Program Overview

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Media and Communication PhD

Research overview

We welcome applicants interested in a range of topics across media, journalism, and political communication. Our academic staff are active researchers in these fields, and via our interdisciplinary research centre, the Centre for Media, Politics and Communication Research (CMPCR), we offer co-supervision with other schools and departments, including Politics, English and American and Canadian Studies.

Research specialisms:

• Digital journalism, and the intersections of journalism and social media
• Information, disinformation, and disordered information in media and political communication
• Factchecking journalism, and other interpretive and analytic journalism practices
• Political polarisation and the culture wars in political media and communication
• The impact of digital technologies (including AI) on journalistic and organisational media practices, media policy and regulation
• Digital media technologies and political accountability in Africa
• Political communication and messaging in non-political, cultural settings

We welcome international and cross-comparative research proposals, and offer particular expertise across the CMPCR on a range of countries including the UK, Greece, Turkey, China, Kenya and other African countries.

As a student on this course, you will automatically become a member of the CMPCR, which provides a rich research environment, with research seminars from visiting speakers, an annual high profile public lecture, and connections with local and national journalists and news organisations.

You will also have the opportunity to join the membership board as a postgraduate representative, through which you can have a say in the events we host and fund, and propose and lead on other initiatives to support postgraduate research students.

Your department

• Department of Cultural, Media and Visual Studies
• 90% of our research environment has been evaluated as ‘world leading’ in the Research Excellence Framework 2021
• We offer a strong interdisciplinary and international perspective

Course content

You will complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisor(s). You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.

Current and recent students in the department have worked on a variety of media and communication topics including:

• journalism and news media
• media representation of social issues
• communication practices of social movements
• political uses of social media
• online disinformation and computational propaganda
• social media and identity

Recent examples of media and communication theses supervised within the department:

• From occasion to obsession: the connection between relationships, media literacy and the changing use of computer mediated communication from – Lauren Dempsey
• Fanning the flames: political discourse analysis of anti-austerity social movement intervention in the UK general elections of 2015 and 2017 – Abigail Rhodes
• Cybertrooping and the online manipulation of political communication in Malaysia: The Barisan Nasional years – Niki Cheong
• Producing users online: Facebook, habit, power – Niall Docherty

Recent examples of cross-disciplinary supervisions with other departments:

• Constructing British and European identities in Brexit Britain: a critical linguistic analysis of press, political, and personal discourses – Tamsin Parnell (with English)
• Curating Digital Diasporic Intimacies: Black Feminist Approaches to Visual Cultures Online – Keisha Bruce (with American and Canadian Studies)

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

• Home / UK students:
  • Degree: 2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social science subject. We would usually expect you to hold, or be working towards, a masters degree in a relevant subject.
• EU / International students:
  • Degree: 2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social science subject. We would usually expect you to hold, or be working towards, a masters degree in a relevant subject.
  • International and EU equivalents: We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.
  • IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
  • English language requirements: As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.

Applying

Please identify and contact a potential supervisor from our research staff to check whether we can adequately support your research interests before submitting an application. Alternatively, contact the Departmental Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research and admission tutor, Dr Chrysi Dagoula, who may be able to advise on potential supervisors and funding opportunities.

Joint supervision and collaboration may also be available from other University of Nottingham departments or Midlands4Cities partner universities.

Our researchers and their specialisms.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Fees

• Home / UK: To be confirmed.
• International: To be confirmed.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

Books

You'll be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to buy your own copies of core texts. The Blackwell's bookshop on campus offers a year-round price match against any of the main retailers (i.e. Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smith).

Funding

There are funding opportunities which are only open to students within the Faculty of Arts.

Postgraduate funding for Faculty of Arts students

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Support

Postgraduate Professional Development Programme

We provide opportunities for you to develop knowledge, experience and skills beyond your immediate research topic.

Work-in-progress seminars

Time and space for staff and students to present their own research for critique in a supportive and constructive atmosphere. As well as presenting your own work you'll also learn more about the ongoing process of academic research.

Visiting speakers and symposia

There's an extensive programme organised by both staff and students that give opportunities to hear from, and debate with, academics outside the department.

Expert supervision

The PhD is delivered through research supervision for the duration of the programme. You will have at least two supervisors who regularly read and advise on your work. The supervision process is overseen by the departmental Director of Postgraduate Studies who is responsible for ensuring that appropriate supervision is taking place. This includes a formal process of annual review.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

• studying
• socialising
• computer work
• seminars
• kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services, including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

Digital Transformations Hub

As a researcher you have full access to the Digital Transformations Hub and can use our equipment and software for free.

University Park Campus

University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

The Researcher Academy

The Researcher Academy supports all postgraduates and early career researchers at the University, with dedicated study spaces, training courses and placement opportunities.

The Language Centre

We offer nine languages at a wide range of levels as taught options.

Alternatively, learn at your own pace in our Self-Access Centre.

Careers

Careers advice

Graduate destinations

Career progression

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Our postgraduates go onto work in a range of fields, from university lectureships and post-doctoral fellowships to roles in the media, art councils and the creative industries.

Many of our research students publish high-quality books and articles and have secured teaching positions in universities both in the UK and abroad.

100% of postgraduates from Cultural Media and Visual Studies secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology.

Related courses

• Art History MRes
• Critical Theory and Cultural Studies PhD/MPhil
• Critical Theory MRes
• Film and Television Studies PhD
• Film and Television Studies MRes
• Art History PhD

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• We are proud to be in the top 10 UK universities for research into English, while our ranking of 9th by 'research power' reflects our research excellence
• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4) or 'internationally excellent' (3)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.