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Qualification type
PhD

Film Studies

Funding
Self-funded
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
2-4 years
4-6 years
Apply by
Year round
Start date
Year round
Subject area
Languages and Cultures

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Overview

Research in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film is characterised by an interest in the global dimensions of language-based study. When you undertake our Film Studies PhD, you’ll benefit from expertise in a wide range of disciplines, ensuring you receive the support you need to become a well-rounded researcher.

Introduction

Our research strengths include:

  • Hispanic, Lusophone and Francophone cultures and societies outside of Europe
  • Migrant and transnational cultures in Europe
  • Multilingualism
  • Sociolinguistics
  • World cinema
  • The cultural impacts of European expansion and colonialism
  • Global Black Studies
  • The processes of translation and transculturation implicit in all those encounters.

We also have expertise in histories and memories, specifically in themes relating to representations of war and conflict in different international contexts. Our staff are developing engagement with digital transformations, employing new technologies in the presentation of their research on periods from the Middle Ages to the contemporary world.

Research topics

Our Film Studies PhD covers a broad range of potential topics for investigation. We welcome research proposals in topics including:

  • Post New Wave French cinema
  • Political cinema in France post-1968
  • The interaction of film and theatre
  • The multilingual dimension of European cinema
  • Contemporary and post-war German literature and film
  • Italian crime film
  • Brazilian cinema
  • Latin American women filmmakers
  • Movement in Latin American cinema
  • Cinematic realism
  • Feminism in Spanish cinema and television
  • Contemporary world cinema
  • Slow cinema.

Research culture

Our research groups provide a forum for the exchange of new concepts and knowledge produced by staff and postgraduate researchers. This gives you the opportunity to present your research, develop your research profile, and interact with other leading figures in your field of study.

Research groups include:

The city of Liverpool also has a thriving film culture, with opportunities to liaise with local arts organisations such as Tate Liverpool and the city’s arts cinemas.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Identify potential supervisors

    Potential supervisors for this PhD include:

    For any questions about finding a supervisor, please contact Postgraduate Research Enquiries: hlc-pgr@liverpool.ac.uk.

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

    • A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
    • University transcripts and degree certificates to date
    • Passport details (international applicants only)
    • English language certificates (international applicants only)
    • A personal statement
    • A curriculum vitae (CV)
    • Contact details for two proposed supervisors
    • Names and contact details of two referees.
  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

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My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Part-time place, per year - £2,503

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £24,600
Part-time place, per year - £12,300

Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.


Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree.


Funding your PhD

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.


Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.

Duncan Norman Research Scholarship

If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

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Facilities and resources

Our postgraduate researchers benefit from excellent facilities within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This includes designated shared office space and access to a vast repository of sociolinguistic journals through the Sydney Jones Library.

Virtual tour

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Meet our PhD researchers

These are the trailblazers, the leaders, the true originals. Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.

Four postgraduate students walking on campus.

Chat with our students

Want to find out more about studying a PhD with us? Chat with our postgraduate research student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.

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Entry requirements

Discover the qualifications you'll need to apply for this course.

You’ll typically need a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree, and a UK master’s degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to your proposed field of research.


English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

Qualification Details
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
TOEFL iBT 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Pearson PTE Academic 61 overall, with no component below 59

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Pre-sessional English in detail

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score Pre-sessional English course length On campus or online
6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 6 weeks On campus
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 10 weeks On campus and online options available
6.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 12 weeks On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 20 weeks On campus
5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 30 weeks On campus
4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 40 weeks On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.

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Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

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