PhD in Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media (by creative practice)

Unleash your creativity with the production of a substantial piece of creative work.

International fees

	Length	Start dates (semester dates)
PhD	3 years full-time 6 years part-time Apply for PhD	February September
PhD by distance learning	3 years full-time 6 years part-time Apply for PhD by distance learning	February September

Length

Start dates (semester dates)

PhD

3 years full-time
6 years part-time

Apply for PhD

February
September

PhD by distance learning

3 years full-time
6 years part-time

Apply for PhD by distance learning

February
September

This PhD programme in Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media (by creative practice) invites proposals in the fields of Playwriting, Acting for Theatre, Directing for Theatre, Film and Television, Sound Design and Interactive Media.

The PhD programme is aimed at individuals:

already working professionally in theatre, film, television or interactive media who wish to take time to reflect critically on their own and others’ work.
already working professionally in theatre, film, television or interactive media who wish to make a career move into teaching and research in Higher Education.
working in theatre, film, television or interactive media who wish to develop their careers with the production of a substantial and appropriate original work.

Contact us

Your research

The programme has a full-time and a part-time route. The full-time route comprises three years of study, plus one optional ‘continuation’ year for completion. The part-time route comprises six years of study, again with the additional ‘continuation’ year for completion, as necessary.

Under the supervision of one or more staff members with expertise relevant to the project topic, you will produce:

an academic dissertation of between 20,000 and 50,000 words;
a portfolio of creative work;
and either a critical reflection on the relationship between the dissertation and the creative work; or
a professional portfolio.

More information on the creative practice programme components.

As a research student you are also supported by a Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP) which includes an additional academic staff member who is not a supervisor.

The programme has a full-time and a part-time route. The full-time route comprises three years of study, plus one optional additional year for completion. The part-time route comprises six years of study.

We'll help match your research interests to our supervisory expertise. You'll have regular meetings with your supervisor throughout the year.

Research excellence

83.3% of our research across film, theatre, television, and interactive media is rated 4* (REF 2021).

Creative insight

Join a creative community of industry professionals, dedicated academics and talented students.

Fantastic facilities

Gain access to professional theatres and performance spaces, TV studios, audio suites, production and post-production equipment, cinema and interactive media labs.

Funding

Explore Arts and Creative Technologies funding for MPhil/PhD researchers and wider postgraduate support.

Supervision

You will be assigned with a supervisor with expertise relevant to the project topic you will research, and develop a thesis on.

Course location

This course is run by the School of Arts and Creative Technologies.

You will be based in the School of Arts and Creative Technologies on Campus East. Most of our facilities and supervisory staff are housed here.

We offer a distance learning (DL) option for this PhD programme if you cannot live in York full- or part-time. As part of the application process, we will ask for justification for taking the DL option and will then assess the feasibility for this research programme.

Entry requirements

You will have completed an undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above. In addition, you will normally have a Masters degree or at least three years' professional experience in theatre, film, television or interactive media production.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

English language requirements

Applying

Apply for the PhD in Theatre, Film, Television, and Interactive Media by creative practice

Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.

Find out more about how to apply.

Research proposal

You need to submit a proposal which should be around 1500–2000 words long. (It can be useful to develop this proposal in consultation with the staff member who will potentially supervise the work, if this is known.) The proposal should include:

provisional title of research
summary of the topic to be investigated
indications of relevant previous work in the field by others: key theoretical research or creative practice
an overview of your own experience to date, relevant to the proposal
your broad aims and specific questions within this
provisional information about the likely methods to be used: will the work take place primarily through artistic/creative practice research, empirical processes of experimentation and/or theoretical investigation?

You will also normally be required to provide a sample of your written work.

Careers and skills

Your PhD will help to extend your qualifications, allowing you to develop your knowledge and explore these exciting industries through practice-based research. You will be given the opportunity to develop network connections, and to use excellent film, television, interactive media and performance equipment and facilities to build up your creative portfolio and skills. You will become equipped with transferable skills in collaborative working, using critical analysis and creative thinking, presentation, production and performance. Ultimately, your PhD will help to open the door to various creative, technical, analytical, research and managerial roles in your chosen field within this growing industry.

Our dedicated careers team offer specific support including a programme of professional researcher development and careers workshops and 1:1 career support sessions. They will help you to build up your employability portfolio and to engage in activities that will build up your skills and experience within and outside of your research work.