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Our excellence in research

An older man sat in a chair with sunglasses with a younger man behind him holding an alarm clock

100% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies).

Our doctoral community

A row of student actors facing away from the camera holding their arms up, on a theatre stage
We have an active postgraduate research community of around 20 PhD students in the Department.

If you undertake your degree with us you'll also become part of a large, diverse community of doctoral students across the University.
Learn about the wider postgraduate community at Reading

Our teaching opportunities

Two film students standing behind a film camera

We'll support you to develop your teaching skills and gain experience to prepare you for an academic career. We offer opportunities to teach on undergraduate modules and supervise undergraduate projects in the Department.

As a doctoral student at Reading, you can also attend the Doctoral and Researcher College's Preparing to Teach programme at no extra cost.

Mark's PhD story

Black and white close-up of Mark Player, PhD student in the Department of Film, Theatre & Television
I like the interdisciplinary nature of the space; there always seems to be something going on and I find it to be a stimulating environment.

Mark Player, self-funded, part-time PhD researcher and PhD Researcher of the Year Theme Winner

Our postgraduate research groups

We have a number of postgraduate research groups in the Department where students and staff can discuss performances or explore texts in an informal setting. 

The longest-running of these is the Sewing Circle, the Department’s film and television analysis seminar for postgraduate students and staff. 

Sewing Circle meetings involve detailed analysis of a single film or television programme and are an opportunity to think collectively about material relevant to the participants’ individual research. 

It has been running for more than 20 years, and a growing list of books, articles and theses carry acknowledgements to the formative role of Sewing Circle discussions.

A group of students and lecturers sat around in a studio in a group discussion
Even the most enthusiastic praise will fall short of acknowledging the virtues of the Sewing Circle. It teaches us how to carefully look to the grimace of an actor, the exhausted body of a driver, the inadequacy of a specific outfit in a breakfast scene...they are details that nobody may have paid attention to before.

Dr Albert Elduque Busquets, film scholar and former staff member

Albert Education Partnership
Arri Certified Film School
Fest New Directors New Films Festival
Rabble Theatre
Reading Rep Theatre
Resource Productions
South Street Theatre and Venue

Life in the Department

Audience in a theatre watching a performance in progress on the stage

Find out what day-to-day life is like as a PhD student in our Department.

Our industry connections

Stage door sign illuminated yellow outside a theatre.
Benefit from our relationships within the creative industries at local, regional and national levels. 

What's on

As part of our Department you'll have the chance to experience exhibitions, festivals and talks by visiting speakers. Keep up to date with the latest events happening at Minghella Studios via Instagram.

Our activities on Instagram

Our facilities

Minghella Studios is the home of our Department and the hub of our activities. It's a bright, open and flexible collection of spaces that reflects how we teach and explore film, theatre and television.
Minghella Studios