American and Canadian Studies Audio-Visual PhD

The Department of American and Canadian Studies offers promising candidates the opportunity to carry out research in one of the most dynamic institutions in Britain. We give all possible support to our researchers, developing the resources available at the University and encouraging an active postgraduate environment for the exchange of information and concepts.

Course fact file

Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

Start date: September 2013

Details

This particular programme gives you the opportunity to film and edit an hour-long documentary on your research, accompanied by a 30,000 word written defence. You will work with supervisors and technicians to develop this practice-based project, using our editing suite and equipment. The Audio-visual PhD enables you to make an original contribution to the discipline of history, film and television preparing you for careers in media and/or academia.

Fees and funding

We charge an annual fee. Fees for 2013/14 are currently as follows:

  • Home / EU: full-time - £3,900; part-time - £1,950
  • Overseas: full-time - £12,140

Learn more about fees and funding.

Scholarships and studentships

Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available.
For further information, visit the College of Arts and Law scholarships page or email financialsupport@bham.ac.uk

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

 

Entry requirements

Learn more about entry requirements

International students

Academic requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

Research interests of staff

  • Film aesthetics; television studies; Hollywood cinema; authorship; fantasy and fictional worlds; performance; production communities; children's media.
    Contact: Dr James Walters
    Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 8333
    Email:
    j.r.walters@bham.ac.uk
  • 20th-century US diplomatic and political history; history and the media; propaganda; US intelligence services; Anglo-American and US-European relations.
    Contact: Professor Scott Lucas
    Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5763
    Email:
    w.s.lucas@bham.ac.uk

Employability

The University of Birmingham has been ranked 9th in the UK and 55th in the world, for post-qualification employability in a global survey of universities commissioned by the International Herald Tribune.

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for employment and this will be further enhanced by the employability skills training offered through the College of Arts and Law Graduate School.

Our American and Canadian Studies doctoral researchers have gone on to forge successful careers in a variety of industries, including the media. Michael Burns graduated with a PhD from the University, is now working as a freelance filmmaker, and has created five documentaries:

“The University of Birmingham gave me a strong moral compass and the confidence to create projects, in my case films, geared toward social change. Many academic institutions can give you a degree, but what Birmingham gave me was a world-class academic experience that allowed me to research and teach amongst students, faculty, and staff who care about learning. .”