Overview
Join us for an MPhil or PhD in Media and Cultural Studies. You’ll become part of the media and cultural studies team and contribute to a vibrant learning community.
We’re a leading research unit at Newcastle University with a strong PhD culture. Our research environment supports world-leading, internationally excellent scholarship. Our approach is distinct and interdisciplinary, focusing across theoretical and applied areas. This provides quality assured supervision.
During your studies you’ll have the opportunity to:
- present papers at conferences
- write articles for academic journals
- contribute articles to edited collections alongside other publications
Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to enrol on a nationally recognised Teaching in Higher Education qualification, allowing you to host undergraduate and postgraduate seminars.
READ LESS
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MPhil – Master of Philosophy
An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 – 50,000 word thesis.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
How you’ll learn
Delivery and teaching methods
Attendance is flexible and agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of the research project.
Assessment methods
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
Additional assessment information
We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.
Postgraduate research student support
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
Our staff
PhD Supervision
- Celebrity: Dr Gareth Longstaff, Dr Bethany Usher
- Critical Studies of the Environment:Â Dr Tina Sikka
- Cultural Politics of Food:Â Dr Tina Sikka
- Democracy and Political Communication: Dr Joss Hands, Dr Darren Kelsey, Dr Majid Khosravinik, Dr Tina Sikka, Dr Florian Zollman
- Digital Media Studies and Activism: Dr James Ash, Dr Karren Ross, Dr Deborah Chambers, Dr Darren Kelsey, Dr Joss Hands, Dr Majid Khosravinik
- Film Practice: Dr Geetha Jayaraman, Dr Ian McDonald, Dr Alastair Cole, Dr Raisa Sidenova
- Gender, Identity and Media: Dr Deborah Chambers, Dr Karen Ross, Dr Chris Haywood, Dr Gareth Longstaff, Dr Tina Sikka
- Gender, Health, and Science:Â Dr Tina Sikka
- Journalism: Dr David Baines, Dr Murray Dick, Dr Darren Kelsey, Dr Florian Zollman, Dr Karen Ross, Dr Bethany Usher
- Masculinity/Masculinities: Dr Clifton Evers, Dr Chris Haywood, Dr Gareth Longstaff
- Media and Myth:Â Dr Darren Kelsey
- Mobilities and Media: Dr James Ash, Dr Deborah Chambers
- Museums, Culture, and Heritage: Dr Areti Galani, Dr Rhiannon Mason, Dr Aron Mazel, Dr Andrew Newman, Dr Peter Stone, Dr Chris Whitehead
- Pornography and Representation: Dr Gareth Longstaff, Dr Chris Haywood
- Public Relations: Dr Jonathan Ward, Dr Ramona Slusarczyk
- Queer Studies: Dr Clifton Evers, Dr Chris Haywood, Dr Gareth Longstaff
- Race and Ethnicity: Dr Tina Sikka, Dr Majid Khosravinik
- Social and Cultural Dimensions of Pollution:Â Dr Clifton Evers
- Sport and Leisure: Dr Clifton Evers, Dr Darren Kelsey
Your development
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) researcher development programmeÂ
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.
You’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
Your researcher development programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
Find out more about the Researcher Education and Development programme
Doctoral training and partnerships
There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:
- Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
- Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:
- they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
- you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
- they’re often interdisciplinary
- your PhD may be funded
If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.
The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:
- ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 200 for Communication and Media Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Facilities
As a postgraduate research student in media and cultural studies you’ll benefit from dedicated research suites within the School of Arts and Cultures
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree or higher (or international equivalent), in a related subject (see examples below). PhD applicants also require a Master’s degree at Merit standard or higher (or international equivalent).
- Cultural studies
- Communication studies
- Media studies Sociology
- Gender studies
- Related humanities and social sciences subjects
We may ask you to attend an interview either in person, via telephone or Skype.