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Film Studies

Film Studies

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Course Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Film, Television and Digital Media
The Huston School of Film & Digital Media encourages PhD degree applications, its involvement is in collaboration with other disciplines within Arts; students undertaking doctoral studies in film will be supervised by a small team led by the Huston School but also involving an existing discipline of the university (e.g., English, French, History, Information Technology, Sociology and Politics for example) depending on the topic of their research. 

The aim of this four-year, full-time (six-year, part-time) research programme is the generation of a contribution to knowledge and understanding in Film, Television and Digital Media by means of academic research. During the programme, students receive training in research methods and complete a thesis based on a key research question. The length of the thesis is normally 60,000 to 80,000 words. The duration of research is usually four years.

Doctor of Philosophy in Film, Television and Digital Media (practice-based PhD)
The aim of this four-year, full-time research programme is the generation of a contribution to knowledge and understanding in Film, Television and Digital Media by means of enquiry conducted through practice-based research methods. During the programme, students receive training in research methods and complete a research project based on a key research question. Students are also expected to:

  • Pursue a defined key research question through practice-based research
  • Investigate cognate practice-based research undertaken by others internationally
  • Explore the theoretical and historical dimensions of the enquiry through scholarship
  • Collaborate with others, as appropriate, to extend the range of the enquiry
  • Produce a body of work that embodies new knowledge in answer to the key research question
  • Write a brief summary of the contribution to knowledge and understanding together with a reflective analysis of the theoretical and historical context of the research and a critical review of the process of the research

Programmes Available

Doctor of Philosophy in Film, Television and Digital Media (full-time and part-time)        
Doctor of Philosophy in Film, Television and Digital Media (practice-based PhD) (full-time and part-time)

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

Associated

Learning Outcomes

Entry Requirements

To be eligible to enter on a course of study and research for the Degree of PhD., a candidate must have reached a high Honours Standard (or equivalent international qualification), at the Examination for the Primary Degree, or presented such other evidence as will satisfy the Director of the Huston School, the Head of School of Humanities and the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies of his/her fitness.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects

  • Motherhood in Horror Cinema
  • Static to Motion Pictures: A Study of the Adaptation of Comics to Film
  • Commedia all'Italiana: How Popular Comedy Changed Italian Intellectual Cinema

Current funded research opportunity

Work Placement

Related Student Organisations

Career Opportunities

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Research Areas

  • Irish film (all aspects) 
  • Irish language and film 
  • Cultural identity and the media 
  • Adaptation and intertextuality 
  • American cinema 
  • Irish American cinema 
  • Representing Sport 
  • Godard 
  • Film and Form 
  • Silent Film 
  • Low-budget and independent cinema 
  • European cinema 
  • Queer Cinema
  • Migrant cinema
  • Cinema and Space 

Researcher Profiles

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,750 p.a. (€5,890 including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€14,500 p.a. (€14,640 including levy) 2024/25

Extra Information


EU Part time: Year 1 €4,250 p.a. (€4,390 including levy) 2024/25

All students, irrespective of funding, must pay the student levy of €140.

Contact Us

Dee Quinn 
T +353 91 495 076 
E dee.quinn@nuigalway.ie 
www.nuigalway.ie/filmschool/phdresearch/ 

What Our Students Say

Dr Cormac

Dr Cormac McGarry |   2020 Huston PhD Graduate

The structured PhD programme at the Huston School of Film and Digital Media is an excellent environment in which to pursue doctoral research. Having initially come through the undergraduate BA Connect with Film Studies course at the Huston School, I feel uniquely placed to recommend it as a highly productive learning environment that is deeply immersed in film and digital cultures. My undergraduate experience at the Huston gave me the knowledge base, supports, and, frankly, the enthusiasm to pursue doctoral research there. The staff are both incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. With their guidance I was able to secure crucial funding for my research project, develop my teaching skills, and be confident of making a substantial contribution to my field of study. Their wide range of expertise and genuine interest in my research ensured that I was never short of what I needed or someone to work through a problem with. For anyone considering doctoral research in film or digital media, I could not recommend the Huston School more highly.
Sarah

Sarah Arnold |   Motherhood in Horror Cinema

As well as providing unending support for my research through supervision, mentoring and advice, those at the School have greatly helped in developing my career and professional experience. I think of myself as very fortunate to have been part of the School and couldn't recommend it enough.

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