Applied Screen Studies (PhD)

at University of Warwick

The project must be led by clear research questions, with the practice element working as a means to investigate, challenge or respond to those questions. The practice element can take a variety of forms and proportions (with a minimum of 30% and a maximum of 50%), but in all cases represents the exploration of critical, theoretical or historical issues in Film and Television/Screen Studies, through a practice-based output.

The various forms of this applied screen practice include, but are not limited to:

• A critical video essay
• A moving image and/or audio documentary or experimental film
• Curated screenings/an exhibition of creative works or artefacts
• A digital installation
• An innovative collaboration with a partner institution
• An engagement and impact project at regional, national or international level

The balance between written and practical elements in this PhD will depend on the form that the applied practice takes. Those making a documentary, for example, might produce a 40,000 word written piece that would represent 50% of their PhD.

Those pursuing a more traditional research-driven written doctoral project would produce a 55,000 word thesis and an 'applied research' portfolio, which translates the research into a set of screen-based impact and public engagement activities that should start but might not be completed during doctoral study. This element would then represent 30% of the PhD.

At the mid-year review in Year One, the student presents a case for the percentage split of their particular project between traditional written thesis and practice work, and is also the point at which the particular form the practice element will take is agreed.

Our research

• Film and Television Aesthetics, History and Theory
• Classical and Contemporary Hollywood Cinema
• European Cinema (especially British, Italian, French and Spanish)
• British and US Television
• Documentary Film and Television
• Silent Cinema
• Feminist Film and Television Theory, History and Criticism
• World Cinema
• Queer Film Cultures
• Film and Philosophy
• Experimental Film and Video
• Film and Television Genre
• Film and Modernity
• Film Technology and Innovation
• Cities and Landscapes in Film and Television
• Critical Studies of the Archive
• Transnational Cinemas
• Screen Ethics
   

Minimum requirements

A good Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Experience and/or training in the field or form related to the practice element of the proposed research is welcome.

English language requirements

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
   

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.