Critical Theory and Cultural Studies PhD/MPhil

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom, Nottingham

University RankQS Ranking

109

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University of Nottingham

United Kingdom , Nottingham

Key Facts

Program Level

PhD (Philosophy Doctorate)

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesFebruary-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 25,750 / year(s)

Next Intake February-2026

Critical Theory and Cultural Studies PhD/MPhil

About

Research overview

Develop your own original research in an environment with a strong transnational and transcultural perspective. These perspectives produce a stimulating and vibrant community with debate encouraged between staff and students.

Our staff are experienced supervisors who will guide and support you both academically and personally.

Staff expertise

We have particular strengths in:

modern theory
political philosophy and politics
aesthetics
feminist, queer and gender studies
cultural, literary, media and visual studies
psychoanalysis
art history
postcolonial, sensory, science and technology studies
memory studies

Research centres

The Department of Cultural, Media and Visual Studies is home to two research centres where much of the Critical Theory and Cultural Studies research activity takes place. You will be encouraged to get involved and contribute.

Recent PhD theses

The Limits of Command and Control - David Young
Producing users online: Facebook, habit, power - Niall Docherty
Re/thinking chickens: the discourse around chicken farming in British newspapers and campaigners’ magazines, 1982–2016 - Elena Lazutkaite
Fanning the flames: political discourse analysis of anti-austerity social movement intervention in the UK general elections of 2015 and 2017 - Abigail Rhodes
Get rid of yourself: toward an aesthetics of anonymity - David Eckersley
Machine Learning Systems as Integrative Objects: Towards a Generic Epistemology of Predictive Systems - Magdalena Krysztoforska

Your department

Department of Cultural, Media and Visual Studies
90% of our research environment was assessed as "world leading" in the recent Research Excellence Framework 2021 evaluation

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Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Qualification
Degree	2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social science subject; and a masters degree in a relevant subject.

Qualification
Degree	2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social science subject; and a masters degree in a relevant subject.
International and EU equivalents	We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.
IELTS	7.0 (no less than 6.5 in each element)
English language requirements	As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.

English Program Requirements

IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.5 in each element) IELTS:

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

English language requirements:

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Career

Careers

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Our postgraduates go on to work in a wide range of fields, from university lectureships and post-doctoral fellowships to roles in the media, art councils and the creative industries, or in University administration. Many of our research students publish high-quality books and articles and have secured teaching positions in universities both in the UK and abroad.

100% of postgraduates from Cultural Media and Visual Studies secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology.