Key information
Duration
- Full-time: 48 months
- Part-time: 72 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting September 2026 – Apply anytime.
- Starting February 2027 – Apply anytime.
Language
English
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
London, United Kingdom
Disciplines
Film Studies
Overview
The Film Studies course from University of West London can offer expert supervision by established researchers and hosts a growing community of outstanding doctoral researchers in the field of Film Studies and related areas. We can support either a thesis or thesis and practice-based PhD in Film Studies.
We are currently seeking applications for PhDs in the following broad areas:
- adaptation studies
- genre studies
- film theory
- film and philosophy
- screen studies
- film in gallery and museum contexts
- television
- film and photography
- thinking the image.
Career opportunities:
Studying for a PhD in Film Studies enables you to develop an area of specialism that will give you an edge, whether you are planning to work in industry or to develop expertise to teach in academia.
During your PhD, you will also be learning transferable core skills that apply to jobs both in and out of academia, including:
- written and oral communication
- research and information management
- public speaking
- project management
- leadership
- critical thinking
- collaboration
- analysis and problem-solving
- conflict resolution
- negotiation.
By the end of your research degree, you will be able to articulately apply these skills to enhance your career path.
Job roles
- broadcast engineer
- broadcast journalist
- content producer
- researcher
- digital editor
- production executive
- photographer/videographer
- casting co-ordinator
- cinematographer
- director
- writer.
Graduate employers
- broadcasters
- film and TV streaming providers
- production companies
- market research companies
- PR and marketing organisations.
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Adaptation and popular British genre fiction
- The intermediality of art cinema
- Modern European cinema, landscape and environmental awareness
- Practice, theory and philosophy in film, photographic and screen arts
- Rethinking the image
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- TOEFL iBT: 86
- PTE Academic: 58
- IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
General requirements
The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:
- a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
- a Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.
- Competence in written and spoken English is a pre-requisite for entrance to this programme. An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 (with no element under 6.0).
Make sure you meet all requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International (Non-residents): 30,263 AUD / year (≈ 16,000 GBP / year)
- Domestic (Citizens or residents): 9,268 AUD / year (≈ 4,900 GBP / year)
Additional Details
Part-time:
- National - £2,450 (September)
- International - £8,000 (September)
Living costs
London, United Kingdom: 2,151-4,080 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Scholarships Information
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Film Studies.
Available Scholarships:
- The AMO Scholarship - Provided by University of West London - Grant: 5000 GBP - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program - Provided by U.S. government - Grant: Various benefits - Deadline: 07 Oct 2026
- ServiceScape Scholarship - Provided by ServiceScape - Grant: 1000 USD - Deadline: 30 Nov 2026
- ACES Scholarships - Provided by ACES Education Fund - Grant: 3500 USD - Deadline: 15 Nov 2026
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility - Provided by OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation - Grant: Various benefits - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based
- Scholarships for PhD Students - Provided by Junhua Li - Grant: 19000 GBP - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship - Provided by Boustany Foundation - Grant: Various benefits - Deadline: 28 Feb 2027 - Merit-based
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship - Provided by IvyPanda - Grant: 1000 USD - Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 - Merit-based
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship - Provided by Voice Talent Online - Grant: 1000 USD - Deadline: 01 Mar 2027
- The PhD Prep Fellowship - Provided by Admit Lab - Grant: 10000 USD - Deadline: 01 Sep 2026 - Merit-based
- Dream Chaser Scholarship - Provided by Salvado Law - Grant: 1000 USD - Deadline: 13 Jan 2027 - Merit-based
- Scholarship for students with disabilities - Provided by Anonymous Hope Fund - Grant: 3000 USD - Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 - Need-based
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids - Provided by UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - Grant: 22500 GBP - Deadline: Not specified
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship - Provided by IELTS from 6 to 9 - Grant: 1500 USD - Deadline: Not specified
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme - Provided by The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme - Grant: 12000 USD - Deadline: 11 Jan 2027