Practice-led PhD

If you want to pursue your chosen area of research through practice, we offer supervision for practice-led PhDs, particularly in the fields of film studies and translation studies.

You will produce a body of work which demonstrates an original contribution to knowledge and scholarship. This will comprise a substantial creative practice that you will produce during your degree, which displays critical understanding and is worthy of public presentation or publication. This could take the form of videographic film criticism or your own translation work, for example.

You will also produce a written submission, through which you will explore your research questions(s) and will indicate how the these can be evidenced by your practice.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for PhD study is a 2:1 undergraduate honours degree, which can be supplemented by a relevant Masters degree or professional experience. A Masters degree isn’t a requirement but your application is seen more favourably if you have one. 

Final submission

Your practice-led work will normally be submitted as a digital file or set of files. However, your final submission can also include a screening or a reading (for example) if appropriate. 

You will also create an accompanying text of 50,000 to 60,000 words, which will represent the theoretical component of the PhD and will provide both the relevant context and a critical commentary.

A permanent record of your exhibition and the preceding works and theoretical reflections must meet the University's library and archiving requirements.

Fees and funding

We offer a number of funding opportunities for postgraduate researchers. 

How to apply

As part of the application process, you will be required to submit with the online applications form:

• a research proposal with a provisional bibliography;
• an online portfolio of practice-led work;
• two academic references;
• transcripts;
• proof of English language ability (if applicable);
• a CV and degree certificates.

More information is available on our ‘how to apply’ section.

Further information

If you have any questions about the practice-led PhD in LCS, contact ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk.