Course content
Career Prospects
Introduction
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability.
Employment after the Course
For further information on career development opportunities at PhD level please contact the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Career Development Team on ahssdevoffice@qub.ac.uk / +44 28 9097 5175
People teaching you
Dr Derek Johnston
Lecturer
SAEL
Research focuses on non-naturalistic and historical genres across media; media and time; media history; nostalgia. Member of the Centre for Public History, Queen’s University Belfast and the International Gothic Association.
Dr Elena Caoduro
Lecturer
SAEL
Research focuses on mediated memory and nostalgia, representations of terrorism in film and TV, and the relationship between gender and popular culture.
Dr Jasbeer Musthafa Mamalipurath
Lecturer
SAEL
Research focuses on media and the Global South, disinformation, media religion and culture
Dr John D’Arcy
Lecturer
SAEL
Research focuses on practical research / creative projects in areas of sound art, performance, digital media, digital art, voice, immersive media and interdisciplinary practice.
Mr Frank Delaney
Senior Lecturer
SAEL
Research focuses on the practice of documentary production, radio and podcasting.
Ms Gabriella Matthews
Senior Lecturer
SAEL
Research focuses on the practice of digital media, documentary production, immersive media, journalism, radio and podcasting.
Learning Outcomes
A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field. Undertaking a research degree can enhance a student’s written and oral communication skills and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.
Course structure
There is no specific course content as such, as the specific elements of your studies will depend upon your particular research focus and methodology. You will carry out your research under the guidance of your supervisor, who will aid you in identifying appropriate training and development opportunities.
Over the course of study you can attend postgraduate skills training organised by the Graduate School. This will not only help you to develop skills of specific relevance to your particular research, but also engage with aspects of professionalising your PhD, supporting you as a researcher, an academic, and in a range of potential employment environments.
You will normally register, in the first instance, as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree.
Differentiation takes place about 9 months after registration for full time students and about 18 months for part-time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives.
To complete with a doctoral qualification in the critical practice pathway you will be required to submit a thesis of approximately 80,000 words. For the creative practice pathway, you will submit a significant piece or portfolio of original creative work, together with a substantial reflective essay placing that work into its relevant contexts. In both cases you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.
A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required.
The PhD is open to both full and part-time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or consultancy.
Full-time students are often attracted to research degree programmes because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest.
The part time research degree is an exciting option for professionals who are seeking to extend their knowledge on an issue of professional interest. Often part-time candidates choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities.
If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question needs to engage with the research interests of one of our staff.
Application Process:
Please review the eligibility criteria on the webpages. If you believe that you meet these criteria then follow the steps below:
Select ONE potential supervisor from our list of Academic Staff (http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Connect/Staff/) and send an email containing:
- a brief CV (1-2 pages maximum)
- a concise statement that you are interested in studying for a PhD, stating when you would start, and how you would plan to fund the research
- a brief statement of the research question or interest, and how you think the question could be investigated
Our academic staff welcome approaches from prospective students; staff can liaise with applicants to develop a research proposal of mutual interest. The potential supervisor should get back to you within a couple of weeks. They may invite you to meet with them or they may invite you to apply formally.
For part-time study – the closing date for this option is 31st August each year.
For full-time study (self-funding) – for those full time candidates who do not wish to compete for a studentship or who are not eligible to compete for a studentship the closing date is 31st August each year.
For full-time study and application for a scholarship/award; please be aware that awards are only available to full time students. Candidates wishing to apply for scholarships available within the School must apply for full-time study at the same time. Available scholarships and closing dates are detailed on the School's Scholarships web page: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Study/FundingScholarships/#postgraduate
Assessment
Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually.
This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.
The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis, and any creative component, before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.
Feedback
Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.
Learning and Teaching
This is a research degree
Overview
Learning and Teaching