Program Overview

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Introduction to the Comedy Studies PhD Program

The Comedy Studies PhD program at Brunel University is an interdisciplinary research area that considers the production, content, reception, and wider socio-political implications of comedy in various formats and from different perspectives. This program brings together leading academics and writers in fields such as media and communications, sociology, psychology, theatre, drama, film, television, computing, English, creative writing, and social work.

Research Profile

The research in this area examines the production, content, reception, and wider socio-political implications of comedy in its variety of formats, from television sketch shows to comedy thrillers. All research and teaching are strongly underpinned by the belief that comedy is socially, culturally, politically, and economically significant at local, national, and international levels. The work clusters around several overlapping themes, including:

• Mediated and Live Comedy
• Comedy and Identity
• Comedy, Taboo, and Offence
• Comedy, Power, and Ideology
• Comic Novels

Research Groups and Supervision

The university has strong links with the comedy industry and is supported by five ambassadors:

• Jo Brand – Comedian, writer, actress, and Brunel Honorary Graduate
• Nitin Ganatra – Actor (e.g., Eastenders and Mumbai Calling)
• Lee Mack – Comedian, writer, actor, and Brunel Honorary Graduate
• Simon Minty – Co-founder and Producer of Abnormally Funny People
• Geoff Rowe – Director & Founder of Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival

Students are welcome to approach potential supervisors directly to discuss their research interests. The Supervisory Team creates knowledge, advances understanding, and equips versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learned for the benefit of society.

PhD Topics

While the university welcomes applications from students with a clear direction for their research, they also provide some ideas for research topics, such as:

• Design fictions, supervised by Joseph Giacomin
• Design for meaning, supervised by Joseph Giacomin

Research Journey

This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in January, April, or October. The research degree progress structure outlines what progress might look like at each stage of study.

Research Support

Excellent research support and training are provided through the Graduate School, which offers a range of personal, professional, and career development opportunities, including workshops, online training, coaching, and events. The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in areas like progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development.

Library Services

Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs.

Careers and Your Future

Students will receive tailored careers support during their PhD and for up to three years after completing their research at Brunel. The university encourages students to actively engage in career planning and managing their personal development right from the start of their research.

Entry Requirements

The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1). An interview will be required as part of the admissions process. Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement.

English Language Requirements

For international students, English language requirements include:

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)

Fees and Funding

Fees for the 2025/6 entry are:

• International: £22,320 full-time, £11,160 part-time
• UK: £5,006 full-time, £2,500 part-time

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students, including the Doctoral Student Loans of up to £25,000 for UK and EU students, and some funding available through the Research Councils. Many international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Available scholarships and bursaries include the Brunel Graduate Discount, Doctoral Researcher/PhD Studentships, and Doctoral Researcher Funding Opportunities.

Location of Study

The program is located at Brunel University, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH.