Intermediality PhD
Awards: PhD
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Programme website: Intermediality
Doctorate-level study is an opportunity to make an original, positive contribution to research in Intermediality.
As the first UNESCO World City of Literature, home of the Edinburgh International Festival and a major cultural hub, Edinburgh is the ideal place for the study of intermediality, that is, the interrelations between different art forms and their signification.
In the course of your research, you will explore interactions between different media. For instance, you can choose to focus on the relationship between:
- literature and photography
- film and the other arts
- word and image
- literature and performance
Our programme draws on the expertise of staff from across the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC). Literature and the arts have been taught here for over 250 years, and our research expertise covers a broad range of intermedial phenomena such as:
- the graphic novel
- film adaptation
- video games
- photo-literature
- cinematic intermediality
- modern screen cultures
The PhD Intermediality is based in the Department of European Languages and Cultures (DELC). In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research in DELC was submitted in Modern Languages and Linguistics. The results reaffirm Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities - third in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research in Modern Languages and Linguistics alone, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.
Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of knowledgeable and well-published supervisors. As well as European literature, film, visual culture, theatre and performance we have particular strengths in literature and the arts from East Asia, South America, Lusophone Africa, and the Middle East, and literature written in English from around the world.
Across the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures and the wider University, we are able to support PhD theses crossing boundaries between languages and/or disciplines, including:
- Film Studies
- Comparative Literature
- Theatre Studies
- Adaptation Studies
- Word and Image Studies
Over the course of your PhD, you’ll be expected to complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of your supervisors leading to a dissertation of usually between 80,000 and 100,000 words.
You will be awarded your doctorate if your thesis is judged to be of an appropriate standard, and your research makes a definite contribution to knowledge.
This programme includes optional training on research skills, methods and problems.
Between the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), the Careers Service and the Institute for Academic Development (IAD), you will find a further range of programmes and resources to help you develop your postgraduate skills.
You will also have access to the University’s fantastic libraries, collections and worldwide strategic partnerships.
Join in
As part of our research community, you will be immersed in a world of knowledge exchange, with lots of opportunities to share ideas, learning and creative work.
Activities range from talks by visiting speakers and work-in-progress seminars, to reading groups, conferences, workshops, performances, online journals and forums, many of which are led by PhD candidates.
Our graduates tell us that they value LLC’s friendliness, the connections they make here and the in-depth guidance they receive from our staff, who are published experts in their field.
On campus
The Main University Library holds academic books, journals and databases, films, newspapers and other media.
Its Centre for Research Collections brings together:
- more than 400,000 rare books
- six kilometres of archives and manuscripts
- thousands of works of art, historical musical instruments and other objects
Many of our Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, Computing Labs, and dedicated PhD study space in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).
In the city
As a PhD candidate at Edinburgh, you’ll be based in a world-leading festival city with fantastic libraries, cinemas, theatres, galleries, museums, and other collections.
Many of the city’s resources are located close to the University's Central Area, making them very easy to access when you are on campus. For example, both the National Museum and National Library of Scotland are less than one km from our School. The latter is particularly strong in French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish material.
We have excellent links with Edinburgh’s European institutions, including the Institut français, Istituto Italiano di Cultura Edimburgo and the Consulado General de España en Edimburgo, as well as the organisers of the International, Fringe, Book and Film Festivals.
These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.
A UK masters degree, or its international equivalent, in a related subject.
If you intend to undertake aspects of the programme in any languages other than English, you should be competent in those languages.
We may also consider your application if you have equivalent qualifications or experience; please check with the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) before you apply.
English Language Requirements
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
English Language Tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | PhD Intermediality | 3 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees |
| PhD | PhD Intermediality | 6 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: llc.PGResearch@ed.ac.uk
- School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
- 50 George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LH
- Programme: Intermediality
- School: Literatures, Languages & Cultures
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
PhD Intermediality - 3 Years (Full-time)
PhD Intermediality - 6 Years (Part-time)
If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
You must submit two references with your application.
Pre-application guidance
Before you formally apply for this PhD, you should look at the pre-application information and guidance on our website.
This will help you decide if this programme is right for you, and help us gain a clearer picture of what you hope to achieve.
The guidance will also give you practical advice for writing your research proposal – one of the most important parts of your application.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: llc.PGResearch@ed.ac.uk
- School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
- 50 George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LH
- Programme: Intermediality
- School: Literatures, Languages & Cultures
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences