Funding
Competition funded (UK/EU and international students)
Project code
Refer to 'How to apply' section below for project codes per area
Department
School of Architecture, Art and Design, School of Film, Media, and Creative TechnologiesStart dates
October 2025
Application deadline
17 January 2025
Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries of the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ to commence in October 2025.
The СÀ¶ÊÓƵ is investing in funded PhD bursaries that underpin our commitment to ever-developing our research culture and the impact that our research makes. In the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, we welcome a range of research methods and we encourage different approaches including conventional, practice-based and practice-led research.
We are especially keen to support interdisciplinary projects that involve more than one of the specialist research areas in the Faculty and prioritise research proposals that incorporate explorations of Extended Reality (XR) technologies and Creative Screen Media. We value research projects that demonstrate tangible real-world social impact and that identify collaborations with non-academic institutions, groups or organisations. We seek to achieve equality, diversity and inclusivity in our research community and wish to encourage applications from under-represented groups.
Eligibility and funding notes
Candidates wishing to apply may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). A fees-only offer may also be made. Bursary recipients will also receive a budget of £1,500 for project costs/consumables/conference attendance over the course of the PhD.
Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.
Explore our research areas
We invite PhD proposals in any of the areas of research across our two schools but we are particularly interested to support research proposal in the following subject areas:
School of Architecture, Art and Design
Research areas:
Architecture, Interiors and Urbanism
The School of Architecture, Art and Design invites research proposals in the areas of:
- Design practice and education, sustainable and environmental design
- Place making, landscape and urban design
- Cultural heritage, creative history and conservation in and through architecture, art and design
- Architecture and interior histories and theories
- Computational and analogue art and design, and spatial practices
- Questions of identity, positionality and representation in Photography
- Social and community engagement through creative and design practice
- Visual and material communication, particularly emerging practices in fashion and textile design, graphic design, illustration and photography
- Art-Science interdisciplinary research
Contact: Applicants with proposals in these areas should contact the Department Directors of Postgraduate Research:
Dr Tarek Teba (tarek.teba@port.ac.uk), Architecture
Dr Oliver Gruner (oliver.gruner@port.ac.uk), Art and design
School of Film, Media and Creative Technologies
Research areas:
Digital and Creative Technologies
Journalism, Communication and Creative Writing
Performance, theatre and music
The School of Film Media and Creative Technologies welcomes research proposals in the following areas:
- Extended Reality (XR) technologies and Creative Screen Media (moved to top of the list)
- Feminism and women's magazine cultures
- Representations of armed conflicts in film and media
- British and US film & television industries and representations
- Creative writing for community engagement
- Socially engaged performance, applied theatre, and musical theatre
- Games - Design and Technologies
- Extended Reality (XR) technologies and Creative Screen Media
- Creative technologies and pro-social change
Contact: Applicants with proposals in these areas should contact the Department Directors of Postgraduate Research:
Dr Stephen Harper (stephen.harper@port.ac.uk), Film and Media Studies / Journalism, Communication and Creative Writing / Performance, theatre and music
Dr Brett Stevens (brett.stevens@port.ac.uk), Digital and creative technologies
Entry requirements
You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
How to apply
1. Use the links listed above to explore the available areas of expertise within our Faculty and to tailor your proposal accordingly. You are encouraged to contact the relevant Department Director of Postgraduate Research (emails listed above) with a brief overview of a proposed topic before submitting a formal application.
2. Write up a short research proposal (1500-2500 words), providing the background to the proposed research, an outline of the study to be undertaken and the gap in research it addresses. The proposed research should relate to one or more of the above research areas. Please consult our research proposal guide for further guidance. It is strongly encouraged that you liaise with the appropriate Director of Postgraduate Research about your proposal prior to submission of formal application.
3. Apply online (links provided below) making sure you submit your research proposal, a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.
When you are ready to submit your application, please use the relevant subject area application links provided below. You must also quote the relevant project code to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity:
- code AAD50250125
- code AAD50260125
- code FMC50280125
- code FMC50290125
- code FMC50300125
- code FMC50270125
Have you got questions?
Informal enquiries are encouraged and can be made to the Department Director of Postgraduate Research Coordinator mentioned above. For administrative and admissions enquiries please contact admissions@port.ac.uk.
Explore our research areas
Architecture, interiors and urbanism postgraduate research degrees
Explore our pre-approved Architecture, Interiors and Urbanism PhD projects, learn more about our MPhil and other research degrees, and find out how to join the thriving research community at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
Art and design postgraduate research degrees
Explore our pre-approved Art and Design PhD projects, learn more about our MPhil and other research degrees, and find out how to join the thriving research community at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
Digital and creative technologies postgraduate research degrees
Explore our pre-approved Digital and Creative Technologies PhD projects, learn more about our MPhil and other research degrees, and find out how to join the thriving research community at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
Film and media postgraduate research degrees
Explore our pre-approved Film and Media PhD projects, learn more about our MPhil and other research degrees, and find out how to join the thriving research community at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
Journalism, communication and creative writing postgraduate research degrees
Explore our pre-approved Journalism, Communication and Creative Writing PhD projects, learn more about our MPhil and other research degrees, and find out how to join the thriving research community at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
Performance, theatre and music postgraduate research degrees
Explore our pre-approved Theatre, Music and Performance PhD projects, learn more about our MPhil and other research degrees, and find out how to join the thriving research community at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.