Triangle

Research overview

We welcome applicants interested in a range of topics across media, journalism and political communication. Our academic staff are active researchers in these fields, and via our interdisciplinary research centre, the Centre for Media, Politics and Communication Research (CMPCR), we offer co-supervision with other schools and departments, including Politics, English and American and Canadian Studies.

Research specialisms:

  • Digital journalism, and the intersections of journalism and social media
  • Information, disinformation, and disordered information in media and political communication
  • Factchecking journalism, and other interpretive and analytic journalism practices
  • Political polarisation and the culture wars in political media and communication
  • The impact of digital technologies (including AI) on journalistic and organisational media practices, media policy and regulation
  • Digital media technologies and political accountability in Africa
  • Political communication and messaging in non-political, cultural settings

We welcome international and cross-comparative research proposals, and offer particular expertise across the CMPCR on a range of countries including the UK, Greece, Turkey, China, Kenya and other African countries.

As a student on this course, you will automatically become a member of the CMPCR, which provides a rich research environment, with research seminars from visiting speakers, an annual high profile public lecture, and connections with local and national journalists and news organisations.

You will also have the opportunity to join the membership board as a postgraduate representative, through which you can have a say in the events we host and fund, and propose and lead on other initiatives to support postgraduate research students.

Your department

Course content

You will complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisor(s). You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.

Current and recent students in the department have worked on a variety of media and communication topics including:

  • journalism and news media
  • media representation of social issues
  • communication practices of social movements
  • political uses of social media
  • online disinformation and computational propaganda
  • social media and identity

Recent examples of media and communication theses supervised within the department:

Recent examples of cross-disciplinary supervisions with other departments:

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

QualificationPhD
Degree

2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social science subject. We would usually expect you to hold, or be working towards, a masters degree in a relevant subject.

QualificationPhD
Degree

2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social science subject. We would usually expect you to hold, or be working towards, 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.

IELTS7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any 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.

Applying

Please identify and contact a potential supervisor from our research staff to check whether we can adequately support your research interests before submitting an application. Alternatively, contact the Departmental Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research and admission tutor, Dr Chrysi Dagoula, who may be able to advise on potential supervisors and funding opportunities.

Joint supervision and collaboration may also be available from other University of Nottingham departments or Midlands4Cities partner universities.

Our researchers and their specialisms.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

How to apply

Fees

QualificationPhD
Home / UK£5,350
International£23,000

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

Books

You'll be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to buy your own copies of core texts. The Blackwell's bookshop on campus offers a year-round price match against any of the main retailers (i.e. Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smith).

Funding

There are funding opportunities which are only open to students within the Faculty of Arts.

Postgraduate funding for Faculty of Arts students

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Support

Postgraduate Professional Development Programme

We provide opportunities for you to develop knowledge, experience and skills beyond your immediate research topic.

Work-in-progress seminars

Time and space for staff and students to present their own research for critique in a supportive and constructive atmosphere. As well as presenting your own work you'll also learn more about the ongoing process of academic research.

Visiting speakers and symposia

There's an extensive programme organised by both staff and students that give opportunities to hear from, and debate with, academics outside the department.

Expert supervision

The PhD is delivered through research supervision for the duration of the programme. You will have at least two supervisors who regularly read and advise on your work. The supervision process is overseen by the departmental Director of Postgraduate Studies who is responsible for ensuring that appropriate supervision is taking place. This includes a formal process of annual review.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

  • studying
  • socialising
  • computer work
  • seminars
  • kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services, including:

  • academic and disability support
  • childcare services
  • counselling service
  • faith support
  • financial support
  • mental health and wellbeing support
  • visa and immigration advice
  • welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

  • international students
  • black and minority ethnic students
  • students who identify as women
  • students with disabilities
  • LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

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Where you will learn

University Park Campus

University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

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 onto work in a range of fields, from university lectureships and post-doctoral fellowships to roles in the media, art councils and the creative industries.

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.

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Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

  • We are proud to be in the top 10 UK universities for research into English, while our ranking of 9th by 'research power' reflects our research excellence
  • 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
  • 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
  • 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 19 September 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.