Key information
Full-time - 4 years
- Start dates:
- April 2024
- July 2024
- October 2024
- January 2025
Part-time - 8 years
- Start dates:
- April 2024
- July 2024
- October 2024
- January 2025
Why choose this programme
We belong to the interdisciplinary School of Literature and Languages, which has research-active staff in English literature, creative writing, film studies, translation studies, theoretical and applied linguistics, and literary and cultural studies.
Our film researchers work on a range of specialist areas within the areas of cinema studies and visual studies, including:
- Issues of gender
- The connection between music and the cinema
- Documentary film and media
- Genre cinema
- Cognitive analysis of the moving image
- Animation studies.
Our researchers have close links to the Department of Music and Media at Surrey, which also carries out cutting-edge research.
We’re part of TECHNE, an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)-funded doctoral training partnership, which provides access to comprehensive academic and professional training programmes, as well as the possibility of funding for your studies.
The University of Surrey is 33rd in the UK rankings for overall research quality by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. Forty-one per cent of Surrey’s research is rated as world-leading, the highest possible rating, up from 22% when REF last took place in 2014. The University is now also ranked in the top 20 in the UK for the overall quality of research outputs – research papers and other published works.
Our diverse mix of subject specialities means we’re a vibrant and imaginative community with plenty of opportunity for intellectual exchange.
What you will study
Our PhD in Film Studies will train you in critical and analytical skills, research methods, and knowledge that will equip you for your professional or academic career. It normally takes around three or four years to complete our full-time PhD.
You’ll be assigned a primary and secondary supervisor, who will meet with you regularly to read and discuss your work and make sure that you’re on track. For us, writing is essential for understanding and developing new perspectives, so you’ll be submitting written work right from the start of your course.
In your first year, you’ll refine your research proposal and plan the structure of your work with the guidance and support of your supervisors. As you go into your second and third year, you’ll gradually learn to work more independently, and your supervisors will guide you on how to present at conferences and get your work published.
As a doctoral student in the School of Literatures and Languages, you’ll receive a structured training programme covering the practical aspects of being a researcher, including grant-writing, publishing in journals, and applying for academic jobs.
Assessment
After 12-15 months, you’ll submit a substantial piece of work for a confirmation examination. The examination will be conducted by two internal members of staff not on your supervisory team and will give you the opportunity to gain additional guidance on your research-to-date. The final two years of your PhD will be devoted to expanding and refining your work ready for submission of the final thesis.
Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination by a panel of one or more external examiners as well as an internal examiner. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.
Research support
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
Research news
Research impact
Research themes
- Environmental humanities
- Animation
- Documentary
- Cognitive analysis of moving image
- The film industry and popular film/culture.
Our academic staff
See a full list of all ouracademic staffwithin the School of Literature and Languages.
School
School of Literature and Languages
Research centres and themes
Centre for Translation Studies
Research in Literature and Languages
Research facilities
You’ll be allocated shared office space within the School of Literature and Languages and have full access to our library and online resources. Our close proximity to London also means that the British Library and many other important archives are within easy reach.
You’ll also be able to take advantage of a wide range of services to support and develop your writing and research skills, including the University’s Researcher Development Programme. In addition to a number of excellent training opportunities offered by the University, our PhD students can take additional subject-specific training and take part in the School’s seminars and events which provide a valuable opportunity to meet visiting scholars whose work connects with our own research strengths.
Support
Academic support Disability and neurodiversity support English language support
Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to hold a a good first-class UK degree (a minimum 2:1 or equivalent) and an MA in a relevant topic.
Applicants are expected to hold an upper second-class (2:1) UK degree (65 per cent or above) in psychology (or a related discipline).
International entry requirements by country
English language requirements
IELTS Academic:7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent).
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Application requirements
Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of ourapplication guidance.
After registration
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
Selection process
Selection is based on applicants:
- Meeting the expected entry requirements
- Being shortlisted through the application screening process
- Completing a successful interview
- Providing suitable references.
Fees
Start date: April 2024
Full-time
- UK
- £4,712
- Overseas
- £18,600
Part-time
- UK
- £2,356
- Overseas
- £9,300
Start date: July 2024
Full-time
- UK
- £4,712
- Overseas
- £18,600
Part-time
- UK
- £2,356
- Overseas
- £9,300
Start date: October 2024
Full-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £20,200
Part-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £10,100
Start date: January 2025
Full-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £20,200
Part-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £10,100
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
- Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).
View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.
Additional costs
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.
Funding
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Apply online
If you are applying for a studentship to work on a particular project, please provide details of the project instead of a research proposal.
Read our application guidance for further information on applying.
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
1. Select your course
Select the course you wish to apply for.
2. Sign in
To apply online sign in or create an account.
Course | Status |
|---|---|
Film Studies PhD Full-time, April 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 1 March 2024 |
Apply | |
Film Studies PhD Part-time, April 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 1 March 2024 |
Apply | |
Film Studies PhD Full-time, July 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 19 April 2024 |
Apply | |
Film Studies PhD Part-time, July 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 19 April 2024 |
Apply | |
Film Studies PhD Full-time, October 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 1 July 2024 |
Apply | |
Film Studies PhD Part-time, October 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 1 July 2024 |
Apply | |
Film Studies PhD Full-time, January 2025 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 18 October 2024 |
Apply | |
Film Studies PhD Part-time, January 2025 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 18 October 2024 |
Apply | |
Code of practice for research degrees
Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag Hill
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
Contact Admissions Team
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH
