Applied Screen Studies: Practice as Research (PhD) (2025 entry)
Find out more about our PhD in Applied Screen Studies (by partial Practice as Research) degree at Warwick
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 and/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 will present a case for the percentage split of their particular project between the written thesis and practice work. This is also the point at which the format of the practice element will be decided.
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
- 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.
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 2022/23 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 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.
Applied Screen Studies 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.
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. Applicants who hold a People’s Republic of China may also apply for the Warwick China Scholarship CouncilLink opens in a new window award.
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
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.
How to apply for a postgraduate research course
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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.