Overview

Jointly managed by the Drama department and the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology/Social Anthropology, this Anthropology, Media and Performance programme begins with a year of academic formation and preliminary training in research methods and relevant craft techniques, before you carry out your project on the basis of field research of up to a year's duration.

In the third year, you will be expected to return to Manchester and prepare the presentation of your results in textual or other media, as appropriate.

Career opportunities

As we are an inter-disciplinary department in Drama, our PhD students The University of Manchester work across theatre, film and screen studies, digital humanities, and so on.

The skills gained through the PhD process are wide-ranging and varied. These include critical engagement, investigative thinking, effective communication, project management and reflexive practice.

Several of our graduates have moved on to academic positions in the UK and abroad, including Canada, Iran, and Singapore. Others are working in the arts, education and not-for-profit sectors, as artists, filmmakers, practitioners, teachers, librarians, curators, writers, and editors, and among others!

Accreditation

Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Privy Council, The University of Manchester is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: 35,000-39,999 students) coeducational higher education institution.

Programme Structure

We aim to:

examine potential interdisciplinary combinations of anthropology, applied theatre/performance studies and media production so you can produce original knowledge in one or more of these academic fields;
focus on cutting-edge theories and self-reflexive, critical research practice in all these fields;
train you in a range of practical field research methods and media production skills to enable you to carry out the year-long fieldwork that is an integral and necessary aspect of the second year of the programme, and to produce a combination of written dissertation and media and/or performance practice;
make you aware of the legal and ethical implications of your work and of the appropriate procedures for ensuring ethical clearance of your research;
encourage you to develop a range of transferable skills in areas such as IT and AV media, as well as presentational, writing, team-working and foreign language skills.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months
Part-time
- 72 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-09-23 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-06-30 00:00:00
Starting 2026-01-27 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-09-30 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

7

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PTE Academic

76

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Anthropology Media Studies & Mass Media View 20 other PhDs in Anthropology in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

IELTS

7

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

PTE Academic

76

Schedule a PTE test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Pass IELTS with Swoosh English! Sign up for a free writing masterclass or claim your exclusive 25% Studyportals discount and accelerate your preparation by taking a course designed by experts to get you the results you need.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at The University of Manchester and/or in United Kingdom, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
Master's degree in a relevant subject – with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent)

When you submit your application, you must include each of the below required documents:

A 1,500 word PhD research proposal
Copies of the academic transcript and certificate from both your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. If your Master’s degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
An up to date academic CV, detailing your education and qualifications; employment history; publications; and any other relevant information.
You must nominate two academic referees (including one from your most recent institution).
International applicants must additionally provide English Language evidence (e.g IELTS)

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

21500 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 21500 GBP per year during 36 months.
National

4786 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 4786 GBP per year during 36 months.

Living costs for Manchester

645 - 1197 GBP /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.