A research degree in Media and Communication Studies gives you the chance to pursue a project based around your own passions and interests, leading to a qualification which can open the door to an academic career or boost employment prospects outside academia (in the private sector, the Civil Service, or education). You will be supervised closely by two experienced academics in your field. Typically, you will meet them fortnightly in the first term and at regular intervals thereafter. Meetings are logged and goals agreed each time. We have expertise in a number of areas: Film studies, in particular European Cinema and Hollywood; Global media and international communication; Digital media and social activism; Migration and communication; Digital media and the history and philosophy of technology; Baudrillard and postmodernism; McLuhan and the Toronto School. The choice of topic is up to you but must be worked out in consultation with your supervisors. It is a good idea to enter discussions before applying and to draw up an initial proposal together. However, all good topics develop over the course of your reading and supervisions and it is likely that you will only slowly gain a clear idea of where you are heading. A thesis of not more than 60,000 words for an MPhil and 90,000 words for a PhD which contributes significantly to the subject area and in the case of PhD is based on original research. This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (viva) by two examiners who are not your supervisors, one of whom is external to the University.