The PhD in Creative Practice is a practice-led doctoral programme based at the School of International Communications, University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). It is designed for filmmakers, media practitioners, artists, and researchers who wish to develop original creative work, such as films, documentaries, sound pieces, games, virtual production and other digital media projects, together with a written exegesis that critically reflects on the creative process and its contribution to knowledge.

Students will work closely with a multidisciplinary supervisory team with expertise in film, media, sound, postproduction, and game design. The programme combines advanced research training with sustained creative practice, supported by UNNC’s professional facilities including the Virtual Production Studio, TV Studio and Dolby Atmos-standard Sound Studio, as well as partnerships with organisations such as ARRI, Arturia, UNESCO-related projects, Yong Opera collaborations and international film festivals.

The programme is structured around staged progression: initial research and training, development of creative work and exegesis, refinement and public sharing of outputs, and final submission and viva. Creative practice is treated as the core doctoral output, with the exegesis contextualising and analysing the work within relevant theoretical and methodological frameworks.

Who is this programme for?

• Experienced practitioners seeking to deepen research through creative work
• Researchers developing original projects in screen, sound, gaming or immersive media
• Emerging scholars wanting multidisciplinary supervision and access to professional facilities

Special features

• Practice-led doctoral pathway built around creative outputs
• Access to industry-standard production facilities and technologies
• Multidisciplinary supervision across film, media, sound, and digital practice
• Opportunities for collaboration with industry and cultural partners
• Integrated research training tailored to creative methodologies
• Embedded pathways for public dissemination and exhibition

We encourage work that brings together new forms, digital tools, clear thinking, and cultural understanding.

Supervision is available across a range of creative and critical areas. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that combine practice and research in one or more of the following fields (this list is indicative, not exhaustive):

Disciplines / fields

• Film and screen production
• Documentary and non-fiction media
• Digital media and virtual production
• Sound design, music and audio-visual practice
• Game design, game studies and interactive media
• Media, communication and cultural studies
• Intangible cultural heritage and performance

Possible topics

Indicative areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Practice-based film and documentary (fiction, non-fiction, experimental)
• Creative screenwriting and development for film, television and streaming
• Virtual production, immersive and mixed reality work
• Sound design, music-led screen practice, and Dolby Atmos workflows
• Creative practice and Artificial Intelligence in media production
• Digital storytelling and platform-based creative work (short-form video, web series, vodcasts, podcasts)
• Game-based narratives, playable documentaries and interactive environments
• Screen cultures
• Celebrity culture, fan practices and online communities
• Media, race, caste and other structural inequalities in screen and digital cultures
• Creative practice with intangible cultural heritage, folk traditions and performance
• Festival curation, multi-media exhibitions and practice-based research dissemination

Postgraduate Research Director

To discuss your research proposal and possible application, please contact the PGR Director for the School of International Communications, Dr Vikrant Kishore Vikrant.Kishore@nottingham.edu.cn.

All initial enquiries and proposals should be routed through the PGR Director.

Academic and creative background

Applicants will normally be expected to have:

• An honours degree (2.1 or above, or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, and
• A master’s degree at merit level or above in a relevant area (e.g. film, media, communication, digital arts, cultural studies, or related fields).

In assessing applications, the following will be considered:

• Academic performance at undergraduate and postgraduate level
• Evidence of research skills and critical engagement
• Quality and feasibility of the research proposal
• Research potential, independence and attitude to collaborative work
• A creative practice portfolio that demonstrates expertise, originality and technical ability (e.g. films, showreels, scripts, sound work, games, installations or other media projects)
• Any relevant publications or professional practice in media, film, arts or related sectors

Key dates

We welcome qualifying applications all year round. You may consider either a Spring or Autumn entry that better suits your study plan. To ensure you will be able to register on your desired date, please submit your application at least 3 months in advance. 

2026-27 Academic year (for self-funded applicants)

How to apply

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Fees

Tuition fees are adjusted annually and are set for each individual degree. Please follow the Gradaute School's fee information for details.

Scholarships

The School awards a full PhD scholarship once a year. Note that competition for this scholarship is very strong and students are advised to explore additional external sources of funding. Please see the University's PhD scholarships pages for further information. 

PhD Creative Practice Research Proposal Submission Format

Applicants must prepare a proposal of 1,500–2,000 words (excluding references). Applicants may include optional media samples.

1. Working Title

A clear, focused title that reflects both the creative project and the research inquiry.

2. Abstract (150–200 words)

A brief summary outlining the project’s central idea, creative output, research focus, and intended contribution.

3. Research Background and Rationale (max 300 words)

Explain the context of the project, why it matters, what existing work has overlooked, and how your research will address these gaps.

4. Research Questions / Aims (100–150 words)

List the key questions or aims guiding the creative and written components.

5. Literature and Practice Review (500 words)

• Summarise relevant scholarship and creative precedents.
• Show awareness of major debates, influential theorists, and important practitioners.
• Include references to films, sound works, games, installations, or multimedia examples related to your project.
• Identify gaps in both research and creative practice, and explain how your project responds to them.

6. Creative Practice Component (200–300 words)

Describe the proposed creative output, such as:

• Documentary or fiction film
• Short film series
• Interactive or game-based work
• Virtual production project
• Sound design or audio work
• Multi-media installation or exhibition
• Hybrid or mixed-media practice

Specify format, methods, scale, duration, and any planned innovations.

7. Critical and Theoretical Framework (200 words)

Outline the theoretical concepts, analytical lenses, or creative frameworks that will shape your project.

8. Methodology (200 words)

Explain how the creative work and written exegesis will be developed.
Possible approaches include:

• Fieldwork, interviews, or ethnography
• Archival or textual research
• Creative experimentation and practice-led processes
• Production and post-production workflows
• Comparative or analytical strategies

Show how the creative and academic elements inform each other.

9. Timeline (3 years)

Provide a phased plan, including:

• Research and development
• Pre-production
• Production
• Post-production
• Writing the exegesis
• Milestones and presentations
• Final submission and viva preparation

10. Required Resources

List any facilities or specialist needs, such as:

• Virtual production studio
• Film/TV studio
• Editing or grading suites
• Sound studio
• Cameras, software or technical equipment

11. Research Ethics

Identify any ethical considerations, including consent procedures, working with people or communities, data handling, and risk mitigation.

12. References

List all sources cited in the proposal.

Optional Media Samples

Applicants may (but are not required to) submit:

• Showreels (2–5 minutes recommended)
• Links to films, documentaries, sound projects, or interactive media
• Scripts, storyboards, concept notes or pitch decks
• Visual mood boards or design outlines

These materials help the supervisory team understand the applicant’s creative strengths but are not mandatory.