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Department of Film Studies
Faculty of Arts & Humanities

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PhD Research

PhD Film Studies

This research degree involves in-depth and extended study of a specialised topic, within the broad range of film and media studies, which is identified and developed by the student in consultation with their research supervisor(s), all of whom have world-leading expertise.

Research students in our department investigate a wide range of specialised topics, especially in the areas of European, American and East Asian cinema and media; social, cultural, political and technological analyses of moving images; and film and media theory and film-philosophy.

In the UK's most recent national audit of research, the Research Excellence Framework 2014, 87% of our research was given the highest rankings of 4* or 3* and we were also rated highly for the public and societal impact of our research.

We have a close relationship with the British Film Institute and its renowned Reuben Library, based in the Southbank Centre, ten minutes walk from our central London campus on the Strand. Many other world-leading research libraries and archives are located nearby.

Alongside their research, we offer our students formal teaching opportunities on our undergraduate degrees, providing valuable professional experience. All our students also pursue individually-tailored programmes of skills training and frequently work at film festivals and other media-related or educational events across London. Our fortnightly Film Studies Research Seminars bring leading experts to King's from outside and are both intellectually challenging and socially engaging.

Our PhD students make up a vibrant, energetic, and friendly community, full of innovative ideas, and one of the largest of its kind at any university in the UK. 

Duration Expected to be PhD (initial registration for MPhil), three years FT, four-six years PT. October to October, February to February or June to June.

Study a PhD in Film Studies at King's College London or a joint PhD with the University of Hong Kong or National University of Singapore

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Research impact

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Expertise

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