Film Studies - Research

Overview

We offer graduate research programmes in both critical and creative practice. These are designed for students who wish to conduct research into historical and/or broader theoretical issues in film, media, and screen cultures, or those who are interested in pursuing their PhD qualification through creative research. We encourage cross-disciplinary projects, especially those involving other areas within the School of Arts, English, and Languages.



There are three Programme routes:

• PhD in Film and Visual Studies (Critical Practice): This route offers students the opportunity to undertake advanced, original research in one of our current areas of specialisation, for example: animation studies; British cinema and television; censorship and regulation; documentary; film and sound; impact of new screen technologies; political film; screen industries; and world and comparative film studies.



• PhD in Film and Visual Studies (Creative Practice): This route involves the production of a body of supervised creative work, accompanied by a written critical treatment contextualising this work with the broader field of film and screen cultures. Recent successful creative practice PhDs have focussed on: documentary filmmaking; experimental film practice; fiction storytelling and direction; screenwriting; and sound design.



• MPhil in Film Studies: This third route also offers students the opportunity to undertake advanced Masters-level research through either critical or creative practice in one of our areas of specialisation.



Mode of study/duration: Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).



Subject Summary

You wish to conduct research into historical or broader theoretical issues in film and audiovisual cultures, or wish to undertake practice-led research. You have two pathways to choose from: a Creative Practice route, examining areas such as Documentary Film, Conflict Transformation, New Media and Experimental Aesthetic Practices; and a Film and Visual Studies route, looking at cinema history and historiography, sound and film, world and comparative film studies, documentary film, and Irish film and audiovisual culture.



Students can conduct research into theoretical issues in film and screen cultures, or wish to undertake creative research in a specified area or areas of film production. To attain a doctoral level qualification, students choose either a PhD in Film & Visual Studies (critical practice) route involving extensive and rigorous study into a chosen area in film, media and screen studies, or the PhD in Film & Visual Studies (Creative Practice) route which involves the completion of a practice-based research project focussing on a particular area or areas of film and screen production. An M.Phil qualification in Film Studies by research is also available, and can be pursued through either a predominantly critical or creative research methodology.

Graduate

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in an Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences subject. While a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) is not essential, it is desirable and applicants without this qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis.



Applicants may also be considered if they can demonstrate appropriate relevant experience. PhD Integrated Pathway (4 Years)



The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences PhD Integrated 4 year programme will constitute 1 year of taught modules, independent study to develop research skills and PhD study proposal, followed by progression to a further 3 years of PhD research.



Students of the 4 year programme will benefit from:

- An additional year to develop research skills and subject expertise through taught modules

- A more thorough understanding of the demands of PhD study

- Enhanced support to develop a robust and feasible research proposal for PhD

- A stronger foundation from which to deliver a successful PhD thesis To find out more email ael@qub.ac.uk

http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/AHSS/filestore/Filetoupload,925013,en.pdf

6 Calendar Years (Part Time) / 3 Calendar Years (Full Time).

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects

Introduction

Many of our PhD graduates have moved into academic and research roles in Higher Education while others go on to play leading roles in educational practice, the public sector, NGOs and the creative industries.

Associated Research

Documentary and ethnographic film

Interactive Documentary

Cinema history

Experimental film

Irish film and audiovisual culture

Relations between film and the visual arts

World and comparative film studies

British film and cinema

Film controversy and film censorship