phd studentships journalism

Doctoral Program

Our doctoral program is among the best programs in journalism and media in the U.S.  Led by faculty with distinguished research and publication records – many with professional journalism or media experience – our program is designed to equip students with a strong theoretical grounding and versatile research methods.  Graduates of our four-year program can go on to positions in the academy, and they also may join think tanks, advocacy and non-governmental organizations and professional associations working with information and media systems.   

We offer a far-reaching array of electives and research opportunities. The faculties’ fields of interest broadly include news and media engagement; online incivility; digital media; mis and disinformation; the digital divide and information equity; media law and policy, including the impact of Artificial Intelligence and algorithms on media; journalism and democracy; global media systems; media and representation; visual communication studies; critical data studies; social media and platform studies; media economics, among other topics.  Please look at  faculty bios  and description of research opportunities  to learn more about current projects.   

Our program incorporates many opportunities to undertake research independently or to work with groups associated with research centers, institutes or research groups. We have an excellent record of participation with the major professional associations including the Association for Education in Journalism and Media Communication ( AEJ MC ), the International Communication Association ( ICA ),  the International Association of Media and Communication Research ( IAMCR ), the Association of Internet Research ( AoIR ), as well as smaller highly focused forums such as The Research Conference on Communications, Information and Internet Policy. 

Interdisciplinary Work

Our students also participate with the many interdisciplinary  Portfolio Programs  on campus.  Moody College is home to three such programs, including the  Communication, Information and Cultural Policy  program focused on media systems, directed by some of our faculty.  Additionally, summer internships with professional or research programs are sometimes sponsored by associated research institutes.  Students have taken advantage of UT’s  Archer Program , and the multi-University COMPASS program associated with the Technology and Information Policy Institute.   

Program of Work 2023-2024

Doctoral Handbook 2023-2024

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Journalism and Mass Communication, PhD

• Program description
• At a glance
• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Application deadlines
• Global opportunities
• Career opportunities
• Contact information

Audience Research, Broadcasting, Criticism, Cultural Studies, Journalist, Professor, Qualitative, Quantitative Reasoning, Research, Strategic Media, Technology, Television, cronkite, digital, law

If you are interested in a deeper examination of the role and influence of media and media technologies in today's increasingly complex world, this program can help you become a thought leader or educator in the fields of journalism, strategic communication and global mass communication.

The PhD program in journalism and mass communication at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is a highly individualized program that attracts seasoned media professionals transitioning to academia, as well as recent graduates of master's degree-level programs in journalism and communication, social and behavioral sciences, or the humanities.

Students have access to the resources, training and mentorship they need to answer critical questions that challenge the fields of journalism, digital and social media, strategic communication and audience studies, and global mass communication.

The program is designed around core values of inclusion, collaboration and mentoring, transdisciplinarity and original research.

Students are able to develop individual programs of study, taking coursework and drawing on knowledge and methodologies from diverse fields that have a bearing on questions within mass communication. Examples include political science, film, computer and data sciences, sociology, anthropology and more.

Within the Cronkite School, students work closely with faculty mentors and fellow students on collaborative projects, develop their own research programs, and benefit from the advice and examples of senior scholars for personalized guidance.

The ultimate goal of the program is to train scholars capable of identifying key questions, designing appropriate studies to investigate those questions, and conducting independent and impactful research. Students are exposed to a wide range of theories and methods so they can forge their own scholarly identity based on interests and aptitudes.

The Cronkite School is committed to creating an environment in which everyone feels they are represented, their experience is equitable, they are fully accepted for who they are and they are valued. The school strives daily to be a welcoming place for all members of the community, where the importance and contribution of each individual is valued and respected.

• College/school: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
• Location: Downtown Phoenix
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (18 credit hours)

Electives (18 credit hours)

Other Requirements (24 credit hours) previous master's degree or additional hours approved by the supervisory committee (24)

Research (12 credit hours)

Dissertation (12 credit hours)

Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for an approved course list.

Students entering the program with a master's degree in journalism or mass communication or a related field must complete 60 credit hours of coursework. Students who are admitted to the program without a master's degree are required to complete an additional 24 credit hours of coursework.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• three letters of recommendation
• personal statement of interest
• statement of research goals
• samples of scholarly work (optional)
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. TOEFL scores must be at least 100 on the internet-based test; a Duolingo score must be at least 120.

The personal statement of interest should be approximately 1,000--1,500 words and explain why the student wants to pursue a doctorate in mass communication as well as why the Cronkite School program fits their career and personal aims.

The statement of research goals should indicate at least two Cronkite research faculty members with whom the student would like to work, supported by relevant citations of the faculty members' scholarly publications.

Students should see the program website for application deadlines and admission terms. Applicants must meet all deadlines and application requirements to be considered.

The Cronkite School's doctoral committee reviews complete applications. Recommendations for admission are made to Graduate Admission Services, where the final admission decisions are made.

The Cronkite doctorate program is multicultural, with students and alumni hailing from all over the world and bringing their experiences into seminar discussions and research. There are also opportunities to work on international grant-funded research projects led by Cronkite faculty to broaden students' perspective on issues within the discipline. More information on available programs can be found on the Global Education Office website .

Graduates with a doctorate in journalism and mass communication are prepared for any of a number of career opportunities.

Professionals with expertise in mass media and communications are in high demand as universities and institutions train the next generation of media professionals. Career examples include:

• industry researcher or trainer
• media analyst
• media consultant
• university professor

Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm | CRONK 302 [email protected] 602-496-5555 Admission deadlines

Ph.D. Program

Want to become a journalism professor merrill is the program for you.

Ph.D. students at Merrill engage in cutting-edge scholarship with renowned faculty to research the many dimensions of journalism (data journalism, political communication, social media, gender and media history, to name a few). Merrill doctoral students also tap a network of colleagues across the campus of the University of Maryland including those from information studies, communication, political science, history, sociology, psychology and public policy.

Merrill Ph.D. students are very successful in their careers, with many going on to tenure-track positions in academia when they graduate. 

Merrill students should plan on completing their Ph.D. within four years. Our graduates now work in academia, the media or government agencies.

The Ph.D. in Journalism Studies program has three phases:

At least  36  credit hours are required, including:

• JOUR775 —  Quantitative Methods
• JOUR776 —  Qualitative Methods.
• A third methods course in or outside the College
• JOUR601 –  Theories of Journalism (or equivalent if taken for a master’s or other program)
• JOUR610 –  Seminar in Mass Media History
• JOUR800 –  Introduction to Doctoral Study
• JOUR801 –  Advanced Public Communication Theory

This includes journalism elective courses (numbered 600 or above) offered by College. Elective credit can include an independent study in or outside the College with approval by the Director of Ph.D. Studies.

• Cognate courses numbered 600 or above are taken from another department on campus or a combination of departments that relate to your research interest. If you prefer to take cognate courses from different departments you must justify in writing the relationship of those courses to your research.
• Courses numbered 400 require the permission of the Ph.D. director.

By the time you complete your courses, you should have selected an advisor plus a committee of at least three additional faculty members to complete your written and oral comprehensive exams.

After successfully completing your written comprehensive exams, you will prepare a formal proposal for unique research with guidance from your advisor. You formally present your written proposal to your dissertation committee for feedback and approval. After completing your research, the committee assembles again for the defense of your work and results.

More About Merrill's Ph.D. Program

The Philip Merrill College of Journalism is a professional school dedicated to two missions: First, to educate and train students to become leaders of the news business in print, television/radio and online journalism. Second, to prepare scholars of distinction whose published works and critiques will advance the standards and practices of journalism, and our understanding of the news media and its influence on society.

These missions are complementary; together, they embrace the larger purposes for which the American free press was created: to assist the public and its leaders to receive the kind of reliable information essential for the functioning of the democracy.

In offering a Ph.D. in Journalism Studies, the University of Maryland provides scholars and journalistic practitioners a unique opportunity to study the workings of the media and assess its effect on society in the news center of the world. Intellectual resources on the Maryland campus alone offer a rich menu for scholars at a university and a journalism college that take pride in striving for the broadest application of the indispensable principle of diversity in its students, its faculty, and its course offerings.

Among the highly regarded university programs available for Ph.D. candidates to explore are such subjects as American studies, women’s studies, information technology, public policy, sociology and a wide range of specialty areas covering the fields of business, the sciences, environmental policy, and studies relating to concerns affecting women, the family, race and minorities. In addition to these advantages, the capital area forms a unique laboratory for examining the professional functioning of journalism practiced by the most numerous and diverse domestic and foreign news organizations operating anywhere. It also presents an opportunity for scholars to take advantage of the unrivaled archival/historical resources available here through such institutions as the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the National Public Broadcasting Archives and Library of American Broadcasting (located on the University of Maryland campus), numerous museums, galleries, national “think tanks,” as well as the principal government agencies and departments, the courts, the branches of Congress with their multiple fact-gathering committees and subcommittees, and the interest groups, political consultants, and pollsters all seeking to influence the legislative process and the way issues are portrayed in the media.

With this as background, the Philip Merrill College of Journalism envisions its Ph.D. program as being focused on, but not restricted to, a broad range of general subjects for study. Among them: Media and Society. Media and the Family. Media and Minorities. Media and Gender and Ethnicity. Media and the Presidency. Media and Government and Politics. Media and the Law. Media and Science and Technology. Media and Business and the Economy. Media and Foreign Affairs. Media and Public Opinion. Media and the Military.

The College also sees its Ph.D. program as being created to fulfill the following critical needs:

• To bring together professional journalists and academic media specialists and teach them to speak the same language.  At present, each side tends to talk at cross-purposes. Too often, the journalists are so busy “doing their job” that they lack sufficient time to reflect on what that job is or should be and thus fail to assess adequately the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary journalism in order to improve its standards and ethics. At the same time, too often the academics engage in research that confirms the obvious, thus providing little practical utility, and write in language that is needlessly abstruse. Some scholars offer radical critiques of the commercial media system and the First Amendment under which it operates. Maryland’s Ph.D. program is designed to help bridge this gap between the professionals and the academics and indeed to force engagement between the practitioners and the scholars in hopes that each side will gain insights from exposure to the other.
• To provide a wide range of coursework that acquaints students with various theories of journalistic practice while emphasizing the most rigorous standards of scholastic inquiry.  At the same time, the college offers Ph.D. candidates a strong component of history, political science and social science research that makes use of the area’s resources. In furtherance of these goals, the college stresses coursework on the literature and philosophy of journalism that emphasizes the basic relationship among the media, the government and society. Essential to realizing this goal is coursework that exposes scholars to archival/historical research techniques and emphasizes scholarly research methodologies. Another strong component emphasizes the vital role of cross-cultural journalism and examines how well, or poorly, journalistic presentation of art, drama, film, books, sports, religion, and cultural manners, mores, values and attitudes affect or reflect the wider society.
• To prepare media teachers and critics who will become leaders in training and influencing future generations of journalists and whose published works will stimulate critical examination of the media.  Merrill faculty have published widely on critical elements of journalism in society, including work by Prof. Mark Feldstein on the rise of Washington’s scandal culture; Prof. Susan Moeller on terrorism and conflict coverage, Prof. Sarah Oates on the internet and social change; and Prof. Linda Steiner on women and the media.
• To prepare students to explain the American media system to the world in a way that goes beyond merely defending or criticizing it, and helps provide insight into how the media affects the formulation of foreign and domestic policy.  In furtherance of this goal, the College actively seeks to attract international scholars interested in studying the workings of the American media as well American students with a primary interest in foreign affairs and policy.

To achieve these doctoral goals, the Philip Merrill College of Journalism is committed to strive for excellence in the professional and scholarly credentials of its faculty, its scholastic standards, its coursework, and its mission to elevate the principles and practice of journalism.

Merrill College’s Ph.D. graduates find tenure/tenure-track positions and other jobs all over the U.S. and around the world.

• Dinfin Mulupi '24: Assistant Professor, University of Colorado, Boulder 
• Sohana Nasrin '24: Instructor, Communication, University of Tampa, Florida
• Frankie (Ho Chin) Wong '24: Assistant Professor, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
• Alison Burns '23: Lecturer, Philip Merrill College of Journalism; Director of the College Park Scholars Media, Self, and Society Program, University of Maryland 
• Bobbie Foster '23: Assistant Professor, Journalism & Strategic Media, University of Arkansas 
• Wei-Ping Li '23: Post-Doctoral Research and Adjunct Lecturer, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland; and Research Fellow, Taiwan Factcheck Center
• Shannon Scovel '23: Assistant Professor of Sports Communication at the University of Tennessee
• Carolina Velloso '23:  President's Postdoctoral Fellow at the Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota
• Denitsa Yotova '23: Instructor, Journalism and Media Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 
• Hazel Feigenblatt-Rojas '22: Programs Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Institute for War & Peace Reporting
• Carole Lee '22: Program Coordinator, College Park Scholars Media, Self, and Society Program, University of Maryland 
• Andrew Otis '22: Associate Editor, Analytics, The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Nandikoor R. Prashanth Bhat ‘20: Assistant Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Texas, Houston
• Hoa Nguyen ‘20: Head of Digital Information Division, Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Information and Communications, Vietnam 
• Rachel Buchanan O’Hare '20
• Karin Assmann '19: Assistant Professor, College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia
• Brooke Auxier '19: Research Manager, Deloitte Center for Technology, Media and Telecommunications 
• Jason Scanlon '19: News Director & Producer, Fox News
• James Gachau '18: Theology Teacher, Boston College High School 
• Justin Hudson '18
• Andrew Nynka '18: Editor-in-Chief, The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda
• Boya Xu '18: Senior UX Researcher, Amazon
• Saranaz Abdollahzadeh Barforoush '17: Assistant Professor of Teaching, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver
• Pallavi Guha, '17: Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Towson University
• Joanna Nurmis '17: Press Attachée, French Embassy in Estonia
• Stanton Paddock '17:  Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur du Québec (MEES)
• Allissa Richardson '17: Associate Professor of Journalism and Communication, Founding Director of the Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab, University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
• Yacong Yuan '17:  Adjunct Assistant Professor, Communications Studies Program, University of Maryland Global Campus 
• Tetyana (Tanya) Lokot '16: Associate Professor, School of Communications, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dublin City University, Ireland
• Saswat Pattanayak '16: Blogger and Journalist
• Rob Wells '16: Associate Professor, Philip Merrill College of Journalism 
• Michael Koliska '15: Associate Professor, Communication, Culture & Technology,  Georgetown University
• Robbie Morganfield '15:  Executive Director, Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, Morehouse College
• Merrilee Cox '14: Adjunct Lecturer, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
• Stine Eckert '14: Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Wayne State University
• Jacqueline Incollingo '14: Associate Professor of Communication, Rider University
• Raymond McCaffrey '14: Assistant Professor and Director of the Center for Ethics in Journalism, University of Arkansas
• Klive Oh '14: Associate Professor, Communication Division, Pepperdine University
• Elia Powers '14: Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Towson University
• Woody Woodruff '14
• John Davis (as Sergei Golitsynskiy) '13: Software Engineer, Schatz Lab, Johns Hopkins University
• Jing Guo '13: External Affairs Officer, The World Bank
• Jeff Lemberg '13: Retired Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Curry College
• Jessica Roberts '13: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon
• Kevin Swift '13: Department Chair, Mass Communications, Methodist University (Fayetteville, North Carolina)
• Matthew Bates '12: Retired Assistant Professor of Communications, Trinity Washington University
• EunRyung Chong '12
• Mihee Kim '12
• Eric Easton '11: Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Baltimore School of Law
• Arielle Emmett '11: Freelance writer, consultant, and editor
• Sonia Pedrosa Pereira '11: Associate Professor, Associação Carioca de Ensino Superior, Rio de Janeiro
• Lindsey Wotanis '11: Associate Professor and Broadcast Journalism Program Director, Marywood University
• Ira Chinoy '10: Associate Professor Emeritus, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
• Megan Fromm '10: Education Manager, National Association for Media Literary Education
• Shuling Huang '10: Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
• Priyanka Matanhelia '09: Project Manager, Flamingo Consulting Group (Mumbai, India)
• Wenjing Xie '09: Associate Professor of Journalism, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
• Chunying Cai '08: Media Production Professional, Washington, D.C.
• Marlene Cimons '08: Adjunct Professor, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
• Ray Gamache '08: Retired Assistant Professor of Mass Communication, Kings College
• John Kirch '08: Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Towson University
• Paul Mihailidis '08: Professor of Civic Media and Journalism and Special Advisor to the Provost, Emerson College
• Indira Somani '08: Former Associate Professor of Broadcast Journalism, Howard University; Filmmaker and Team Leader for Equity and Representation, New Day Films
• Carlos Agudelo '07: Professor, Universidad de Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia
• Natalie Hopkinson '07: Associate Professor of Media, Democracy & Society, American University
• Norm Lewis '07: Associate Professor of Journalism, University of Florida
• Tracy Lucht '07: Associate Professor, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, Iowa State University
• Svetlana Markova '07: Communications Office, The World Bank
• Jad Melki '07: Chairperson, Communication Arts Department, Lebanese American University
• Bu Zhong '06: Journalism Professor, Penn State University
• Tamara Henry '05: Former Adjunct Professor, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
• Stacy Spaulding '05: Professor and Department Chair, Towson University

In Memoriam 

• Ronald N. De Munbrun '17: Career civil service employee and Vietnam War veteran

Important Links

• All Graduate School Forms
• Current Form Deadlines
• TA/GA/Supervisor Form
• Independent Study Form
• Leave for Health Condition
• Merrill Ph.D. Handbook
• Student Information and Resources
• Starting the Ph.D.
• Semester Calendar
• Academic Deadlines
• Ph.D. Checklist
• Ph.D. Policies
• Filing Your Dissertation
• Schedule of Classes
• Doctoral Student Surveys
• Student Financial Accounts
• Graduate School Fellowships
• UMD Division of Research
• IRB Research
• National Communication Association
• International Communication Association
• Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• American Journalism Historians Association
• Merrill College Research Facebook Group
• AEJMC Job Postings
• HigherEd Jobs

Fellowships & Awards

Each requires a student letter and/or faculty nomination to the Ph.D. director.

Michael Gurevitch Journalism Scholarship 

Professor Emeritus Michael Guerevitch taught at the University of Maryland’s College of Journalism from 1983 to 2008, during which time he worked on original research on how journalists grasped the practical problems of keeping the public informed. The Michael Gurevitch Journalism Scholarship is awarded to one Ph.D. journalism student.

Eligibility:  As stipulated by the donor, this award shall be used to provide annual non-renewable scholarships to a Ph.D. student at Merrill College with financial need, with a preference for an international student. Submit a letter explaining your request to the Ph.D. director before the deadline.

Professor Thomas J. Aylward Scholarship

The Professor Thomas J. Aylward Scholarship is awarded to one journalism Ph.D. student who demonstrates financial need.

Eligibility:  As stipulated by the donor, the selection is based "on a combination of potential success and financial need." This scholarship was established as a tribute to Professor Aylward, the former chair of the University of Maryland's Department of Communication Arts and Theater and former director of the Division of Radio, TV, and Film before it was separated from the college. Submit a letter explaining your request to the Ph.D. Director before the deadline.

Ray Hiebert History of Journalism Award

This award reflects the interest of Professor Ray Hiebert, founding dean of the University of Maryland College of Journalism and himself a historian. The scholarship provides an annual award to any graduate student or faculty member at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism who writes the best material on any aspect of American journalism history.

• Dr. Mabel S. Spencer Award for Excellence in Graduate Achievement
• Outstanding Graduate Assistant Awards
• Dissertation Fellowships
• Charles A. Caramello Distinguished Dissertation Award

If a conference is held in the Baltimore/Washington Metro area and no travel or hotel expenses are involved, the college will pay the REGISTRATION costs for doctoral students.

If a conference is held outside the Baltimore/Washington Metro area, the college will reimburse doctoral students up to $1,200 in registration and travel costs for students who are presenting papers or invited to speak.

If the conference involves international travel, the college will reimburse doctoral students up to $1,200 in registration and travel costs if they are presenting papers or invited to speak. In addition, the college has endowed “international graduate school travel scholarship funds” that vary every year depending on the earned income from the endowment. These scholarships may be used to supplement the regular travel allowance and will be awarded at the discretion of the Doctoral program director.  Note: The total international travel fund is never more than a few thousand dollars a year. 

For presenting original research at more than one conference annually, doctoral students will be eligible for a total annual reimbursement of up to $1,200.

The college does not have funds available for travel reimbursement for doctoral students not presenting at conferences. However, a handful of Doctoral faculty members have grants or endowed travel funds that may be used at their discretion to fund doctoral student travel.  

In addition, Doctoral students may be eligible for supplemental travel grants awarded by the Graduate School. Please see the grad school’s website for information on these grants.

Please fill out our  travel award application .

Gene Roberts Award

The Gene Roberts Award supports international travel by journalism students. Supports students with at least one research presentation at a scholarly international conference. For consideration, fill out the travel award application upon acceptance to a conference.

Hiebert Journalism International Endowed Travel Fund

The Hiebert Journalism International Endowed Travel Fund is awarded to support international travel for journalistic or research projects by journalism students. Supports students with at least one paper/research presentation at an international scholarly conference. For consideration, fill out the travel award application upon acceptance to a conference.

More travel grants are available through the UMD Graduate School .

More Merrill College Fellowship & Aid Opportunities .

For More Information

Sarah Oates

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Journalism and Communication

Application options include:

Course Overview

Our MPhil/PhD programme in Journalism and Communication invites you to submit a proposal for research on the journalistic and communicative dimensions of agenda-setting, cities, conflict, ethics, media ownership, mis- and disinformation, professional ideologies, race and related topics.

An MPhil/PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation. The MPhil thesis is not more than 60,000 words; the PhD thesis is not more than 100,000 words. This programme also welcomes practice-based PhD theses, the requirements for which vary according to the nature of the research and should be discussed with the admissions tutors. Both the MPhil and the PhD are assessed by a viva voce examination.

We offer an exceptionally stimulating environment , where your journalism and communication research will flourish in a wider interdisciplinary context. We have critically engaged research clusters working on cultural policy, creative labour, curatorial practice, digital aesthetics, digital politics, essay film, film exhibition, journalism and democracy, media reform, mediated spaces and television studies.

Our aim is to offer a programme of seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops and reading groups that not only help you build your research skills, but generate a sense of intellectual community, based on dialogue and mutual support. You will also be offered training sessions at all levels of the College, including at the  Birkbeck Graduate Research School (BGRS).

At Birkbeck, you are initially registered on an MPhil and you upgrade to a PhD after satisfactory progress in the first year or two (full time). You need to find a suitable academic supervisor at Birkbeck, who can offer the requisite expertise to guide and support you through your research. Find out more about undertaking a research degree at Birkbeck .

Key information

Journalism and communication mphil/phd: 7 years part-time, on campus, starting 2024-25.

• October 2024
• January 2025

Journalism and Communication MPhil/PhD: 4 years full-time, on campus, starting 2024-25

Find another course:

• This MPhil/PhD in  Journalism and Communication is offered as part of a range of competitively awarded PhD studentships funded by support from UK Research and Innovation, charities, government and external partners.
• The award-winning  Birkbeck Cinema  is central to our research culture. The 70-seat cinema is equipped with 35mm and state-of-the-art DCP projection. Our  Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image  (BIMI) runs a busy, intellectually stimulating programme of events, including conferences, screenings and film-related events of all kinds, including at our cinema.
• You will have the opportunity to participate in and attend the  Essay Film Festival , jointly run by BIMI and the  Institute of Contemporary Arts  (ICA), with free admission to events hosted at Birkbeck. You will also be able to take advantage of practical film-making opportunities offered through the  Derek Jarman Lab .
• The Vasari Research Centre for Art and Technology integrates a wide range of digital culture research at Birkbeck, while making available equipment and systems to students, interns and academics. In addition, the  Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture (BIRMAC) provides a unique space for reflective critical inquiry on media and culture, where researchers from different disciplines can gather and participate in a sustained intellectual conversation in a truly interdisciplinary context.
• As well as the Birkbeck Library , you will have access to the nearby Senate House Library , various libraries of the University of London colleges, the British Library , as well as other specialist collections and institutions in central London, including the British Film Institute library.
• Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. Birkbeck’s research excellence overall was  confirmed in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework  with 83% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

A good degree in journalism, media, communication, cultural studies, or other related areas in the social sciences, humanities or political science. Depending on your background and research experience, a BA might be sufficient. Generally we recommend that you apply with a good MA degree.

You will also need to submit a specific indication of research interests with your application, and a 2000-word proposal.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this programme is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement,  we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services  to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our  English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country .

Visa and funding requirements

If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

• Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
• Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

For full information, read our visa information for international students page .

Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country .

Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

Journalism and Communication MPhil/PhD: 7 years part-time or 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25

Academic year 2024–25, starting october 2024, january 2025, april 2025.

Part-time home students: £2,539 per year Full-time home students: £4,786 per year Part-time international students : £7,525 per year Full-time international students: £14,885 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy .

If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

Fees and finance

PhD students resident in England can apply for government loans of over £26,000 to cover the cost of tuition fees, maintenance and other study-related costs.

Flexible finance: pay your fees in monthly instalments at no extra cost . Enrol early to spread your costs and reduce your monthly payments.

We offer a range of studentships and funding options to support your research.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

International scholarships

We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship .

Our research culture

Our research encompasses journalism, film and television, artistic practice and arts management, and digital media, culture and design . Our work is critically engaged, challenging conventional assumptions about the functions and influence of media and culture, scrutinising institutions, organisations and work practices in the creative industries, and rethinking what media can mean and do.

We place particular emphasis on practice-based research, in which ideas and issues are investigated through activities such as creative film-making and digital design. The research of our academic staff is thoroughly interdisciplinary, and incorporates both historical research and contemporary explorations of our rapidly changing media landscapes.

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework for Art and Design research Birkbeck was ranked 4th nationally with world-leading achievements for environment (90%), impact (67%) and outputs (65%).

We work with a wide range of partners, including the  V&A , the  Institute of Contemporary Arts ,  University of Pittsburgh ,  BFI ,  Science and Media Museum ,  Lux Cinema ,  Tate Britain ,  Media Reform Coalition ,  Action on Armed Violence  and  Electra , and the facilities available to staff and students include the  Vasari Research Centre , the  Birkbeck Cinema , the  Peltz Gallery  and the  Derek Jarman Lab .

Teaching opportunities

As part of our commitment to professional development, you have the opportunity to gain experience in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There is also a 10-week lecture series, Teaching in the Arts, which is designed to prepare students for teaching humanities in higher education.

Follow these steps to apply to an MPhil/PhD research degree at Birkbeck:

1. Check that you meet the entry requirements, including English language requirements, as described on this page.

2. Find a potential supervisor for your MPhil/PhD research. You can look at the Find a Supervisor area on this page for an overview, or  search our Experts’ Database  or  browse our staff pages  for more in-depth information. You may also find it helpful to  view the research projects of our current students .

3. Contact the academic member of staff - or the department they teach in - for an informal discussion about your research interests and to establish if they are willing and able to supervise your research. (Please note: finding a potential supervisor does not guarantee admission to the research degree, as this decision is made using your whole application.)  Find out more about the supervisory relationship and how your supervisor will support your research .

4. Draft a research proposal of up to 2000 words (excluding references). This needs to demonstrate your knowledge of the field, the specific research questions you wish to pursue, and how your ideas will lead to the creation of new knowledge and understanding.  Find out more about writing a research proposal .

5. Apply directly to Birkbeck, using the online application link on this page. If your research proposal meets our entry criteria, and we have an appropriate academic to supervise you, we will invite you for an interview, in person or by telephone. All research students are initially registered on an MPhil and then upgrade to a PhD after making sufficient progress.

Find out more about the application process, writing a research proposal and the timeframe .

Application deadlines and interviews

You can apply throughout the year for commencement in October or the following January.

If you wish to apply for funding, you will need to apply by certain deadlines. Consult the websites of relevant bodies for details.

Apply for your course

Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section .

Finding a supervisor

A critical factor when applying for postgraduate study in journalism and communication is the correlation between the applicant’s intellectual and research interests and those of one or more potential supervisors.

Find out more about the research interests of our  academic staff  and their areas of research.

Related courses

• Film and Screen Media (MPhil/PhD)
• Cultural Policy and Management (MPhil/PhD)
• Digital Culture and Communication (MPhil/PhD)

PhD Studentship: Fully funded PhD Studentship in AI and Journalism

University of surrey.

Fundamental to well-informed and democratic societies, journalism relies heavily on trust, credibility, and accountability. While AI offers enhanced capabilities and efficiency, there’s a risk it may amplify biases and disinformation. Such pitfalls could lead to biased or inaccurate reporting, misinforming the public and exacerbating societal divides. Hence, in journalism committing to the highest standards of responsible AI is critical. This commitment means ensuring accuracy, fairness, and public trust, while fostering accountability and transparency in reporting. This project seeks to enhance responsible AI adoption in the newsroom, and promoting cross-team and interdisciplinary communication and coordination within the news organisations.

The student will work closely with the supervisor on a project in partnership with the BBC on ‘Responsible AI Literacy in Journalism’. Through this, the student is expected to engage with BRAID (Bridging the Responsible AI Divide) programme, which a UK-wide programme dedicated to integrating Arts and Humanities research more fully into the Responsible AI ecosystem, as well as bridging the divides between academic, industry, policy and regulatory work on responsible AI.

Supervisors: Dr Bahareh Heravi

Entry requirements

Open to any UK or international candidates. Starting in January 2025.

Later start dates may be possible, please contact Dr Bahareh Heravi once deadline passes.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme .

All applicants must have (or expect to obtain) a first-class degree or an MSc/MA in Information Science, AI, Sociology, Journalism, Communication and Media or a relevant discipline, and a strong interest and demonstrable knowledge in pursuing research in this field.

Candidates with Masters degrees are preferred. Candidates with a multidisciplinary educational background, consisting of a mix of social sciences/journalism, communication and media/humanities/arts AND information/computer science degrees are particularly encouraged to apply.

In addition to excellent knowledge of AI and data-driven methods, multidisciplinary background in media and communication, or other relevant social science disciplines would be advantageous.

The candidate must have a good understand of qualitative and quantitative research methods and their application. A track record of publications and/or presentation in journals and conferences is highly valued. Experience in working in me the media industry and/or expertise in other forms of communication is also appreciated.

We seek applicants who are self-motivated, enthusiastic and proactive, can work independently, collaborate effectively, and contribute towards a richer environment for themselves and their research community.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.

UKRI standard studentship

Stipend: £1,600 per month (£19,237 per year). This is tax free. 

Fees: UK home rate fees. In exceptional cases, we may be able to waive the non-UK fees for an exceptional international/European candidate.

Research, training and support: £3,000 over the project.

Funding is for up to 3.5 years. Fully and directly funded for this project only.

Application deadline:  10 September 2024

We review applications on a rolling basis and encourage early submissions. The recruitment process will continue until a suitable candidate is found, at which point the position may close prior to the deadline.

Enquiries:  Contact Dr Bahareh Heravi

Ref:  PGR-2324-109

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Hubbard School

of journalism and Mass Communication

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The PhD program is designed to prepare independent scholars for academic careers in teaching and research in mass communication and related fields. You will build a solid foundation in the discipline through multifaceted exploration of the theories and methods that influence the shape and scope of mass communication research. You are strongly encouraged to develop your own theoretical and methodological approach to mass communication research and to interact and collaborate with our multidisciplinary faculty on cutting-edge research in mass communication in the global and multicultural context.

Application Deadline

Fall 2024 Admissions Update : Applications for Fall 2024 Admissions are no longer being accepted for the  Mass Communication M.A. and Ph.D. graduate programs .   The program will begin to accept applications for Fall 2025 admissions in September 2024 and this page will reflect our program requirements for Fall 2025 admissions.   Fall 2025 Admissions Deadline: Our program admissions deadline for the Mass Communication M.A. and Ph.D. graduate programs will be December 15, 2024. If you have additional questions about the application process, please email [email protected] .

Program Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the PhD program, you must have completed, or be in the process of completing, a master's degree or equivalent advanced degree. 

Once you're admitted to the PhD program, you will work closely with a faculty advisor to select your dissertation field and supporting coursework. Common areas of research include:

• Advertising
• Communication law and regulation
• Health communication
• History of mass communication
• International mass communication
• Journalism studies
• Mass media structures, processes, and effects
• Political communication
• Public relations  

You do not know how strong you are until you are inspired to bring that hidden strength forward. That is the greatest strength of our graduate program: It guides you in surfacing your own individual greatest strengths—as a scholar, as a teacher, as a student and as a person. Our faculty, graduate students and staff members inspire you when you are at your most dire, lift you when you drift away and genuinely, deeply and faithfully value you every day.

Your Career Path

The typical career path for our PhD students is to take a tenure-track academic position at a university. Our PhD graduates have been placed at top-ranked universities in the U.S. and other countries, and have pursued careers at high-profile non-profit organizations, major advertising, public relations and media organizations, research firms, large corporations, and as consultants.  

Degree Requirements

All PhD students must complete a minimum of 46 graduate credits, 24 thesis credits, and a dissertation. All course work must be taken on an A-F grading basis.

The following requirements must be fulfilled to complete the Ph.D. program in mass communication:

1. Required Mass Communication Core (7 credits)

• JOUR 8001: Studies and Theories of Mass Communication (3 cr)
• One more theory course inside the HSJMC(e.g., JOUR 8514) (3 cr)
• JOUR 8009: Pro-seminar in Mass Communication (1 cr)

2. Required Methodology Core (9 credits)

• JOUR 8501: Research Methods in Mass Commucation (3 cr)
• One additional method course inside of the HSJMC (3 cr)
• One additional method course inside or outside of the HSJMC (3 cr)

3. Additional academic requirements:

• 30 additional credits of coursework. 
• 18 of the additional credits must come from HSJMC courses
• 12 of the additional credits must come from courses outside of HSJMC. This can be achieved by any combination of theory, method and topic seminar courses taken outside the HSJMC. Students are encouraged to explore freestanding graduate minors or graduate minors related to another major.

4. Doctoral thesis credits (24 credits) 5. Preliminary written examination 6. Preliminary oral examination 7. Approved dissertation 8. Final oral examination

View curriculum & courses  

Written Examination and Oral Examination

Preliminary written PhD examinations are scheduled to test mastery of the student's chosen area of study after coursework in the degree program has been completed. Written examinations cover the examinee's dissertation and supporting areas of study, including methodologies and mass communication research coursework.

Comprehensive and aimed at the highest levels of scholarship, the exams are designed to assess abilities in abstract and concrete thought, including an ability to:

• Conceptualize problems
• Create and critique research designs
• Assimilate, associate, and synthesize areas of knowledge
• Evaluate literature, research, theories, models, and methodologies
• Discern, discuss, and explain substantive issues, problems, trends, alternative perspectives, and research approaches in both general and specific areas of the field

An examination may include all or any combination of the above. Students should plan ahead and budget preparation time for the examinations. Generally, most students allow at least one semester for review, reading, thought and reflection in preparation for the examination.

Once a student passes the written preliminary examination, they proceed to the oral defense examination where they are questioned by their committee members. Once a student successfully defends both the written and oral portions of the preliminary exam, they are considered to have reached ABD – All But Dissertation – status.  

PhD Dissertation Process 

PhD students are eligible to defend their dissertation after they have passed their preliminary written and oral exams, as well having received approval of their dissertation proposal and dissertation from their committee members. PhD candidates work closely with their faculty advisors during the stages of writing their dissertation. Instructions for preparation of the dissertation (e.g.) margins are available from the Graduate School. 

A dissertation and final oral examination is required of all PhD candidates. 

Transferring Credits

With the approval of their advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), students may bring a limited number of credits with them from other graduate programs.

Learn more about transferring credits . 

Want to Learn More?

The Hubbard School Graduate Program is one of the best in the nation. 

PhD/MPhil Journalism

Postgraduate research degree

On the PhD/MPhil, you will join our internationally renowned Journalism department, whose expertise includes editors of leading academic journals, receiving a high level of support from your supervisor.

Key information

Journalism Postgraduate research degrees PhD/MPhil course Overview

You will be joining our internationally renowned Department of Journalism , whose staff includes experienced industry professionals and leaders in media research.

External assessors and students praise the high standard of research and the support of supervisors on our research degrees. A high percentage of our research graduates publish their theses in peer-reviewed journals and books.

Our faculty has expertise in topics including:

• Law and regulation
• Practices and processes in a digital context
• Effects of/on globalisation
• Representation and democratisation
• Business and leadership
• Scholarship of teaching and learning in journalism .

We are especially interested in research proposals around journalism practices.

Our students often have the opportunity to teach, and after graduating may enter academia or return to senior roles in the media sector.

Students on graduate research programmes are initially registered for the degree of MPhil. Promotion to registration to PhD is not automatic, but contingent on the satisfactory outcome of a review process.

This normally takes place towards the end of the first year of registration for full-time candidates. The review process for part-time candidates will take place towards the end of the second year. If the outcome is satisfactory, the student will be upgraded to PhD.

The programme will conclude with submission of your research in the form of a PhD thesis. You will attend a viva voce examination in front of at least two examiners, at least one of whom will be external to City.

For full details about City, University of London's PhD programme structure, please see the Guide for Research Students .

Requirements

Entry requirements.

You should have an undergraduate degree with a second class (upper division) pass (or its equivalent) and a master’s degree in a related academic discipline.

In exceptional cases, professional qualifications and experience in the proposed research area may compensate for the lack of a Master's degree.

English requirements

For students whose first language is not English, the following qualifications will meet the English language requirement for entry to a postgraduate course of study:

• A first degree from a UK university or from the CNAA.
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions in Australia, Canada or the USA.
• GCE O-level/GCSE English language or English literature, grade C minimum.
• Cambridge ESOL CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) at grade C or above.
• An overall score of 7.0 in the English Language Testing System (IELTS) including 7.0 in writing with a minimum of 6.0 for each other subtest.
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language which satisfies the board of studies concerned.

For more information see our English language proficiency requirements at City.

Visa requirements

If you are not from the European Economic Area / Switzerland and you are coming to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study.

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:

• Students on courses of more than six months
• Students on courses of less than six months
• Students on a pre-sessional English language course.

For more information see our main Visa page .

Fees and funding

Full-time Home/UK: £5,110 per year

Part-time Home/UK: £2,560 per year

Full-time International: £13,630 per year

Part-time International: £6,810 per year

Fees for doctoral candidates are charged annually and cover registration, supervision and examination.

Fees are subject to review each year and may vary during your period of registration. Where applicable, fees for City's programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each academic year of study commencing in September . Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study .

City has a well-established structure and processes to support your research .

Support for PhD study

Prospective students are encouraged to explore doctoral Grants and funding opportunities such as:

• Research Council studentship awards , if available.

Our bursaries are non-repayable sums of money granted by the University, usually based on need.

Our loans are repayable sums of money granted by the University or other body.

Our scholarships are when the University pays towards your Study fees. You may also be eligible for further funding.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

The Government has introduced a new Postgraduate Doctoral Loans scheme which can provide a loan of up to £25,000.

This will be over three years to support study for a doctoral degree.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study. It can be used alongside any other forms of support you may be able to receive.

For more information, please see our Postgraduate Doctoral Loans page .

2020 Commonwealth Master’s PhD Scholarships

The Commonwealth Master’s PhD Scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) . These Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development. They are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries. These scholarships will allow you to undertake full-time taught Master’s study at a UK university.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for candidates from less developed countries and fragile states in the Commonwealth. These scholarships for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

Candidates are advised to read the terms and conditions carefully and to ensure they meet the full eligibility criteria as stated in the terms and conditions. For full details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK website.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses .

Academic support

Supervision.

Each of our research students is provided with a supervisory panel, including a designated lead supervisor.

Research training is provided both within the Department and across the School of Communication & Creativity at City. Students take research modules from MSc Research Method programme that are suitable to their studies.

MA modules in Academic Practice are also available to students to provide them with relevant skills required for teaching in higher education and for overall career development. Further pedagogical skills are developed through teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for those who secure teaching role.

The Department also runs a research seminar series in which doctoral students participate actively. At each stage of the PhD process, supervisors guide students to identify their individual training needs and direct them to relevant courses offered by City.

For more information about research degree training provision, please visit the City Doctoral College .

How to apply

We accept applications on an ongoing basis for entry in late September. There is no formal application deadline, but it is advisable to apply as early as possible due to the limited availability of supervisors.

To apply online, you will need to submit the following supporting documents:

• Your research proposal (max 3 sides of A4)
• Official work e-mail addresses (not private ones) for two academic referees (or one academic and one professional referee where appropriate)
• Copies of your degree transcripts and certificates (originals or certified copies).
• Proof of your English language proficiency (if applicable).

For more information please see how to prepare your research proposal .

When this information is received the application will be assessed by the relevant academic staff. Further information or an interview may be required. The applicant will be contacted if this is the case. The outcome will be reported to the applicant as soon as is practicable.

• Full-time 30 th Sep 2024
• Part-time 30 th Sep 2024
• 30 th Sep 2024

For further application enquiries please contact our PGR enquiries team .

Find a supervisor

See our full list of academic staff and potential supervisors in Department of Journalism.

Dr Zahera Harb

• Department of Journalism

Dr Paul Lashmar

Professor Suzanne Franks

Professor of Journalism

Useful links

• Doctoral College
• School of Communication & Creativity
• Student wellbeing
• Terms and conditions

Contact details

School of communication & creativity.

[email protected]

We have 6 journalism PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in the UK

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United Kingdom

Institution

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journalism PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in the UK

Fully funded phd studentship in ai and journalism, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Department of Journalism Studies PhD with a Practical Element

Self-funded phd students only.

The PhD opportunities on this programme do not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Social Sciences Research Programme

Social Sciences Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

PhD Opportunities in Communication, Media, and Film Studies

Funded phd programme (uk students only).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Local-level governance and environmental protection in Brazil

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Glasgow School for Business and Society (GSBS) – Self-Funded PhD Projects

Business research programme.

Business Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Political Management: exploring the potential and limitations of applying HRM and organisational behaviour concepts to political offices, political advisers and politicians.

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Journalism Studies PhD

Key information.

Join the growing research culture in Journalism Studies at Sussex and explore the practices, politics and impact of journalism in a wide range of contexts.

You’ll work with experienced faculty guiding and supervising you throughout your research project.

Areas of study

We particularly welcome research proposals in:

• news journalism
• political communications
• journalism and the military
• journalism and intelligence
• investigative journalism
• media and protest.

Projects can be co-supervised by faculty in other subject areas as appropriate.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Masters and P h D events

Meet us on campus or online

Book your place

Entry requirements

• UK requirements
• International requirements

Please select your country from the list.

Philippines

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

South Korea

Switzerland

United Arab Emirates

My country is not listed

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

English language requirements

Ielts (academic).

High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.  Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests, cambridge advanced certificate in english (cae).

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

LanguageCert Academic SELT

High level (70 overall, including at least 65 in each component).

LanguageCert Academic SELT scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.  Find out more about LanguageCert Academic SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres.

We do not accept the online version.  We also do not accept the non-SELT version.

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

High level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component)

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson PTE Academic

High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills)

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

High level 88 overall, including at least 20 Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

As/a-level (gce).

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

 Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% 

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt english-speaking countries.

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries: 

• Antigua and Barbuda
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• The British Overseas Territories
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

• Visas and immigration

Admissions information for applicants

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

• How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, there are two main routes:

• browse funded projects in this subject area
• browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.

Find out how to apply for a PhD at Sussex

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to work on your research full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life. For details  about part-time study,  contact us at  [email protected]

PhD or MPhil?

You can choose to study for a PhD or an MPhil. PhD and MPhil degrees differ in duration and in the extent of your research work.

• For a PhD, your research work makes a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in your chosen field.
• For an MPhil, your work is an independent piece of research but in less depth than for a PhD. You’ll graduate with the degree title Master of Philosophy. You might be able to change to a PhD while you study for an MPhil.

Our supervisors

Explore our research interests and find potential supervisors.

Dr Sally Xiaojin Chen

Senior Lecturer

[email protected]

View profile of Sally Xiaojin Chen

Dr Marina Dekavalla

Senior Lecturer in Media and Communication

[email protected]

View profile of Marina Dekavalla

Prof Ivor Gaber

Professor of Political Journalism

[email protected]

View profile of Ivor Gaber

Prof Sarah Maltby

Professor of Media & Communication

[email protected]

View profile of Sarah Maltby

Dr Monika Metykova

Senior Lecturer in Media Communications/Journalism Studies

[email protected]

View profile of Monika Metykova

Prof David Hendy

Emeritus Professor

[email protected]

View profile of David Hendy

Prof Kate Lacey

Professor of Media History & Theory

[email protected]

View profile of Kate Lacey

Dr Eleftheria Lekakis

Senior Lecturer In Media & Communication

[email protected]

View profile of Eleftheria Lekakis

Prof Pollyanna Ruiz

Professor of Media and Cultural Studies Studies

[email protected]

View profile of Pollyanna Ruiz

Funding and fees

How can i fund my course, funded projects and scholarships.

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and fragile states) for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

Find out more

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid .

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students.

Home students: Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26. Fees will become available once set by United Kingdom Research and Innovation.

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26. Fees will become available once set by United Kingdom Research and Innovation.

International students: £22,575 per year for full-time students

Home PhD student fees are set at the level recommended by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) annually, rising in line with inflation. Overseas fees are subject to an annual increase - see details on our tuition fees page

Additional costs

Note about additional costs.

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life .

Empirical research costs

On top of your PhD fees and living costs, you may also need to cover some research and training costs, relevant to your research project. These costs will depend on your research topic and training needs, but may include: - travel (to archives, collections or scientific facilities) - a laptop - overseas fieldwork costs (travel and accommodation, and language training) - conference costs (travel, registration fees and accommodation) - laboratory consumables and workshop materials - participant costs - transcription or translation costs - open-access publication costs. If you have a scholarship from one of the UK Research Councils, your scholarship should cover these types of costs. You'll receive details of how to claim this additional funding. If you're self funded, or if your scholarship doesn’t cover these costs, check with the Research and Enterprise Co-ordinator in your School for details of School or Doctoral School funding that may be available.

• Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Explore our campus

Experience Sussex life in our virtual tour.

Start your virtual tour

PhD Information Sessions

Visit campus and chat to staff and students. Book your place

Online PhD Sessions

Join a live webchat. Book your place

International

Meet us in your country

Course enquiries

+44 (0)1273 876787

Send us a message

Admissions enquiries

If you haven’t applied yet:

+44 (0)1273 678001 mah-pgr@​sussex.ac.uk

Find out about the School of Media, Arts and Humanities

After you’ve applied:

+44 (0)1273 877773 [email protected]

Find out how to apply

Quick links

• Guide to PhD study
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What do you want to do next?

• Courses Browse our courses by subject area
• Sussex Life Find out about life at Sussex
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• Apply Find out how to apply

Professionalising science journalism

Exploring how to connect research and practice to transform the field

Introduction

A PhD studentship is available to explore how science communication research can be integrated in science journalism practice, and more broadly, science communication practice. This University-funded studentship will be based at the renowned Science Communication Unit  at UWE Bristol.

Ref:  2324-MAY-HSS01 .

Expected start date: 1 May 2024 .

Closing date for applications:  16 February 2024 .

Studentship details

The COVID-19 pandemic and a rise in misinformation have heightened the need for effective science communication and discussions about how science communication may be professionalised have increased. The professionalisation of science communication would involve access to an organised body of knowledge that would inform practice ( Trench, 2017 ). Yet, there is a perceived disconnect between research and practice. This PhD will investigate how to create closer connections between science communication research and practice, with a primary focus on science journalism. The successful candidate will define the research approach with the supervisors. This research may consider the perspectives of those working in science journalism on how research can support their activities, barriers to their engagement with research and how the field should be professionalised. It may also explore researchers’ perspectives. This research will run in parallel to the European Commission-funded COALESCE project , developing a European Competence Centre for Science Communication, in which UWE Bristol is a partner. 

A suggested approach to data collection and analysis should be included in the proposal that will form part of the application. The data collection may enable insights to be collected from: science journalists and non-specialist journalists, informal online science writers and academics, among others. The Science Communication Unit (SCU)  at UWE Bristol has an international reputation for its research, practice and teaching in science communication. 

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email Dr Andy Ridgway ( [email protected] ).

The studentship is available from 1 May 2024  for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax exempt stipend, which will be £18,622 (2023/24) per annum.

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years for Home, EU and International students.

Eligibility

This PhD studentship is open to applicants in the UK, EU and international applicants. Applicants will ideally have a:

• minimum of 2:1 in relevant subject in an undergraduate degree (this could be in a science, social science or humanities subject)
• interest in developing data analysis skills (e.g. either some experience of quantitative/qualitative research techniques or willingness to learn) 
• interest, experience or qualification in science communication (e.g. MSc Science Communication), especially science journalism.

Applicants with questions about their eligibility are welcome to contact the supervisory team. 

How to apply

Please submit your application online . Your application should include a proposal outlining how the research will be conducted, who the participants will be and the insights this approach will yield. When prompted, use the reference number  2324-MAY-HSS01.

Supporting documentation : You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and a recognised English language qualification  (if required).

References : You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application.

Closing date

The closing date for applications is Friday 16 February 2024 .

Further information

It is expected that interviews will take place on  13 March 2024 . If you have not heard from us by 2 March 2024, we thank you for your application but, on this occasion, you have not been successful.

You may also be interested in

Contact the Doctoral Academy

Ways to contact the Doctoral Academy, from postgraduate research support to submitting your thesis.

Fees and funding

View Doctoral Academy tuition fees, project fees, completion fees and resubmission fees.

About the Doctoral Academy

Find out more about the UWE Bristol Doctoral Academy.

Discover how research at UWE Bristol is making a real impact.

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Who is Nicole Virzi, PhD student accused of killing her friend's newborn son?

Prosecutors in Pennsylvania say the death penalty is on the table for a Ph.D. student accused of killing a 6-week-old baby and severely injuring his twin brother while she was babysitting them in June.

Nicole Virzi, a 30-year-old from California, was charged with homicide, aggravated assault and child endangerment in the case involving the newborn twin boys in Pittsburgh.

According to a criminal complaint and a death penalty notice obtained by TODAY.com, the medical examiner determined one of the boys, Leon Katz, died of blunt force trauma​ on June 16.

Virzi was charged with homicide in connection with the boy's death, as well as the abuse of Leon's twin brother.

David Shrager, Virzi's defense attorney, told NBC News that he would pursue acquittal for his client.

“This was not the direction we hoped the case would go,” Shrager said. “We strongly disagree with the allegations made by the DA’s office regarding the death penalty. We will of course be litigating this case aggressively until the truth comes out.”

What happened to Leon Katz?

Leon Katz was a 6-week-old infant who died on June 16 after sustaining multiple head injuries while in Virzi's care.

According to a verified GoFundMe page , he and his twin brother, Ari, were born in May to Savannah Roberts and Ethan Katz, who lived in Pittsburgh.

On the day before he died, Leon spent time with Virzi on an outing with his parents and twin brother, according to a police complaint.

At some point that day, police said, Virzi pointed out to Roberts and Katz that Ari had blood in his diaper and that his penis was red and swollen, the complaint said.

Virzi said Leon was left in her care sometime around 6:30 p.m. at Roberts and Katz's apartment while they brought Ari to the hospital.

Virzi told investigators that she had fallen asleep while Leon was in a bouncer seat. When she woke up, she said she went to the kitchen to get a bottle for him while he remained unstrapped in his bouncer seat. While in the kitchen, Virzi heard the boy screaming, she said.

When she found the boy, he was lying on the ground and had a large bump on the left side of his head, she told police. She said she called the boys parents, and then called police at around 11:17, p.m., according the complaint. She told police the baby was conscious and breathing, but becoming non-responsive.

Emergency medical and fire teams responded to the scene, and Leon was taken to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center- Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:47 a.m. the next day, the complaint said.

An investigator for the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office reported that a CT scan showed Leon sustained a severe skull fracture to the left side of his head and had multiple brain bleeds, according to the complaint.

A physician from Child Advocacy Center informed detectives that the injuries found on Leon were consistent with ones sustained as a result of child abuse, and the injuries were inflicted "not natural and not accidental."

Who is Nicole Virzi?

At the time of Leon Katz's death, Nicole Elizabeth Virzi was pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of California, San Diego, studying behavioral medicine. Her student profile on the UCSD website was recently taken down.

The GoFundMe page described her as a "trusted family friend" of Savannah Roberts and Ethan Katz.

At the time of the incident, Virzi was staying at an Airbnb about an eight-minute drive away from the family apartment where the alleged incidents took place, police said.

What are the charges against Nicole Virzi?

In addition to homicide, she has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault and two counts of endangerment of child welfare.

Virzi waived her preliminary hearing in July, and was formally arraigned on Aug 23. She was not present for the arraignment, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported .

Where is Nicole Virzi now?

Virzi is currently being held without bond at the Allegheny County Jail.

Her next scheduled court appearance is a pre-trial conference set for Sept. 13.

Why could Nicole Virzi face the death penalty if convicted?

According to the Death Penalty Information Center , a nonprofit that publishes data and analysis on capital punishment, if convicted, Virzi could face the death penalty under Pennsylvania law due to aggravating factors — or conditions that make her alleged crimes more serious — that prosecutors say are relevant to her case.

Those factors include the fact that Leon Katz was under the age of 12, and also that Allegheny County prosecutors have alleged that torture was a factor in his death.

A death penalty case in the state would be rare; only three people have been executed in Pennsylvania since 1978, according to the Post-Gazette . There are no women on death row in the state.

“The decision to seek such is made only after careful and serious consideration of whether we believe we have evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that the aggravating factors outweigh potential mitigating factors,” Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said in a statement to CNN.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

Lomonosov Moscow State University

PREPARATORY COURSE (Pre-University Programme)

• Duration of study: March 2024 – July 2025.
• Holidays: July – August 2024.
• Start date: 1 March – 30 March 2024.
• Exams: June 2025.
• Tuition: $8900.
• The level of Russian: Beginner.
• Duration of study: September/October 2024 – July 2025.
• Start date: September – October.
• Tuition: $7000.
• The level of Russian: All levels.

• 1 BUSINESS SCHOOL
• 2 FACULTY OF BIOENGINEERING AND BIOINFORMATICS
• 3 FACULTY OF BIOLOGY
• 4 FACULTY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
• 5 FACULTY OF CHEMISTRY
• 6 FACULTY OF COMPUTATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND CYBERNETICS
• 7 FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES
• 8 FACULTY OF ECONOMICS
• 9 FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
• 10 FACULTY OF FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
• 11 FACULTY OF FUNDAMENTAL MEDICINE
• 12 FACULTY OF FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL ENGENEERING
• 13 FACULTY OF GEOLOGY
• 14 FACULTY OF GEOGRAPHY
• 15 FACULTY OF HISTORY
• 16 FACULTY OF JOURNALISM
• 17 FACULTY OF LAW
• 18 FACULTY OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
• 19 FACULTY OF MECHANICS AND MATHEMATICS
• 20 FACULTY OF PHYSICS
• 21 FACULTY OF PHILOLOGY
• 22 FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY
• 23 FACULTY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• 24 FACULTY OF SOCIOLOGY
• 25 FACULTY OF WORLD POLITICS
• 26 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF INNOVATIVE BUSINESS
• 27 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATION
• 28 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINIASTRATION
• 29 HIGHER SCHOOL OF MODERN SOCIAL SCIENCES
• 30 HIGHER SCHOOL OF POLICY IN CULTURE AND ADMINISTRATION IN HUMANITIES
• 31 HIGHER SCHOOL OF STATE AUDIT
• 32 HIGHER SCHOOL OF TRANSLATION/INTERPRETING
• 33 HIGHER SCHOOL OF TELEVISION STUDIES
• 34 INSTITUTE OF ASIAN AND AFRICAN STUDIES
• 35 MOSCOW SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
• 36 SOIL SCIENCE FACULTY

• Admission procedure