Film and/or Television Studies (MPhil/PhD) (2025 Entry)

Students of Film and Television Studies at the University of Warwick

Course code

P-W5P2

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

3-4 years full-time;
7 years part-time

Qualification

MPhil/PhD

Led by

Film and Television Studies

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-W5P2

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

3-4 years full-time;
7 years part-time

Qualification

MPhil/PhD

Led by

Film and Television Studies

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

Download our prospectus Link opens in a new window

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Find out more about our Film and/or Television Studies MPhil/PhD at Warwick

Join the MPhil/PhD in Film and/or Television Studies in order to conduct innovative, world-leading research. Warwick's Film and Television Studies is home to state-of-the-art facilities and world-renowned experts who will guide you as you carry out your research project.

Course overview

A PhD in Film and/or Television Studies will help you to shape the field of moving image studies, as you develop original research which intervenes in the most exciting and relevant discipline in the Arts and Humanities.

In partnership with your dedicated supervisor or supervisory team, you will be supported on your journey to becoming a fully independent researcher in screen studies. You will be able to take advantage of the unparalleled resources our department has to offer, from global experts in film and television history, theory and criticism, to 35mm film projection and a digital editing suite. You will join a vibrant and international community of scholars, with the opportunity to participate in an exciting programme of research seminars and professional development and training events.

Teaching and learning

Doctoral Studies in Film and Television Studies proceeds through regular meetings between the student and their PhD supervisor or supervisory team, with the additional resource of a designated mentor. Together, you will design and develop your topic and the structure of your thesis, refining your research and writing through a process of drafts and close commentary, constructive critique and discussion. You will also be required to take Research Methods classes in order to deepen your knowledge of existing debates and methodologies in the field. The department also offers teaching opportunities for PhD students from their second-year of study onwards, subject to availability and a formal application process in any given year.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

A good Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

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.

Academic References

We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses, and two academic references for research courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

View our guide to academic references.Link 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@warwick.ac.uk to ascertain if their intended project can be supervised in this department.

Research themes

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
Ecocinema

The Department of Film and Television Studies is the home of The Centre for Television HistoriesLink opens in a new window. There are often opportunities for graduate students to be involved in associated activities.

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.

Supervisors and proposals

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 staffLink opens in a new window with many research strengths who could be your supervisors.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.Link opens in a new window

Research proposals

In order to ascertain if a project can be supervised by one of our staff members in Film and Television Studies, we kindly ask prospective applicants to send the following:

A research proposal of around 2,000 words containing title, research aims and questions, methodology, scope of the project, and an indicative bibliography.
Your most updated CV.
A sample of your best writing on film and/or television (a chapter from your Master’s dissertation, for example).

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.

Find your research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding

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.

For UK and International students, the primary funding opportunity is a 3.5-year AHRC-based scholarship, provided through the Midlands4Cities consortium (M4C)Link opens in a new window.

The AHRC-funded Midlands4Cities (M4C)Link opens in a new window 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 70 fully funded doctoral studentships for UK and international applicants for 2024 through the Open Competition and 13 Collaborative Doctoral Awards.

All proposals will be subject to internal approval. For enquiries and information, please contact the PhD admissions officer, Professor Michele Aaron at M.Aaron@warwick.ac.uk. For further information about M4C and its partner institutions, including upcoming application writing workshops, please consult the Midlands4Cities website.

International applicants (including EU students) are also eligible for the Warwick Chancellor's International Scholarship. Applicants who hold a People’s Republic of China may also apply for the Warwick China Scholarship Council award.

Department

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

Our courses

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How to apply checklist

Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application

Read the checklist

I'm ready to apply

Learn more about the Applicant Portal.

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Application deadlines

The application process for course that start in September and October 2026 opens on 2 October 2025.

For research courses that start in September and October 2026 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2026. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

Useful links

Applicant portal
After your applied
Admissions statement
Join a Live Chat

2024 entry

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Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

Warwick hosted events
Postgraduate Fairs
Live chats
Talk and Tours
Department events

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Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

8th in the UK

in the Guardian University Guide 2025

6th Most Targeted University

by the UK's top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd)

69th in the World

out of 1,500 institutions across 104 locations (QS World University Rankings 2025)

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2026 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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Film and/or Television Studies (MPhil/PhD) (2025 Entry)

Find out more about our Film and/or Television Studies MPhil/PhD at Warwick

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

How to apply checklist

I'm ready to apply

Explore ways to connect with us

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

8th in the UK

6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

5th best student city in the UK

Gold standard teaching

92% of our research

About the information on this page

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