MPhil/PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (2025 Entry)

Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Warwick

Course code

P-L99B

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

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

Qualification

MPhil/PhD

Led by

Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-L99B

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

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

Qualification

MPhil/PhD

Led by

Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

Download our prospectus Link opens in a new window

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Explore our Interdisciplinary Studies MPhil/PhD degree at Warwick

Study Interdisciplinary Studies MPhil/PhD at Warwick's innovative and diverse Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies. With tailored guidance, and through an interdisciplinary approach, you will develop research expertise and an accompanying skillset.

Course overview

An interdisciplinary PhD at CIM allows you to conduct research in more than one area of inquiry and/or methodology, across innovative fields such as:

Complexity Science
Digital Media Research
Data Visualisation
Cultural Economy
Science and Technology Studies
Digital Sociology
Environmental Humanities

It will allow you to do research that might not fit easily in a traditional PhD programme.

An interdisciplinary study does not mean that you are ‘free floating’ or that you will not have identifiable expertise at the end of your study. It means that you will develop and acquire research expertise and an accompanying skillset that crosses more than one discipline, and the ability to engage with and contribute to broader interdisciplinary discussions within and beyond the university.

While CIM is not the only place where interdisciplinary study is possible, there are very few places where the development of interdisciplinary methodology is the focus. In CIM, you will benefit from tailored guidance from academics and professional staff with experience and expertise in the challenges of interdisciplinary research.

Teaching and learning

Supervision will be provided by top academic researchers with significant experience in undertaking research and contributing to methodology development across a range of disciplines, topics, methods.

Most doctoral students at CIM are supervised by two academics, with co-supervisors based in CIM or in relevant other departments at Warwick, such as:

Sociology
Computer Science
History
The Institute for Sustainable Development
The Centre for Media and Cultural Policy Studies

As CIM is a research centre, PhD students are exposed and contribute to a vibrant research environment, which includes:

PhD seminars
Workshops
Lectures
Work-in-progress forums
Study visits

Students may also participate in research projects based in CIM, and gain teaching experience.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree and a Master's (or equivalent) in a related subject.

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

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Research themes

Our research

CIM is a well-established research centre, and the PhD programmes are at the core of its culture.

Research is focused on the following main research areas:

Interdisciplinary Methodologies
Digital Sociology
Digital Media and Culture
Software Studies
Data Visualisation
Science and Technology Studies
Environmental Humanities

Full details of our research interests are listed on the CIM web pagesLink opens in a new window.

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.Link opens in a new window

Supervisors and proposals

Find a supervisor

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

Detailed sets of supervision topics can be found in academic's profile pages. Try to identify a potential supervisor, and make contact with them before submitting your application. If you require assistance identifying which member of staff is best placed to supervise your proposed research, please feel free to contact our Director of Postgraduate Research Studies n.calvillo@warwick.ac.uk.

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

Research proposals

The research proposal is the most important element of your PhD application. You need to submit a fully specified research proposal when you apply. This is your statement about why your project is interesting, how you will carry it out, and what academic debates and social problems your work addresses.

We look for a robust research proposal of around 2,000 words, although this is only a guideline. It has to convince us that your topic is feasible and that we have the right expertise to supervise it. The emphasis will be on the quality of the proposal and whether or not it fits with a particular supervisor’s research interests, not on the word count.

Find out more about our research proposal requirements on our websiteLink opens in a new window.

About the Department

Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies (CIM)

The Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies (CIM) was established at Warwick in 2012 to foster innovative and experimental forms of knowledge production through a sustained focus on methodology. CIM is dedicated to expanding the role of interdisciplinary methods through new lines of inquiry that cut across disciplinary boundaries, both intellectually and institutionally.

Method is central to the formation and transformation of disciplinary knowledges, and the challenge of working across and in between disciplines is both exciting and pressing. Our research team is drawn from across the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences, with expertise in a variety of substantive domains.

Within Warwick, CIM is an advocate of interdisciplinary research and study. Beyond Warwick and beyond the academy, CIM explores new forms of public engagement, both with potential research users and with the experts, experimenters and institutions in business, civil society and government that are at the forefront of applied methodological innovation.

Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate courses

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.

How to apply

Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.

For research courses that start in September and October 2025 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2025. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

Places are often limited, so we recommend that you submit your application as early as possible.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

Meet us

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

2024 entry

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See 2024 entry »

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)

Page updates

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 2025 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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MPhil/PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (2025 Entry)

Explore our Interdisciplinary Studies MPhil/PhD degree at Warwick

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

After you’ve applied

Applicant Portal

Admissions statement

Join a live chat

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

Page updates

About the information on this page

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