Overview

The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh is currently transitioning to a new admissions platform called Liaison (Select "Film Studies-PHD" then choose your area of specialization on another pull-down menu). The portal to accept applications for Fall 2025 admission to the doctoral program in Film and Media Studies should be online and open to applicants sometime in early September. Please note that application deadlines vary according to associated departments, with English having a deadline of December 10, 2024; French having a deadline of January 10, 2025; and History of Art & Architecture and Slavic Languages & Literatures having deadlines of January 15, 2025.

Features

While the student will earn a PhD in Film and Media Studies (granted by the Film and Media Studies Program), he or she will also be a full member of one of five Associated Departments at the University of Pittsburgh (English, French, Hispanic, History of Art and Architecture, or Slavic), fulfilling its requirements (many of which will overlap with those in Film and Media Studies).

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Film History/Theory
The Hollywood Studio System
Film Historiography
Film and Ethnography
Film and Aesthetics
The Body in Cinema
Queer Theory, Queer Cinema
Animation Theory
Global Film Stardom

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 96 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-10 00:00:00

More details

Deadlines vary dependent on the Associated Department:

English: December 10
History of Art/Architecture: January 15
French: January 10
Spanish, Slavic: January 15

Language

English

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Credits

72 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Film Studies Media Studies & Mass Media View 15 other PhDs in Film Studies in United States

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

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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

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Other requirements

General requirements

Completed application form
Personal statement
Transcripts
Three letters of recommendation
International students: evidence of English Language Proficiency

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

43804 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 43804 USD per year during 96 months.
National

43804 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 43804 USD per year during 96 months.
In-State

25834 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 25834 USD per year during 96 months.

Living costs for Pittsburgh

1148 - 1944 USD /month

Living costs

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

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Film and Media Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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