PhD Film in Lancaster United Kingdom | Lancaster University

Your doctoral research at Lancaster can explore diverse subjects in Film Studies or interdisciplinary themes. As a PhD candidate, you'll typically work with two supervisors who provide specialized guidance and support throughout your studies. When needed, your secondary supervisor may come from another discipline within LICA or another Arts and Social Sciences department to best match your research needs.

Our PhD candidates have investigated fascinating topics ranging from global cinema's historical and political dimensions to modern philosophical approaches in film and media studies. Past projects have examined: the evolution of American TV movies, emotional theory in 1980s-90s personal documentaries, celebrity culture and fan-created fiction, audience engagement with franchise films, Taiwanese performing arts post-martial law, media representations of terrorism, symbolic meanings in Indonesian documentaries, and Gothic elements in Guillermo del Toro's films.

Lancaster offers flexible PhD formats in Film Studies - either a traditional written dissertation or a combined theoretical-practical approach. Our faculty includes practicing researchers in film, theater, and visual arts, supported by technical staff and facilities including workshops, editing suites, and specialized equipment.