PhD Studentship: Applied Screen Studies: Practice as Research MPhil/PhD
A practice-based doctoral programme integrating creative screen production with critical academic research.
Best for:Best for creative researchers in film and television studies who wish to combine scholarly writing with practical screen-based outputs.
Overview
The University of Warwick offers a unique MPhil/PhD programme in Applied Screen Studies that treats creative practice as a legitimate mode of academic inquiry. Students are expected to lead their research with clear questions, using practical outputs—such as video essays, documentaries, or digital installations—to investigate theoretical or historical issues. The curriculum requires a balance between a written thesis and a practical component, with the specific ratio determined during the first year. Candidates will work closely with a supervisory team and a designated mentor while completing mandatory research methods training.
What you'll do
- Develop and execute a research project that integrates creative practice with critical academic analysis.
- Produce a practice-based output such as a video essay, documentary, or digital installation.
- Complete a written thesis alongside the practical component, with the balance determined in consultation with supervisors.
- Participate in regular meetings with a supervisory team and a designated mentor.
- Attend and complete mandatory Research Methods classes to refine methodological knowledge.
- Present a formal case for the project's practice-to-writing ratio during the first-year mid-year review.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree in Film, Television, or a related field
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; proficiency level as required by the University of Warwick for doctoral study
Instruction: English
- Demonstrable experience in screen-based creative practice
- Ability to formulate clear research questions for practice-based inquiry
- Strong academic writing skills for the thesis component
- Capacity for critical and theoretical analysis
Funding & terms
How to apply
Interested candidates should visit the official university portal via the provided link. Applicants must prepare a research proposal that clearly outlines the intended practice-based component and its relationship to their research questions.
- Research proposal
- Academic transcripts
- Portfolio of creative work
- CV
- Reference letters
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