Applied Screen Studies (PhD) (2023 entry)
Find out more about our PhD in Applied Screen Studies (by partial Practice as Research).
This PhD enables students to incorporate practice into their doctoral study, taking an approach which understands practice as a mode of research, or as the application of research.
Course overview
The project must be led by clear research questions, with the practice element working as a means to investigate, challenge or respond to those questions. The practice element can take a variety of forms and proportions (with a minimum of 30% and a maximum of 50%), but in all cases represents the exploration of critical, theoretical or historical issues in Film and Television/Screen Studies, through a practice-based output.
The various forms of this applied screen practice include, but are not limited to:
- A critical video essay
- A moving image and/or audio documentary or experimental film
- Curated screenings/an exhibition of creative works or artefacts
- A digital installation
- An innovative collaboration with a partner institution
- An engagement and impact project at regional, national or international level
The balance between written and practical elements in this PhD will depend on the form that the applied practice takes. Those making a documentary, for example, might produce a 40,000 word written piece that would represent 50% of their PhD.
Those pursuing a more traditional research-driven written doctoral project would produce a 55,000 word thesis and an 'applied research' portfolio, which translates the research into a set of screen-based impact and public engagement activities. This element would then represent 30% of the PhD.
At the mid-year review in Year One, the student presents a case for the percentage split of their particular project between traditional written thesis and practice work, and is also the point at which the particular form the practice element will take is agreed.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
A good Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Experience and/or training in the field or form related to the practice element of the proposed research is welcome.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band B
- 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 pageLink 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
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
Funding
- For UK and International students, the primary funding opportunity is a 3.5-year AHRC-based scholarship, provided through Midlands 4 Cities (M4C)Link opens in a new window.
The AHRC-funded Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training PartnershipLink opens in a new window (M4C) brings together eight leading universities across the Midlands to support the professional and personal development of the next generation of arts and humanities doctoral researchers. M4C is a collaboration between the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University of Warwick, Coventry University, University of Leicester, De Montfort University, Nottingham Trent University and The University of Nottingham.
M4C is awarding up to 60 fully funded doctoral studentships for UK and international applicants for 2023 through the Open Competition and 13 Collaborative Doctoral Awards.
The deadline for M4C funding is 11 January 2023 (noon) but expressions of interest should reach Film and Television Studies at Warwick no later than 30 November 2022. All proposals will be subject to internal approval. For enquiries and information related to PhD admissions, please contact the PhD admissions officer, Dr Tiago de Luca at t.de-luca@warwick.ac.uk. For further information about M4C and its partner institutions, including upcoming application writing workshops, please consult the Midlands 4 Cities siteLink opens in a new window.
- International applicants (including EU students) are also eligible for the Warwick Chancellor's International ScholarshipLink opens in a new window. The application deadline for this year’s competition is 14 December 2022. Applicants who hold a People’s Republic of China may also apply for the Warwick China Scholarship CouncilLink opens in a new window award.
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
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