 
• a compelling research proposal that closely aligns with the research interests and expertise of staff in the department
• capacity to conduct independent and original PhD-level research (as evidenced by a statement of purpose and letters of reference)

Applicants to our PhD programmes may be eligible for competitive funding awards managed by the university. If you wish to be considered for one of our funded studentships, you must apply before the end of January for admission the following September. For September entry, the application deadline for most awards is mid-January. Students hoping to be competitive for funding awards should allow time to substantially revise their initial proposals following feedback from their potential supervisor(s). This means initial contact should be made before December of the year preceding the intended start date.

Find out more about funding available.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Check if you meet eligibility criteria and to look at the research interests of individual staff to see if we have a colleague who works in the area of your research interests.

Step 2: Write Your Research Proposal

Your Research Proposal forms a vital part of your application. Its quality, originality and feasibility will all be judged in the entry process and if you are applying for funding. The best proposals are developed in close consultation with prospective supervisors and prepared several months before any funding competition deadlines.

Good proposals open new research questions and have a clear set of theoretical objectives. Your proposal should demonstrate a good awareness of the existing literature around your chosen subject, and you should show an understanding of how your own research will contribute to, as well as further, the scholarly debate. You also need to demonstrate a practical sense of the project’s feasibility. Your proposed programme of work should be achievable within the space of 36 months of full-time study. You should be able to complete your project within the necessary financial constraints of a studentship award or self-funding.

Every year, the admissions committee reviews a large number of applications, so it is important that your proposal is well written and clearly presented. Try to use short sentences, paragraphs and subheadings to provide clear structure. Research proposal should not be longer than 2000 words (including bibliography) and follow the format below:

• Applicant’s name
• Proposed title
• Name(s) of proposed supervisor(s)
• Summary of your aims and objectives: outline central research questions
• Rationale and literature review: illustrate how your work builds upon the current literature (refer directly to wider scholarship) and establish the distinctiveness of your own theoretical position
• Methodology: explain how you intend to pursue your research and the methods and perspectives you will use in analysing them
• Work plan for 3 years: specify likely starting date and prospective completion date (when)
• Originality and significance (in, and where applicable, beyond the academia)
• Bibliography: provide a short list of the relevant literature in your research area

Email your research proposal to the staff you have identified as your potential supervisor(s). It is essential to contact at least one potential supervisor to discuss your proposed PhD project before you apply for admission. This is likely to include a draft proposal at this stage, and indicative of your interests rather than binding. It will help you to organise your thinking and will give any prospective supervisor the most essential information. Your proposal may be refined and redrafted after discussions with your prospective supervisors before you apply.

We normally do not accept students who have not yet secured agreement from a potential supervisor. If you are unsure who may be an appropriate supervisor for your project, have a look at the available supervisors below and/or contact Dr Alasdair King : a.king@qmul.ac.uk

Step 3: Prepare Your Personal Statement

Your Personal Statement should be a maximum of 4000 characters and include an Academic Curriculum Vitae. In your personal statement, describe your motivation for pursuing PhD research and how your experience to date is relevant for carrying out the project proposed. This is likely to be a draft proposal at this stage, and indicative of your interests rather than binding. It will help you to organise your thinking and will give any prospective supervisor the most essential information. In this document, you should also outline how your proposed research fits within the department of Film and QMUL.

Your Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV) should include the following:

• Full Contact Details
• Education
• Professional Information
• Publications
• Grants, Honors, etc.

Step 4: Find a Supervisor & Submit Your Proposal

Email your research proposal to the staff you have identified as your potential supervisor(s). It is essential to contact at least one potential supervisor to discuss your proposed PhD project before you apply for admission. This is likely to include a draft proposal at this stage, and indicative of your interests rather than binding. It will help you to organise your thinking and will give any prospective supervisor the most essential information. Your proposal may be refined and redrafted after discussions with your prospective supervisors before you apply.

We normally do not accept students who have not yet secured agreement from a potential supervisor. If you are unsure who may be an appropriate supervisor for your project, have a look at the available supervisors below and/or contact Dr Alasdair King : a.king@qmul.ac.uk

What Happens Next

After discussing your proposal with potential supervisors, and subject to their support and guidance, you may wish to make a formal PhD application online on QMUL’s MySis platform. Note that indication of interest on the part of a potential supervisor does NOT guarantee acceptance into the programme. Applicants are advised to treat the letters of reference as an important component of their application. Ensure that your referees are able and willing to give enthusiastic support for your application and that they have adequate time to write their letters. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all elements of the application are submitted in time, including letters of reference.