Postgraduate research
Film studies
Join our community of researchers and explore a range of topics across film, television and cinema.
About
Our research at Southampton links national and global identities in cinema and television. We study historical approaches to cinema industries and audiences, along with the theory behind audio-visual aesthetics and their relationship with audiences.
You can explore a range of different research interests, with activities including national and international collaborative projects, major conferences and world-renowned publications.
Most of our staff are active researchers with a strong profile of critically acclaimed research publications. We see teaching and research as closely related and aim to offer our students first-hand access to recent discoveries, new ideas, and current debates in film.
In addition to more traditional research areas, we have expanded our focus to include:
- speaking, hosting and judging at film festivals
- DVD commentaries
- legal consultancies
- live music performances to films
- writing blogs
- appearing as experts on television documentaries
Main areas of research
Our researchers generally focus on one of these areas:
- National, transnational and global identities in cinema and television
- Historical approaches to cinema industries and audiences
- Film theory and audiovisual aesthetics
Similar research degree topics
Film studies staff have research links across the University with the departments of:
Staff also have research connections with other universities, through collaborative projects – for instance with Bristol University and Lund University) as well as activities (such as co-editing books).
Find a research project
Advertised PhD research projects
0 advertised projects
Funding and fees
Find a funded PhD project
We offer a wide range of fully funded studentships. We run several of our PhD studentships in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and guaranteed funding.
These studentships:
- are fully funded
- come with a maintenance grant to help towards living costs
- are open to UK and international students
Scholarships
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Fund your own PhD research project
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
Get industry sponsorship
You may be able to fund your postgraduate research with funding from your current employer or from industry.
Take out a PhD loan
You can borrow up to £29,390 for a PhD starting on or after 1 August 2024. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
Apply for funding from a charity
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
The fees are the same whether or not you're studying through distance learning.
2022 to 2023 entry:
| MPhil/PhD | UK | International | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | £4,596 | £18,000 | |
| Part time | £2,298 | £9,000 |
2023 to 2024 entry:
| MPhil/PhD | UK | International | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | tbc | £18,600 | |
| Part time | tbc | £9,300 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| MPhil/PhD | UK | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | £4,786 | £19,200 |
| Part time | £2,393 | £9,600 |
| Distance learning Full-time | £4,786 | £19,200 |
| Distance learning Part-time | £2,393 | £9,600 |
2025 to 2026 entry:
| MPhil/PhD | UK | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | To be confirmed 2025 | £19,620 |
| Part time | To be confirmed 2025 | £9,810 |
| Distance learning Full-time | To be confirmed 2025 | £19,620 |
| Distance learning Part-time | To be confirmed 2025 | £9,810 |
Alumni discount
You're eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you're a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
Potential supervisors
Research institutes, centres and groups
Our research is diverse and often interdisciplinary. It is grouped under a number of specific themes:
- investigations into the nexus between national
- transnational, and global identities and specificities in cinema and television
- historical approaches to cinema industries and audiences
- theoretical questions regarding audio-visual aesthetics and their relationship with audiences and practitioners
How to apply
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Choose your project type
Decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.
-
Contact your potential supervisors
It's a good idea to email potential supervisors to discuss the specifics of your project. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory. -
Gather your application documents
You’ll need to send us:
- your CV with details of your academic record and research interests
- your academic transcript
- details of 2 current academic referees, with their institutional email addresses
- a short statement of your research interests and reasons for choosing the projects you’re applying for
- IELTS or TOEFL certificate if English is not your first language
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Apply
Our PhDs start in September each year. You’ll need to submit your application for September entry by 1 July of that year.
If you require a visa to study with us, please apply as early as possible and allow plenty of time for visa applications.
Facilities
Entry requirements
You'll need a relevant UK Bachelor's degree with an upper second-class honours or higher and usually a Master's degree with Merit.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
Requirements for advertised projects
Check the specific entry requirements listed on the project you’re interested in before you apply.
Programmes and durations
Our Film studies PhD is available to study in person or remotely.
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
| Degree type | Full time | Part time |
| Film studies PhD/iPhD | 2 to 4 years | 3 to 7 years |
| Film studies MPhil | 1 to 2 years | 4 to 7 years |