PhD Postgraduate research in Media and Communications

The School of Film, Media and Broadcasting offers a vibrant and stimulating environment for MPhil/PhD students. It includes the Research Centre for Film, Media, Discourse and Culture which has a well-established and proven track record of research and dissemination. Staff publish their work extensively, exhibit creative works and present at conferences globally and aim to bring their research to a wider community.

The Department especially prides itself on the levels of support provided to postgraduate research students in the course of their MPhil/PhD journey. Our academics are very committed to their subject areas and meet regularly with their supervisees to support them at all stages of the project; from inception to completion.

Our postgraduate research students have the opportunity to hone their research skills through participation in a comprehensive range of training events organised by both the Faculty of Arts and the University’s Doctoral College. This training gives you a broad range of academic and transferable skills that are not only vital to completing a PhD but are also relevant to academic employability and to the screen industries. For example, research students will learn how to present papers at conferences and write for scholarly publication. Postgraduate research students will also be encouraged to participate in conferences, both internal and external, and have opportunities to contribute to the University’s seminar programme. Funding can be provided for research visits and for students who wish to present their research at conferences, both in the UK and abroad.

The Centre for Film, Media, Discourse and Culture, which encompasses the Digital Technology, Theory and Practice Research Group, has an international reputation for excellence across a range of subjects and our staff are happy to receive inquiries regarding potential research topics. Our principal areas of research are:

• Animation
• Documentary filmmaking
• Terrorism, hate crime and 9/11 in film and media
• Fantasy and science fiction film and television
• Women directors
• Animal performance in film
• Science, medicine, health communication and sensation and tactility in screen representations of the body
• Film festivals
• Adaptation and writing formations
• Discourse of male suicide and representations of trauma
• Critical theory
• Religion and yoga cultures
• Media and communications and multiplatform journalism
• Television studies and Internet studies
• Media sociology and digital sociology
• Digital media, technology and culture, and participatory art
• Broadcast journalism
• Media and political theory
• Social media
• Fine art, photography and performance
• Experimental and mainstream moving image practice and theory

The Centre for Film, Media, Discourse and Culture also has an ongoing programme of conferences, public lectures and seminars and offers access to a range of archives and research materials.

The member of academic staff who leads this course is Bianca Fox

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

 Applicants for a research degree shall normally hold either:

 • a first or upper second class honours degree, or

 • a master’s degree, or

 • evidence of prior practice or learning that is accepted by the Dean of Research.

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English at least to the level of an IELTS score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no individual element less than 6.0. The only exemption to this is for students who are not required to do so as per UKVI regulations: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english. 

 

Financial support for research study:

Before applying, you should consider carefully how you will finance your studies for the duration of your programme, including tuition fees, research support fees and living costs.

Government loans (Home Fee Status):

Government loans are available for postgraduate research students of up to £28,673, to cover fees and living expenses. More information can be found at Doctoral-loans website.

Studying in the UK:Guidance for EU students

For 2021/22 new entrants, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fee status and financial support from Student Finance England.

Self-funded:

We are able to take payments in instalments, to spread out the cost of your studies, and it is possible to switch between full-time and part-time modes of study. For more information go to How to pay.

Postgraduate Research Loyalty Discount:

To students progressing from an undergraduate programme and/or a taught postgraduate programme to a postgraduate research programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree and/or Masters level qualification, as long as the new award is at a higher level.

For full terms and conditions please see: Loyalty Discount for Postgraduate Research Students

Research councils:

The UK Research and Innovation funds postgraduate study in all subject areas on a discretionary basis.

University Research Studentships:

The University offers a very limited number of research stipends, formerly known as bursaries, to research students. Stipends are designed to support specific projects as determined by the Research Institute rather than individual student-led projects. Funds are accessible from the relevant Research Institute or Centre - please contact them directly.

Other sources:

Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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