Research students benefit from being part of a close-knit community of research students constantly in contact with an energetic and dedicated group of specialist scholars with a broad range of interests. This is held together by research events such as visiting speakers, research workshops and our yearly departmental conference, all under the aegis of the Centre for International Film Research (CIFR).
As an intimate and friendly department, PhD students meet regularly with staff and other students. The presence of senior scholars with well-established teaching, research and supervisory expertise allows for careful guidance towards thesis completion. A supervisory team will support your academic and professional development, which includes individually tailored specialist skills training. We have an extremely wide range of subject matter for which supervision can be offered, stemming from an experienced and diverse selection of staff, all of whom have international status for their research. Research can take the form of empirical research, theoretical research and even includes the option of a practical component to the thesis.
We will encourage you to engage actively in current debates in Film Studies, and to take on professional tasks early in your candidature. This might include conference participation, publishing an academic article or contributing to academic teaching. Indeed, we not only have an outstanding record of student achievement in terms of publication and presentation during candidates, but also an exemplary record of students publishing their theses after completion. Graduates go on to teach, lecture, write or contribute to the film industry in a variety of ways.
Areas of research expertise
Our main activities lie in the areas listed below, but we are happy to consider PhD proposals in any area of film and media studies: Film History, Film Industries, Film Festivals, Film Policy, Film Theory, Film Aesthetics, World Cinema, Transnational Cinema, National Cinema & National Identity, American Cinema, British Cinema, French Cinema, German Cinema, Italian Cinema, Irish Cinema, Chinese-language Cinemas, Japanese Cinema, Korean Cinema, European Cinema, Latin-American Cinema, Censorship in Cinema, Film and Intermediality, Women Film Makers, Film Reception and Film Audiences, Film Psychology, Gender and Sexuality in the Cinema, Popular Film Genres, Television, Video Games, Horror Films, Film Musicals, Science Fiction Films, Representation of Science, Cult Film and Television, Silent Cinema, Sounds of Silent Cinema, Film and Television Sound and Music, Historical Representations of the Past, Children and Film/Television, Celebrity Studies, Star Studies, War and Film and Audiovisual Technologies.
We are known nationally and internationally for our excellence in research and teaching, and are continually improving the scope and delivery of our activities. We aim to generate a community of doctoral graduates equipped to act as research leaders in the discipline of Film.
Film offers supervision from world leading researchers in multiple specialisms that include such areas as American, British and World Cinema and film theory and film reception and audiences. In addition to specialist seminars and guided tutorials, students will have access to training sessions on such topics as academic writing, and conference organisation.
Career opportunities are wide ranging and varied. Opportunities exist as a member of a research team in academia, leading to future leadership positions within an academic context. The nature of the generic and discipline-specific skills obtained during your study make your experience and skills attractive to a range of organisations post qualification.
Doctoral Programme Director:
Professor Kevin Donnelly
Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 9426
Email: K.J.Donnelly@soton.ac.uk
www.southampton.ac.uk/film/
View the doctoral programme profile for this course
To Apply
Application process and required supporting documents
- University online application including a personal statement
- Research proposal
- Transcript
- 2 references
- English language certification (if relevant)
- Sample of written work
Candidates are advised to contact prospective supervisors with the subject of their proposed research prior to application.
Contact for postgraduate enquiries:
Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 7433
fah-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk
www.southampton.ac.uk/film
Key facts
Duration: Up to 4 years (full-time); up to 7 years (part-time)
Assessment: Thesis (max. 75,000 words), viva voce
Start date: Normally September and January each year
Closing date: 3 months before start date (also dependent on funding body deadlines); an application decision cannot be guaranteed in time for programme commencement unless a complete application is received in good time - students requiring a visa to study should also allow extra time for visa processes; informal enquiries welcome at any time
Other University of Southampton sites
Typical entry requirements
Academic entry requirements: First or upper second-class honours degree and normally Masters at Merit * level, or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University in an arts-related subject.
(* Merit 60%-69%, Distinction 70%+)
Previous study of Film at undergraduate level is useful but not essential.
Equivalent Qualifications: We will also consider candidates who do not have a Masters degree if they can demonstrate; outstanding undergraduate performance including evidence of preparedness for research (e.g. first class honours and 75% or more in the dissertation in a relevant subject); or other appropriate qualifications.
English language entry requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in all components, or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University.
Selection process
Selection process: Online application and interview
Applications will be assessed under the following
- Evidence of general academic aptitude
- Preparedness or promise for doctoral research
- Quality of the research project proposal
- Fit with Southampton's research expertise
Applicant Quality: Your application will be judged against the following criteria:
- it provides evidence that you meet our entry requirements
- it demonstrates your personal suitability and commitment to undertake Doctoral study
- it provides supportive references that indicate your suitability to undertake a PhD
- it presents a well-focused and high quality research proposal which indicates potential to contribute original research to the discipline
- it demonstrates critical awareness of the scholarly field to which the research will contribute, and appropriate methods to carry out this work
- it may strengthen your application if you can demonstrate genuine interest in working with a named academic in the department
Personal Statement: Use your Personal Statement to provide additional information relevant to your application. This should include the following:
- outline your reasons for wishing to conduct postgraduate research in your chosen area
- explain how your proposed research matches the research environment and supervisory expertise offered by Film Studies at Southampton
- reflect on how your education, skills, and experience will equip you for PhD study and to undertake your planned research
- indicate details of any other achievements/interests
- indicate any special circumstances pertaining to the academic record
- tell us what you hope to get from the programme
This page contains specific entry requirements for this course. Find out about
equivalent
entry requirements and qualifications for your country.
Tuition fees
Fees for postgraduate research degrees vary across the University. All fees are listed for UK and international full-time and part-time students alphabetically by course name.
| Course Title | Award | Year of Entry | Mode of Study | UK | International |
|---|
| Film |
MPhil/PhD |
2023 |
Full-time |
£4,596 |
£18,600 |
| Film |
MPhil/PhD |
2023 |
Part-time |
£2,298 |
£9,300 |
| Film (distance learning) |
MPhil/PhD |
2023 |
Full-time |
£4,596 |
£18,600 |
| Film (distance learning) |
MPhil/PhD |
2023 |
Part-time |
£2,298 |
£9,300 |
Scholarships, bursaries, sponsorships or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.
Explore funding opportunities