Postgraduate research in Culture, Heritage and Society

Help to enrich local, national and international communities through research by joining a team of expert researchers in the field of Culture, Heritage and Society. Using creative practices and top-flight facilities, you can help to lead research in the arenas of regeneration of cities, social justice, philosophy, tourism, film and media production, augmented and virtual realities, theatre and drama, music, history and archaeology.

Table showing MPhil/PhD subjects in Culture, Heritage and Society, with locations and modes of study
SubjectLocationMode of Study
Art and Design On campus Full time, part time
Film, Media and Music On campus Full time, part time
Film, Theatre and Music On campus Full time, part time
Film, Theatre and Music Distance learning Part time
History and Archaeology On campus, distance learning Full time, part time
Humanities On campus, distance learning Full time, part time
Humanities by Published Work Distance learning Full time
Sociology and International Relations On campus, distance learning Full time, part time
Social Sciences On campus Full time, part time

Ready-to-go research projects

In addition to offering supervision for a project that you propose, we also have a list of ready to go PhD projects designed by our experts, which means that the research proposal is already written.

View all projects

Speak to the Graduate School about postgraduate research.

Our researchers

World renowned in their fields, our researchers are here to support you through every step of your research career.

Professor Carola Boehm

Professor

Having degrees both from the arts (music) as well as the sciences (electrical engineering, computer science) I am a genuine interdisciplinarian.

Carola's profile

Professor Neil Brownsword

Professor

Prof. Brownsword is an artist, researcher and educator. His research into the legacy of deindustrialisation in relation to North Staffordshire's ceramic industry, has had national and international cultural impact.

Neil's profile

Dr Sharon Coleclough

Senior Lecturer

Sharon works across all areas of film and media production, focusing upon specialisms in sound design, editing, acting and performance in film. She is an active researcher with international publications on lighting, sound and representation in film.

Sharon's profile

Dr Marc Estibeiro

Associate Professor

Marc is the Course Leader for MA Music Production and teaches computer sound, advanced Pro Tools techniques, modern composition and music software design.

Marc's profile

Dr Agata Lulkowska

Associate Professor

Dr Agata Lulkowska is a Senior Lecturer in Film Production in the Department of Film, Media and Journalism. Agata’s background is in film practice, installations and photography.

Agata's profile

Dr Mark Mckenna

Associate Professor

Dr Mark McKenna is a lecturer in Film, Television & Radio. His teaching is focused on the theoretical and critical underpinnings of film production and draws upon his research which is focused on the film and media industries.

Mark's profile

Dr Dave Payling

Associate Professor

Dave is an audio-visual artist who holds a PhD in composition. His primary research focus is Electronic Visual Music and he teaches composition, audio-visuals and mastering at undergraduate and post-graduate levels

Dave's profile

Dr Andrew Stubbs-Lacy

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Andrew Stubbs is Senior Lecturer of Film Industries and Studies in the Department of Creative Industries where he leads on the critical, contextual and employability strands and produces high-quality research into the screen media industries.

Andrew's profile

Professor David Webb

Professor

David is the course leader for Continental Philosophy. His expertise includes Modern European Philosophy, especially phenomenology, and French epistemology and philosophy of science (Heidegger, Levinas, Foucault, Serres, Bachelard, Cavaill&egrav…

David's profile

Dr David White

Senior Lecturer

Course leader for PhDs. Senior lecturer in Computer Games Programming – 3D graphics programming and AI.

David's profile

Dr Patrick O'Connor

Associate Professor

Patrick is an associate professor of Philosophy . His main area of interest is European Philosophy. He writes about philosophy, film and literature

Patrick's profile

Steve Hollyman

Senior Lecturer

I am a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing (Fiction) with an interest in experimental ergodic literature – both print and digital.

Steve's profile

Dr Mark Brown

Course Director

As well as being Course Leader for English and Creative Writing, Mark teaches on First Year core modules and American literature modules on Crime Fiction, the Contemporary, Modernism and Beat Writing. He also supervises MA and PhD students.

Mark's profile

Dr Melanie Ebdon

Senior Lecturer

Melanie is a literary critic whose main expertise is in contemporary fiction, particularly British novels which focus on nature and climate change.

Melanie's profile

Dr Philippa Holloway

Senior Lecturer

Philippa is an author and active researcher in prose fiction (short stories and novels) and creative non-fiction. Her research interests include psychogeography, nuclear landscapes, creative processes and methodologies and creative pedagogy.

Philippa's profile

Facilities

As a postgraduate research student, you'll have access to all of our specialist facilities, and the expertise of our technicians, to help your research succeed.

Support and funding

Study options

Our postgraduate research students work on their research in a range of different modes to fit around their work and life commitments – you might be on campus as a full-time or part-time researcher, or you may be studying as a Distance Learner. Your preferred option will be discussed as you go through your research proposal with your potential supervisory team.

Browse study options

Fees and funding

Before you start your application, it's important to consider how you will fund your studies and cover living costs. There are lots of options available to postgraduate students to help support your work, which is why we have put together a detailed guide explaining the costs involved in postgraduate study, and the help that's available to pay for it.

Explore the funding options

How you will be supported

The Graduate School works centrally to support you as a postgraduate researcher by listening, providing development opportunities, managing your journey, and acting as a gateway to pastoral support as you require. 

Visit the Graduate School


How to apply

Interested in researching in the field of Culture, Heritage and Society? You will need to go through our application process. This is to ensure we can meet your specific needs and support your research topic.

Start your postgraduate career by completing our MPhil/PhD enquiry form. We’ll put you in touch with a member of staff to have an informal conversation about your proposed research and qualifications.

 

 

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021