University of Essex’s Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies offers supervision for PhD Film Studies in all areas of our wide-ranging staff research expertise, including an exceptional variety of approaches to global film and media. Students can explore different world cinemas and research the history of film, film theory, comparative and new media, festivals and media platforms, as well as contexts of film and media production and reception. The breadth of the staff expertise will enable students to undertake research which is interdisciplinary and innovative in nature, and students will be supported throughout their studies by regular contact with their supervisor and advisory board.

Within the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, students will be allocated a supervisor whose role it is to guide them through the different stages of their research degree. In some cases, students may have joint supervision by two members of the staff. The support provided by the supervisor is a key feature of the student research experience and students will have regular one-to-one meetings to discuss progress on their research. Initially, the supervisor will help students develop their research topic and plan.