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Film Practice PhD

Our Film Practice PhD provides you with a unique opportunity to develop your film as a practice-led research project.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2025
  • January 2026

Overview

Newcastle University is a leading centre for the growth of Film Practice PhDs in the UK.

Building on the ambitious development of film practice, we work under the banner of Film@CultureLab.

Led by award-winning documentary filmmaker Dr Ian McDonald, we've established a distinctive approach to non-fiction film education practice and research.

This is grounded in an understanding of documentary film as a cinematic medium, and filmmaking as a mode of expression, critique, and social and historical intervention.

We offer practice-led PhDs in Documentary Film Practice in the following areas:

  • most areas of documentary/non-fiction film practice (see supervisor profiles for specialisms)
  • creative documentary practices in the UK, India, South Asia, Africa
  • sports documentaries
  • feminist film practice
  • social linguistics, translation and documentary practice

Film@CultureLab PhD scholars are based in Culture Lab.

You’ll have access to the superb facilities in Culture Lab and join a vibrant community of practice-led PhD scholars in film practice.

PhD students are encouraged to regularly present their work to each other as part of the PhD student-led Research Roundtable ‘Work-in-Progress’ events held throughout the year.

You will be part of Media, Culture, Heritage in the School of Arts and Cultures; a dynamic group of experienced academic researchers, heritage practitioners, doctoral researchers and fellow students from around the world.

Read more about our supervisors.

Supervisors in Film@CultureLab

Dr Ian McDonald is a sociologist and multi-award winning documentary filmmaker. Ian is an experienced supervisor interested in most areas of documentary practice.

He is particularly interested in supervising practice-based research in documentary filmmaking that leans towards the alternative, political and observational.

Dr Geetha Jayaraman, , known as Geetha J, is an internationally renowned writer, filmmaker and producer. Geetha's research area is primarily film practice, both as director and producer.

Geetha is interested in supervising practice-based research on India, the personal and the political, gender, dance/rituals, science and philosophy as well as other related areas.

Dr Alastair Cole is a documentary filmmaker whose films have been broadcast and screened in cinemas and film festivals internationally. His academic interests intersect documentary film practice with research in anthropology, language and politics, with regional interests in:

  • sub Saharan Africa
  • Scotland
  • Southern Europe
  • Oceania.

He is particularly interested in supervising any documentary film based research project that aims to creatively inquire into subjects within the humanities and social sciences.

Dr Evripidis Karydis completed his Documentary Film Practice PhD at Newcastle University in 2020.

He is an active documentary filmmaker and is interested in supervising in most areas of documentary filmmaking, with particular interests in political activism.

Co-supervision

We currently co-supervise a range of film and film-related projects with academic colleagues from:

 

READ MORE

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

How you'll learn

Your development

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) researcher development programme 

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

  • perform better as a researcher
  • boost your career prospects
  • broaden your impact

Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.

You’ll cover:

  • techniques for effective research
  • methods for better collaborative working
  • essential professional standards and requirements

Your researcher development programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

Find out more about the Researcher Education and Development programme

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Facilities

As a PhD student in Film@CultureLab, you will be based in Culture Lab. Culture Lab is a centre for film practice and is situated in a Grade II listed building.

Subject to availability you'll have access to modern industry-standard shooting kits and edit suites.

Culture Lab is supported by a team of dedicated film technicians.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

  • matriculation
  • registration
  • tuition (or supervision)
  • library access
  • examination
  • re-examination
  • graduation

Find out more about:

Search for funding

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Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

How to apply

Using the application portal

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Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Film Practice, PhD

Dr Geetha Jayaraman
School of Arts and Cultures
Email: SACS.PGR.Admin@newcastle.ac.uk 

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