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PhD Journalism

University of Essex

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University of Essex

Course options

4 options available

  • Qualification

    PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

  • Location

    Colchester Campus

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    01-APR-25

  • Duration

    4 years

Course summary

Our Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies offers supervision for PhD Journalism from our expert academics, covering a range of research interests, including: journalism, public communication and policy in the Middle East and North Africa; media, democracy and democratisation, propaganda, influence and censorship, war reporting, counter-terrorism, the interplay between news media, social media and politics, parliamentary reporting in developing countries and in established democracies.

As well-known and established journalists and scholars, our staff have published in reputable peer reviewed journals and flagship policy platforms as well as in renowned mainstream media organisations.

Assessment

From the first day of your research within our department, we encourage you to plan your work so that you can expect to submit your thesis for examination by the end of three years. Aside from strong financial reasons to do this, it is wise to limit the scale and scope of what you can achieve in a set period. Indeed, to work within limits allowed by the time available is part of the exercise of research itself.

A typical first year of undertaking research within our department would involve developing a statement in which you will define the aims, theories and methods proposed for the thesis, an indicative bibliography, and a timetable for the thesis completion. During this year, you will start collecting your primary and secondary research material according to your chosen topic and timeline.

Your typical second year should involve continuing to investigate and write. In this second year (or the end of your third year, if studying part-time), your first supervisory board of the year will be your Confirmation Board. This will review the evidence to confirm whether you should progress and whether your work is at PhD level. After confirmation of your status, you should undertake further substantial research and writing over the next 12 months.

In a typical third year, you should complete the writing of your draft chapters and move to revise your work into a final version ready for submission.

Your future

Several of our graduates have gone on to undertake successful careers as journalists.

As a research student, you will be able to establish yourself as a scholar, university lecturer, teacher, publisher, publishers’ editor, journalist, media analyst/advisor for governmental, policy and civil society bodies.

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 18,750per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University of Essex

University of Essex

  • University League Table

    30th

  • Campus address

    University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, England

VIEW PROFILE
The careers team offer dedicated international careers advice and support throughout studies and after graduation.
Central London is easily accessible from all of the university's campuses.
Gain access to the curriculum from nine European universities through the YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe) virtual campus.

Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    Communication & Media Studies

    47th out of 91 9

  • Entry standards

    / Max 206
    126 61%

    39th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    70.0 70%

    34th

    4

  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 4
    2.91 73%

    79th

    10

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