Program Overview

Overview

The Film Practice PhD at Newcastle University provides a unique opportunity for students to develop their film as a practice-led research project. The program is led by award-winning documentary filmmaker Dr. Ian McDonald and is grounded in an understanding of documentary film as a cinematic medium, and filmmaking as a mode of expression, critique, and social and historical intervention.

Research Areas

The program offers practice-led PhDs in Documentary Film Practice in the following areas:

• Most areas of documentary
  on-fiction film practice
• Creative documentary practices in the UK, India, South Asia, Africa
• Sports documentaries
• Feminist film practice
• Social linguistics, translation, and documentary practice

Supervisors

The program has a team of experienced supervisors, including:

• Dr. Ian McDonald, a sociologist and multi-award-winning documentary filmmaker
• Dr. Geetha Jayaraman, an internationally renowned writer, filmmaker, and producer
• Dr. Alastair Cole, a documentary filmmaker with interests in anthropology, language, and politics
• Dr. Evripidis Karydis, an active documentary filmmaker with interests in political activism

Facilities

As a PhD student in Film@CultureLab, students will be based in Culture Lab, a centre for film practice situated in a Grade II listed building. Students will have access to modern industry-standard shooting kits and edit suites, supported by a team of dedicated film technicians.

Fees and Funding

The tuition fees for the program are:

• Home students: Not set
• International students: £24,400 per year The program also offers a range of scholarships, including the Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

The entrance requirements for the program are:

• A 2:1 honours degree and preferably a merit master's degree, or an international equivalent, in a related subject
• English language requirements: IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo English Test, or TOEFL
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be available for relevant university-level knowledge, skills, and experience

How to Apply

To apply for the program, students must submit a research proposal that links to the work of a supervisor or research group in the School. The application portal has instructions to guide students through the application process, and students can choose to start their application, save their details, and come back to complete it later.

Open Days and Events

The university regularly hosts open days and events, both in person and virtually, to provide students with the opportunity to learn more about the program and meet with academic staff.

Quality and Ranking

Newcastle University is a leading centre for the growth of Film Practice PhDs in the UK, with 42% of its research classified as 4* world-leading research. The university is ranked in the top 140 globally and top 25 in the UK for sustainable development.