Media & Broadcast - Integrated - Research

Overview
The Integrated PhD is designed to prepare you for doctoral-level study by providing a year of taught modules and focused supervision before you move on to your PhD research. The programme is suitable for all those wishing to engage in research but should appeal to those who have the basis of a research project but require additional support to develop this into a feasible PhD study. During Year 1, in addition to completing taught modules, students will also enrol on a year-long non-credit-bearing Independent Study Module

The doctoral programme in media and broadcast offers opportunities for both critical and creative practice. Doctoral candidates can focus on 'traditional' historical, critical and theoretical studies resulting in an extensive written thesis, or concentrate on practice-led research. The media and broadcast programme presents an ideal opportunity for interdisciplinary research, connecting with areas both within and beyond the School of Arts, English and Languages.

There are three programme routes:

PhD in Media and Broadcast (Creative Practice)

The PhD (Creative Practice) results in a body of supervised creative work supported by a written critical component that places the creative output within the broader field of media and broadcast cultures and engages with appropriate critical approaches to this material. Particular areas of supervision expertise include documentary production and digital media.

PhD in Media and Broadcast (Critical Practice)

Doctoral candidates undertaking the PhD (Critical Practice) will develop advanced, original research relating to their chosen subject. Particular areas of supervision include the history of broadcast media and fantastic genres.

MPhil

The MPhil offers candidates the opportunity to undertake either critical or creative practice at an advanced level in one of our areas of specialisation.

Learning Outcomes
A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field. Undertaking a research degree can enhance a student's written and oral communication skills and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.

Course structure
After the additional first year of taught modules on the integrated PhD, there is no specific course content as such, as the specific elements of your studies will depend upon your particular research focus and methodology. You will carry out your research under the guidance of your supervisor, who will aid you in identifying appropriate training and development opportunities.

Over the course of study you can attend postgraduate skills training organised by the Graduate School. This will not only help you to develop skills of specific relevance to your particular research, but also engage with aspects of professionalising your PhD, supporting you as a researcher, an academic, and in a range of potential employment environments.

If you successfully progress to the first year of the PhD phase of your studies, you will normally register, in the first instance, as an 'undifferentiated PhD student' which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake an MPhil or a PhD is delayed until you have completed 'differentiation'.

Differentiation takes place about 9-12 months after registration for full time students and about 18-30 months for part time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the 'Differentiation Panel'. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification.

To complete with a doctoral qualification in the critical practice pathway you will be required to submit a thesis of approximately 80,000 words. For the creative practice pathway, you will submit a significant piece or portfolio of original creative work, together with a substantial reflective essay placing that work into its relevant contexts. In both cases you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.

A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required.

The PhD is open to both full and part time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or consultancy.

Full time students are often attracted to research degree programmes because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest.

The part time research degree is an exciting option for professionals who are seeking to extend their knowledge on an issue of professional interest. Often part time candidates choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities.

If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question needs to engage with the research interests of one of our staff.

Graduate
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in an Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences subject.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

HOW TO APPLY
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Application Process
Please review the eligibility criteria on the webpages. If you believe that you meet these criteria then follow the steps below:

Select ONE potential supervisor from our list of Academic Staff (http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Connect/Staff/) and send an email containing:

a brief CV (1-2 pages maximum)
a concise statement that you are interested in studying for a PhD, stating when you would start, and how you would plan to fund the research
a brief statement of the research question or interest, and how you think the question could be investigated

Our academic staff welcome approaches from prospective students; staff can liaise with applicants to develop a research proposal of mutual interest. The potential supervisor should get back to you within a couple of weeks. They may invite you to meet with them or they may invite you to apply formally.

For part-time study – the closing date for this option is 31st August each year.

For full-time study (self-funding) – for those full time candidates who do not wish to compete for a studentship or who are not eligible to compete for a studentship the closing date is 31st August each year.

For full-time study and application for a scholarship/award; please be aware that awards are only available to full time students. Candidates wishing to apply for scholarships available within the School must apply for full-time study at the same time. Available scholarships and closing dates are detailed on the School's Scholarships web page: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Study/FundingScholarships/#postgraduate

3 academic years full-time, 6 academic years part-time.

Career Prospects
Introduction
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability.

Employment after the Course
For further information on career development opportunities at PhD level please contact the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Career Development Team on ahssdevoffice@qub.ac.uk / +44 28 9097 5175 Development Officers Cathy Wilson and Aileen Carson will be happy to provide further information on your research area career prospects.