DfE Fully Funded PhD Studentships - Media and Broadcast
School of Arts, English and Languages
- Location
- Belfast, United Kingdom
- Funding
- Fully Funded; Maintenance Stipend; Full Tuition Fees
- Application deadline
- See university guidance
About the project
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- Postgraduate Research 2026
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DfE Fully Funded PhD Studentships - Media and Broadcast
- DfE Fully Funded PhD Studentships - Media and Broadcast: School of Arts, English and Languages | PHD Applications are now CLOSED
- Project details
- Subject information
- Course content
- Entry Requirements
- Fees and Funding
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Overview
The School of Arts English and Languages invites applications for fully-funded PhD studentships in 8 thematic areas, each generously funded by the Department for the Economy.
Full details of individual projects and codes can be viewed at https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Study/FundingScholarships/#dfe-department-for-the-economy-2026-entry-4916658-1
Funding Information
These studentships provide full tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for a maximum duration of three years, subject to eligibility.
Professor Aoife McGrath
More Information
aoife.mcgrath@qub.ac.uk
Research Profile
Full-time: 3 years
Media and Broadcast overview
The doctoral programme in media and broadcast offers opportunities for both critical and creative practice. Doctoral candidates can focus on ‘traditional’ historical, critical and theoretical studies resulting in an extensive written thesis or concentrate on practice-led research. The media and broadcast programme presents an ideal opportunity for interdisciplinary research, connecting with areas both within and beyond the School of Arts, English and Languages. There are two programme routes: PhD in Media and Broadcast (Creative Practice) The PhD (Creative Practice) results in a body of supervised creative work supported by a written critical component that places the creative output within the broader field of media and broadcast cultures and engages with appropriate critical approaches to this material. Particular areas of supervision expertise include documentary production and digital media. PhD in Media and Broadcast (Critical Practice) Doctoral candidates undertaking the PhD (Critical Practice) will develop advanced, original research relating to their chosen subject. Particular areas of supervision include the history of broadcast media and fantastic genres, media and misinformation, gender and media, media, religion and culture, memory and nostalgia studies, political communication, climate change communication and media effects.
Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in relation to the wide range of research activities undertaken within the School and the wider University.
- Doctoral candidates can make use of facilities including University's Thomas J. Moran Graduate School, the McClay Library, and for creative practice, the new broadcast-quality production facilities.
- PhD students in Media & Broadcast Creative Practice may avail of the media production facilities at the Sonic Arts Research Centre including the Television Studio, multiple surround sound audio studios, post-production editing suite and computer lab. https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/sarc/facilities/
- There are many resources available including; Access to the Queen's University Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme Office Accommodation Access to computing facilities and support to attend conferences for full-time PhD students
Course content
Introduction Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability.
Employment after the Course For further information on career development opportunities at PhD level please contact the Careers, Employability and Skills team on acareers@qub.ac.uk / +44 (0) 28 9024 5133. https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/
Dr Derek Johnston Senior Lecturer SAEL Research focuses on non-naturalistic and historical genres across media; media and time; media history; nostalgia. Member of the Centre for Public History, Queen’s University Belfast and the International Gothic Association.
Dr Elena Caoduro Senior Lecturer SAEL Research focuses on mediated memory and nostalgia, representations of terrorism in film and TV, and the relationship between gender and popular culture.
Dr Gizem Melek Senior Lecturer SAEL Research focuses on political communication, climate change communication and media effects.
Dr Jasbeer Musthafa Mamalipurath Lecturer SAEL Research focuses on media and the Global South, disinformation, media religion and culture
Dr John D’Arcy Lecturer SAEL Research focuses on practical research / creative projects in areas of sound art, performance, digital media, digital art, voice, immersive media and interdisciplinary practice.
Mr Frank Delaney Reader SAEL Research focuses on the practice of documentary production, radio and podcasting.
Ms Gabriella Matthews Senior Lecturer SAEL Research focuses on the practice of digital media, documentary production, immersive media, journalism, radio and podcasting.
Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually. This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year. The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis, and any creative component, before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.
Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.
Entrance requirements
Graduate A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in an Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences subject.
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country .
Evidence of an IELTS score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs .
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Tuition Fees
Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC
EU Other 3 | £23,600
International | £23,600
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees .
Media and Broadcast costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
Additional course costs
Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.
Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.
How do I fund my study?
Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.
We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.
The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.
Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students .
The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply .
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here .
You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.
Download Postgraduate Prospectus