Journalism and Public Relations PhD
Journalism and Public Relations PhD
Full time: minimum 36 months, part time: minimum 72 months
Profile
Undertaking a PhD in journalism and public relations provides you with access to a wide range of professional and academic opportunities including quality-assured supervision, producing articles for various media and delivering lectures.
You will become part of the Media and Cultural Studies team contributing to a vibrant learning community. During your studies you will have the opportunity to present papers at conferences, write articles for academic journals and contribute articles to edited collections alongside other publications. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to enrol on a nationally recognised Teaching in Higher Education qualification, allowing you to host undergraduate and postgraduate seminars.
We are a leading research unit at Newcastle University with a strong PhD culture. Our research environment supports world-leading, internationally excellent scholarship. Our approach is distinct and interdisciplinary, focusing across theoretical and applied areas.
Our research is characterised by a critical cultural studies approach, with PhD supervision normally available in the following research areas:
- journalism work in transition; the political economy of local media; new understandings of 'local'; widening diversity in the news workforce; journalism education (Dr David Baines)
- social media; intimacy and changing social relationships; changing media technologies and personal life; gender, media and culture (Professor Deborah Chambers)
- public relations; corporate social responsibility; ePR (Ms Laurel Hetherington)
- journalism; discourse; ideology; political communication; media theory; national identity; war, politics and propaganda (Dr Darren Kelsey)
- critical discourse analysis; discourse analysis of new (social) media; national identity; political discourse analysis; ethnicity and immigration; international politics; the Middle East (Dr Majid Khosravinik)
- financialisation; the political-economy of Britain since the 1970s; political and financial elites; the UK Treasury; political rhetoric and its construction; the rhetoric of economics; heterodox economics
- data journalism; infographics; news values; newswork ethnography; online journalism; search engine optimisation; social media (Dr Murray Dick)
Delivery
This programme is taught on the Newcastle campus. Attendance is flexible and agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of the research project.
Facilities
As a postgraduate research student in multimedia journalism and public relations you will benefit from the Culture Lab facilities, the University's interdisciplinary research and practice centre.
In the news
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Training Programme and Student Support
Our Faculty Research Training Programme is a community made up of postgraduates from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
It is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as a sound foundation for doctoral studies.
Our aim is for you to develop a broad range of research and project management skills that will support you in your career ahead. Staff and students from across a range of disciplines can come together and share their research experiences. You can also choose to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training.
You will study in our Doctoral Training Suite, a purpose-built facility for lectures, workshops, seminars and computer access to specialist software. Each year we have two student-led research postgraduate conferences. There are also a variety of prizes and awards to celebrate the successes of our students.
Postgraduate Research Student Support
Our Research Student Support Team will provide support and advice throughout your studies. The team can help you on a variety of issues from registration to producing your transcripts.
Doctoral training centres and partnerships
Being part of a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) or Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) means that you can benefit from the research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics. You'll also be studying alongside a cohort of other PhD students.
These centres are often interdisciplinary, combining expertise and training from multiple subject areas. You may also be able to collaborate with an industrial or commercial organisation.
Your PhD will be funded. Normally the fees are covered and you'll receive a tax-free stipend or living expenses. Additional funding is sometimes available to cover things such as conference attendance and research materials.
The centres/ partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area.
Fees & Funding
2019-2020 fees
If your studies last longer than one year your fee may be subject to an annual inflationary increase.
The fees displayed here are per year.
PhD
UK
Full time: £4,327
Part time: £2,164
EU
Full time: £4,327
Part time: £2,164
International
Full time: £16,500
Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.
EU students starting at Newcastle in 2019 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.
Entry Requirements
A 2:1 honours degree and preferably a merit master's degree, or an international equivalent.
Find out the equivalent qualifications for your country.
Use the drop down above to find your country. If your country isn't listed please email: international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
English Language Requirements
Select an English language test from the list to view our English language entry requirements.
Please email us at international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
How to Apply
You apply online, track your application and contact the admissions team via our applicant portal. Our step-by-step guide can help you on your way.
You need to submit a research proposal with your application. This should be linked to the work of a supervisor or research group at the University. Read our guidelines for producing a research proposal (PDF: 41.5KB) from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science Graduate School.
When making your online application, please insert one of the following programme codes on the 'Programme of Study' page:
- 8834F (PhD, full time)
- 8836P (PhD, part time)
- 7018F (MPhil, full time)
- 7019P (MPhil, part time)
Then select 'PhD Media, Culture and Heritage' and the 'Research Area' Journalism and Public Relations.
Start dates
There are usually two possible start dates, although in some circumstances an alternative start date can be arranged:
- September
- January
There is no application closing date for this course, but specific deadlines for funding may apply.
We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
Deposit
If you live outside the UK/EU you must:
- pay a deposit of £1,500
- or submit an official letter of sponsorship
The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study at Newcastle University. The deposit is non-refundable, but is deducted from your tuition fees when you register.
Contact
Tina Sikka
School of Arts and Cultures
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5092
Email: pgmch@ncl.ac.uk or tina.sikka@ncl.ac.uk