Key Information
Duration
- Full-time: 36 months
- Part-time: 72 months (flexible; only for home students)
Start Dates & Application Deadlines
- Starting September 2026 – Apply anytime.
- Starting January 2027 – Apply anytime.
There is no application closing date for this course. International students are advised to apply at least two months before the course starts.
Language
English
English Requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 135
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- PTE Academic: 76
- IELTS: 7
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Disciplines
Journalism, Media Management, Public Relations
Overview
Throughout the Journalism and Public Relations PhD programme from Newcastle University you'll become part of the Media and Cultural Studies team contributing to a vibrant learning community. You'll have access to quality-assured supervision. You'll get opportunities to deliver lectures and produce articles for various media.
They're a leading research unit at Newcastle University with a strong PhD culture. The research environment supports world-leading, internationally excellent scholarship. This approach is distinct and interdisciplinary, focusing across theoretical and applied areas. Visit the programme website for more information
During your studies you'll have the opportunity to:
- present papers at conferences
- write articles for academic journals
- contribute articles to edited collections alongside other publications
Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to enrol on a nationally recognised Teaching in Higher Education qualification. This allows you to host undergraduate and postgraduate seminars.
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Journalism work in transition; the political economy of local media; new understandings of 'local'; widening diversity in the news workforce; journalism education (Dr Murray Dick)
- Social media; intimacy and changing social relationships; changing media technologies and personal life; gender, media and culture (Dr Bethany Usher, Dr Florian Zollmann)
- Public relations; corporate social responsibility; ePR (Dr Mercy Ette)
- Journalism; discourse; ideology; political communication; media theory; national identity; war, politics and propaganda (Prof Darren Kelsey)
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English Requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 135
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- PTE Academic: 76
- IELTS: 7
Other Requirements
- A 2:1 honours degree and preferably a merit master's degree, or an international equivalent.
- To obtain additional information about the program, visit the programme website.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
International: 46,100 AUD / year (≈ 24,400 GBP / year)
Full-time and part-time tuition fees for home students are not set yet.
Living Costs
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom: 1,058–1,872 AUD / month
Funding
Scholarships are available, including:
- Opportunity Scholarships (Newcastle University) – 2,000 GBP, deadline: anytime, merit-based
- Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships (Newcastle University) – 4,000 GBP, deadline: anytime, merit-based
- 2% Early Payment Discount (Newcastle University) – various benefits, deadline: 25 Sep 2026, need-based