people in a theatre, watching a film

Postgraduate research in film and media

Ready to start your research career? Explore our postgraduate research degrees in film and media

If you're ready to take your expertise in Film and Media into a postgraduate research qualification, look no further than Portsmouth.

At a time when society is increasingly shaped by the media we consume and create, our research is exploring how film and other forms of screen media shape people's attitudes and beliefs, and how it informs their daily lives.

Our research staff have specialisms in fandom and popular culture, history and theory of animation, Hollywood film, British film, digital content, horror, transmedia storytelling, adaptation, comics and film, Latin American film, transnational cinemas, gender and film, women's filmmaking, queer theory and film, and film and migration.

When you study for a postgraduate research degree with us, you'll be following in the footsteps of previous research students who've presented their work at international conferences, published their outputs in renowned journals, and worked at academic and commercial archives, including the British Film Institute (BFI), the National Archives, The Bill Douglas Centre, the BBC Written Archives and at Channel 4.

Our Doctoral graduates have gone on to careers across the cultural industries, while others have been appointed as post-doctoral researchers on projects funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and established successful academic careers across the globe.

"My PhD supervisor is an accomplished author and editor of the oldest literary magazine in the world. It's an amazing opportunity to be mentored by someone with such talent and a proven record in the field"

Maddie Wallace, PhD Film, Media and Communication

Research degrees

Find out about our PhD, MPhil, and PhD by Publication opportunities in Film and Media below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.

Film & Media PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Film and Media, or submit your own research idea. 

PhD and MPhil projects

Funded

There are currently no funded PhD projects available in this area – for more information on funding your own research project, visit our pages on funding your research degree.

Submit your own idea

If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

For more information, please visit our PhD by Publication page.

Duration, fees and funding 

What do my tuition fees cover?

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

  • The cost of your postgraduate research programme* at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
  • Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through The Graduate School
  • Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
  • A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
  • Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
  • Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 77% of our research is world leading and internationally excellent in REF 2021
  • Your graduation ceremony
  • Viva examination and administration costs
  • The facilities and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the Library, and laboratories
  • Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
  • University support services including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
  • Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
  • Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

*Please note that some research programmes may come with additional bench fees.

How long will my research degree take?

  • MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
  • PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
  • PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

How much will my degree cost?

PhD and MPhil

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students 

  • Full-time:   £4,712 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,356 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship)

  • Full-time:   £4,712 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,356 per year (may be subject to annual increase)*

International students  

  • Full-time: £17,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,600 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

PhD by Publication 

External candidates: £4,712

Members of staff: £1,850

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2023/24 please visit this page.

PhD and MPhil

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students 

  • Full-time:   £4,786 per year 
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship)

  • Full-time:   £4,786 per year
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year

International students  

  • Full-time: £17,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,600 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

PhD by Publication 

External candidates: £4,786

Members of staff: £1,950

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2024/25 please visit this page.

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Funding support

MPhil full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Postgraduate Loan (UK/EU students only).

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan (UK/EU students only).

For information on other sources of funding, visit our funding your postgraduate research degree page.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, or MPhil include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Exemptions apply to those applicants who have studied in the UK, and to applicants with a degree whose medium of instruction is English.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our Graduate School, alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Graduate School will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers training, workshops and events.

You'll have access to high-tech resources and technology, including: a 92-seat fully-equipped theatre, multimedia studios (PC and Mac), large-scale 3D immersive Virtual Reality room, motion capture facilities, advanced interface devices including haptic feedback and EMG sensors as used for Intelligent Systems Research, TV studio, sound/music studios, and photographic facilities.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

Apply

Apply for a research degree in Film and Media by completing our online form.

April (2024 start)

October (2024 start)

February (2025 start)

Current research

Explore the research we're doing across our 3 areas of expertise in Film and Media.

Film studies and screen practice research

We're exploring the relationship between film, screen studies and communities. Explore our film studies and screen practice research.

people in a theatre, watching a film
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Conflict and Culture

Through our research in this area of expertise, we're analysing the artistic treatment of social crisis and military conflict, and how they're represented through media.

Photojournalist surrounded by riot police, Paris, France
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Media and popular culture

We're exploring new cultures of production and consumption to understand how media audiences are becoming content creators. Explore our media and popular culture research.

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