The first step as you consider applying to the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures for a PhD will be to check whether you meet eligibility criteria and to look at the research interests of individual staff to see if we have a colleague who works in the area of your research interests.
Next you should email your research proposal to the staff you have identified as your potential supervisor(s). It is essential to contact at least one potential supervisor to discuss your proposed PhD project before you apply for admission. This is likely to include a draft proposal at this stage, and indicative of your interests rather than binding. It will help you to organise your thinking and will give any prospective supervisor the most essential information. Your proposal may be refined and redrafted after discussions with your prospective supervisors before you apply.
We normally do not accept students who have not yet secured agreement from a potential supervisor. If you are unsure who may be an appropriate supervisor for your project, have a look at the available supervisors below and/or contact Dr Elena Carrera: e.carrera@qmul.ac.uk
Your Research Proposal forms a vital part of your application. Its quality, originality and feasibility will all be judged in the entry process and if you are applying for funding. The best proposals are developed in close consultation with prospective supervisors and prepared several months before any funding competition deadlines.
Good proposals open new research questions and have a clear set of theoretical objectives. Your proposal should demonstrate a good awareness of the existing literature around your chosen subject, and you should show an understanding of how your own research will contribute to, as well as further, the scholarly debate. You also need to demonstrate a practical sense of the project’s feasibility. Your proposed programme of work should be achievable within the space of 36 months of full-time study. You should be able to complete your project within the necessary financial constraints of a studentship award or self-funding.
Every year, the admissions committee reviews a large number of applications, so it is important that your proposal is well written and clearly presented. Try to use short sentences, paragraphs and subheadings to provide clear structure. Research proposal should not be longer than 2000 words (including bibliography) and follow the format below:
Prepare your Personal Statement (max. 4000 characters) and Academic Curriculum Vitae. In your personal statement, describe your motivation for pursuing PhD research and how your experience to date is relevant for carrying out the project proposed. This is likely to be a draft proposal at this stage, and indicative of your interests rather than binding. It will help you to organise your thinking and will give any prospective supervisor the most essential information. In this document, you should also outline how your proposed research fits within the department of Film and QMUL.
Your Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV) should include the following:
After discussing your proposal with potential supervisors, and subject to their support and guidance, you may wish to make a formal PhD application online on QMUL’s MySis platform. Note that indication of interest on the part of a potential supervisor does NOT guarantee acceptance into the programme. Applicants are advised to treat the letters of reference as an important component of their application. Ensure that your referees are able and willing to give enthusiastic support for your application and that they have adequate time to write their letters. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all elements of the application are submitted in time, including letters of reference.