- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Duration
- 3 Year [Full-time], 6 Years [Part-time]
- Entry requirements
-
- a Bachelor’s (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above, or its overseas equivalent; and
- a Master’s degree in a relevant subject, with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55%, or the overseas equivalent.
Strong relevant professional experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- How to apply
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Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.
Application Deadlines
For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 11 January 2027.
If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self funding, you must submit your application before the below deadlines to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these dates have passed.
- For September 2026 entry: 30 June 2027
- For January 2028 entry: 30 September 2027
Programme options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Y | Y | N | N |
Programme overview
- Undertake advanced interdisciplinary research into the systems, structures and transformations shaping the creative and cultural industries.
- Explore areas including creative labour and inequalities, digital transformation and AI, cultural policy, intellectual property, cultural leadership and global creative economies.
-
Benefit from specialist supervision and Manchester’s extensive creative and cultural ecosystem, with opportunities to engage with research networks and cultural organisations across the city and beyond.
Open days
Humanities PGR Open Week 2026
Find out what it's like to undertake a PhD at the University of Manchester. Join our Humanities PGR Open Week sessions (21 - 28 October) to meet researchers, explore funding and support, and get expert guidance on the application process.
Scholarships/sponsorships
There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.
To apply for University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including AHRC NWCDTP is 11 January 2027
.
All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting the funding application form and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.
You will need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor for a number of our scholarships. Therefore, we highly recommend you discuss these funding opportunities with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and ensure you meet nomination deadlines.
For more funding information, visit out funding page
or our funding database
to search for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- Contact name
- Humanities Doctoral Academy Admissions
- Telephone
- +44(0)161 275 1200 OPTION 1
- HUMS.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: About us
Programmes in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.