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.
We offer two postgraduate research programmes: Film Studies PhD/MA by Research and our Audio-Visual PhD.
We offer promising candidates the opportunity to carry out research in one of the most dynamic institutions in Britain. We give all possible support to our researchers, developing the resources available at the University and encouraging an active postgraduate environment for the exchange of information and ideas. You'll be supervised by staff with a wealth of experience and expertise across various aspects of film, television, cinema and production.
Our Film Studies PhD/MA by Research is a collaboration between the Departments of Film and Creative Writing and Modern Languages, which share a vibrant and fast-growing postgraduate community that is closely associated with B-Film: The Birmingham Centre for Film Studies.
The MA by Research programme requires you to prepare a thesis of up to 40,000 words on a topic of your choice, for which an academic staff member will provide expert supervision. The PhD, the most advanced research degree, leads to a thesis of up to 80,000 words on a subject of your choice, also under the expert supervision of an academic member of staff.
Meanwhile, our Film Studies Audio-Visual PhD gives you the opportunity to film and edit an hour-long documentary film as part of your research, accompanied by a 30,000-word written defence. You will work with supervisors and technicians to develop this practice-based project, using our editing suites and filming equipment.
Our Film Studies PhD/MA by Research programme can be studied on campus or by distance learning. Please note that if you are studying with us by distance learning, there is a required visit to campus during your first year of study.
Research interests of staff include:
We have particular strengths in research that focuses on the audio-visual aspects of Film Studies. Our academics have a range of expertise, from film aesthetics and production, to screenwriting and adaptation.
For full research interests of staff, please read our staff profiles or visit the research interest tab on each programme's webpage.
Funding Notes
Please visit the College of Arts and Law funding page for information on possible funding opportunities: View Website. You can find out about all the scholarships that are available on our Postgraduate Funding Database. If you find a scholarship that you are interested in, we would recommend you check the application guidelines as these can differ between funding schemes. For some of them, you can apply for funding as soon as you have submitted an application for the course. If you would like to start in 2024, applications for the AHRC Midlands4Cities Scholarship opened on 16 October 2023 and closes on 10 January 2024.
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