Overview
Our PhD research programmes will allow you to join one of our research projects or explore your own interests in Film and Television Production, supported by the expertise of our staff.
Supervision and support
You’ll be supervised and supported by staff who have professional and academic expertise in film and television production, and have worked on the production of many films, documentaries and television programmes. Our research expertise includes:
Shreepali Patel: documentary; creative tools of production in storytelling across genres; audience/user engagement in site specific, multi-platform and interactive audio-visual projects; cross-disciplinary collaborations between audiovisual art, science and politics.
Catherine Elliott: social history and film; the documentary; gender and television; current trends in the British television industry; the history of educational television.
Sophie Jackson: alternative storytelling in both fiction and non-fiction films; the changing landscape of financing and distribution of independent films.
Where you'll research
Your department and faculty
Using our creative expertise and industry connections in Cambridge and beyond, we create experiences that entertain, educate, inspire and improve lives.
At Cambridge School of Creative Industries, we believe in the importance of experimentation and risk-taking to create experiences that entertain, educate, inspire and improve lives.
Whether writing bestselling fiction, creating challenging documentaries or sharing a piano with people on the autism spectrum, the expertise of our staff goes far beyond teaching. Their research produces significant funding success, leading to important publications and international conferences.
Where can I study?
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Specialist facilities
You’ll have the chance to work in our television studios, multimedia studios, and DVD, video, animation and 16mm editing suites, as well as access to the British Film Institute, the University of Cambridge Library and our own campus library.
You’ll also have access to our Faculty’s PhD room, where all our doctoral students can meet up to work and take an active part in our postgraduate student community.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK students, 2022/23 (per year)
£4,596
UK students, 2022/23 (part-time, per year)
£2,298
International students, 2022/23 (per year)
£14,300
International students, 2022/23 (part-time, per year)
£7,150
Bench fees
In some cases extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.
Some examples of these costs are (the list is not exhaustive): equipment hire, access costs to specialist equipment/workshops, volunteer expenses, specialist tissue/cell culture, specialist reagents or materials, specialist software, access to specialist databases, data collection costs, specialist media, recording or digital storage needs.
We charge bench fees in bands. They may apply for every year of your course. These bands are the same for full- and part-time students.
If you have to pay bench fees this will be made clear at your interview, and stated in your offer letter.
For 2021/22 the bench fee bands are:
- £500
- £1,000
- £2,000
- £4,000
- £8,000
PhD by Published Work
Initial registration: £1,300
Full registration: £4,000
Writing up fees 2021/22
Part time: £1,000
Full time: £1,800
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.
Funding
For advice on the doctoral loan and other sources of funding, including ARU scholarships, visit our finance guide for postgraduate researchers.
You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.
ARU research
ARU's academic excellence was recognised in 2021, as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise which assesses the quality of academic research. Sixteen areas of our work were classed as generating world-leading research. The results showed that we're making a significant impact on the societies we live in.
Careers
We’ll provide you with many opportunities for career development and training, and encourage you to get involved with external activities like film projects, conference organisation and giving papers.
In conjunction with University research support, you can request specific support for writing-up, conference papers, general research methods and other research skills if you need it.
Contact details
If you're interested in finding out more about research study opportunities in this area, please email ahsspgrrec@aru.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelors degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.
PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the programme as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Contact our postgraduate research degree team for more information about studying a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate at ARU.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your research programme. Before starting, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning.
Studying during COVID-19
Due to national restrictions all universities in England, including ARU, are only able to provide face to face access to research resources in limited circumstances where access can be justified under movement restrictions. Visit our restrictions page for details. All assessments and supervision are currently conducted online.
Study options
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic and related Government guidance, your research programme will be framed, wherever possible, to be conducted away from campus and in line with movement restrictions. For some types of research attendance on campus will be essential for some activities, and these activities will need to be undertaken in a COVID-19 safe manner in line with our risk management procedures.
In the event that there are further changes to the current restrictions that are in place within the UK due to the pandemic, we may need all of our researchers to work online only at short notice to remain in line with Government guidelines and ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.
