PhD Studentship: Creative Industries PhDs

University of Surrey - School of Arts, Humanities, and Creative Industries

The School of Arts, Humanities, and Creative Industries is delighted to announce four PhD studentships awards for outstanding postgraduate researchers. These awards are designed to support innovative and impactful research that aligns with our strategic priorities in the Creative Industries.

We invite PhD proposals in Literature, Music and Media, and Applied Theatre, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary projects or those that foster collaboration across these areas. We also welcome proposals from other Creative Industries fields, including film, digital media, cultural studies, and creative writing.

We especially welcome projects addressing the following areas but applications need not be limited to these topics:

Literature: women’s writing (medieval to Victorian), medieval romance, Romanticism, Victorian studies, Modernism, travel and mobility, Western and global esotericisms, sexuality and queer theory, postmodern/contemporary fiction, transnational literature, and cross-media work (film/adaptation, creative writing, literature across media). Learn more about supervisors here.

Music and Media:Musicology (both classical and popular music) and music history; composition and sound art; electronic and experimental music; music education; music performance studies; music psychology; practice-research; video game design; games user experience. Learn more about supervisors here.

In Applied Theatre, research may explore theatre as a tool for social, educational, and community engagement. Topics might include participatory theatre, musical theatre, theatre for social change, therapeutic practices, or applications in education and healthcare. Details of prospective supervisors in this area are available here.

Projects should aim to foster collaboration and contribute to understanding the arts' social, cultural, and technological impact.

Please note that PhD researchers on these studentships will have the opportunity to develop and enhance their employability and professional skills through paid roles connected to teaching and contributing to the wider research culture within their School. While participation is optional, these experiences are strongly encouraged as valuable for career development.

Entry requirements

Open to any UK or international candidates. Starting in July 2026.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our relevant PhD programmes.

How to apply

Once you have discussed your project with a prospective supervisor, you will need to make an application for a place on a postgraduate research programme. Please browse our course listings for a relevant programme. You can apply for a place by clicking the ‘apply now’ button on the relevant course page.

Funding

Fully and directly funded opportunities. Funding includes Home or International fees for 42 months and UKRI standard stipend which is currently £20,780 for 2025/26 academic year. Funded by Faculty of Arts, Business, and Social Sciences.

Enquiries

Contact for enquiries:
Dr Femi Adeyemi-Ejeye (Music & Media), Dr Carl Thompson (Literature and Languages) & Prof Robert Shaughnessy (GSA)