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School of Arts and Creative Technologies
HomeSchool of Arts and Creative TechnologiesStudyPostgraduate research degrees in theatre, film, television and interactive mediaTheatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media (PhD)2023/24

PhD in Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media

Unleash your creativity with the production of a substantial piece of original research. 

Show year of entry: 2022

Supervisors

Funding

Our research

Length

3 years full-time
6 years part-time

Distance learning available

Apply for the PhD

Apply for the PhD by distance learning

Start dates

January
April
September
(semester dates)

Department

School of Arts and Creative Technologies

Fees

UK fees
International fees

Meet us

Meet us online or on campus and find out more about postgraduate study at York.

Find out more

We welcome PhD proposals on a wide variety of research topics relating to theatre, film, television and interactive media.

This PhD programme is aimed at individuals:

  • seeking to reach a professional standard of academic research and to pursue a career in either Higher Education or professional theatre, film, television or interactive media.
  • working professionally in theatre, film, television or interactive media who wish to make a career move into teaching and research in Higher Education.
  • working in theatre, film, television or interactive media who wish to develop their careers with the production of a substantial piece of original research.

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Our staff and their research interests offer a wide range of academic and professional practice expertise.

We welcome both discipline specific and interdisciplinary research projects and our school has a number of overarching research themes. These include:

  • Cultures, Histories and Legacies
  • Creative Technologies
  • Contemporary Practice
  • Community, Health, Inclusion and Education
  • Creative Industries Management and Marketing

Your research

Under the supervision of one or more staff members with expertise relevant to the project topic, you will research and write a thesis of between 80,000 and 100,000 words.

As a research student you are also supported by a Thesis Advisory panel (TAP) which includes an additional academic staff member who is not a supervisor.

The programme has a full-time and a part-time route. The full-time route comprises three years study, plus one optional additional year for completion. The part-time route comprises six years study.

You will need to pass formal progression points at 12 and 24 months to ensure your work is on track in terms of the production and presentation of your work.

Research excellence
83.3% of our research across film, theatre, television, and interactive media is rated 4* (REF 2021).
Creative insight
Join a creative community of industry professionals, dedicated academics and talented students.
Fantastic facilities
Gain access to professional theatres and performance spaces, TV studios, audio suites, production and post-production equipment, cinema and interactive media labs.

Funding

Explore Arts and Creative Technologies funding for MPhil/PhD researchers and wider postgraduate support.

Supervision

You will be assigned with a supervisor with expertise relevant to the project topic you will research, and develop a thesis on.

Course location

You will be based in the School of Arts and Creative Technologies on Campus East. Most of our facilities and supervisory staff are housed here.

We offer a distance learning (DL) option for this PhD programme if you cannot live in York full- or part-time. As part of the application process, we will ask for justification for taking the DL option and will then assess the feasibility for this research programme.

Entry requirements

You will have completed an undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above. In addition, you will normally have a Masters degree or at least three years' professional experience.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

English language requirements

Applying

Apply for the PhD in Theatre, Film, Television, and Interactive Media by research

Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.

Find out more about how to apply.

Research proposal

You will need to submit a proposal setting out:

  • The research question(s) that the PhD will address;
  • a clear indication of the methodologies to be adopted;
  • a summary of the relevant scholarly field or context that the project will engage with and contribute to; and
  • a provisional bibliography. 

You will also normally be required to provide a sample of your written work.

Careers and skills

Your PhD will help to extend your qualifications, allowing you to develop your knowledge and explore these exciting industries through research. You will become equipped with transferable skills in collaborative working, using critical analysis and creative thinking, technical analysis and investigative research. Ultimately, your PhD will help to open the door to various creative, technical, analytical, research and managerial roles in your chosen field within this growing industry.

Our dedicated careers team offer specific support including a programme of professional researcher development and careers workshops and 1:1 career support sessions. They will help you to build up your employability portfolio and to engage in activities that will build up your skills and experience within and outside of your research work.

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Accommodation

We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to deluxe.

Why York

Discover more about our researchers, facilities and why York is the perfect choice for your research degree.

Graduate Research School

Connect with researchers across all disciplines to get the most out of your research project.

Next steps

Meet us
Meet us online or on campus
Find out more
How to apply
Find out all you need to know about applying to York
Apply now
Scholarships
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Fund your study

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