Program Overview

Overview

The Digital Media PhD is part of the Fine Art programme of study. We offer PhD supervision in two main areas of digital media.

Research Areas

• Digital arts practice is led by Dr Tom Schofield. It includes topics such as:
  • emerging technologies and experimental practice
  • live electronic performance
  • interactivity and human-computer interaction in arts practice
  • critical AI
  • post-digital practice and theory
  • data visualisation and creative practice
  • contemporary art and media theory
  • open source culture and creativity
  • crowdsourcing and creativity
• Digital media in museum, gallery and heritage settings is led by Dr Areti Galani. It includes topics such as:
  • online museum, gallery and heritage experiences
  • social software and its implications for the cultural sector
  • design and use of mobile, personal and ubiquitous technologies in cultural settings
  • study and understanding of social museum experiences
  • theory and practice of visitor studies
  • ethnographic and ethnomethodological approaches in the study of museum experiences

How You'll Learn

Assessment methods:

• Thesis
• Viva Additional assessment information:
• We offer a wide range of projects for the master's thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.

Your Development

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) researcher development programme

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

• perform better as a researcher
• boost your career prospects
• broaden your impact Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence. You’ll cover:
• techniques for effective research
• methods for better collaborative working
• essential professional standards and requirements

Your Future

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University - QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 150 for Communication and Media Studies - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

Facilities

You have access to top quality facilities at the University's Culture Lab. Culture Lab’s facilities include a stock of film cameras and editing suites, as well as motion-capture, animation and sound-mixing technology.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

• Qualification: PhD Full time
  • Home students: Full time: 36 months | Tuition fees (per year) Not set
  • International students: Full time: 36 months | Tuition fees (per year) £24,400
• Qualification: PhD Part time
  • Home students: Part time: 72 months | Tuition fees (per year) Not set

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

Academic entry requirements

• A 2:1 honours degree and preferably a merit master's degree, or international equivalent.

English Language requirements

• Select your qualification: IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, Other

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

How to Apply

Before you start

• Start Dates: There are usually two possible start dates, although in some circumstances an alternative start date can be arranged: January, September
• Closing Dates: There is no application closing date for this course, but specific deadlines for funding may apply.

Programme codes

• Qualification: PhD Full time | Programme Code: 8834F
• Qualification: PhD Part time | Programme Code: 8836P

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.