PhD Film and Television at University of California, Los Angeles

Programme overview

PhD Film and Television is a doctoral programme in Film, Television, and Digital Media, School of Theater, Film, and Television at UCLA. Areas of study: The program requires that students be conversant in both film and television, and they are tested on each in the comprehensive examination. The degree is awarded by successfully completing course requirements and, by successfully completing a Capstone Project.

Faculty: School of Theater, Film, and Television | Department: Film, Television, and Digital Media | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Areas of study: The program requires that students be conversant in both film and television, and they are tested on each in the comprehensive examination. The degree is awarded by successfully completing course requirements and, by successfully completing a Capstone Project. A minimum of nine courses (36 units) is required, five (20 units) of which must be 200-level courses in film and/or television history, theory, and criticism. Of the five courses, Film and Television 210, 211A or 211B, 213, and 215A or 215B are required core courses. All five of the graduate-level courses must be completed with a grade of B or better.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Application deadline: M.F.A.: November 1, 2026 Animation only: February 1, 2027 M.A., Ph.D.: December 1, 2026. GRE: General Optional for M.F.A., M.A. and Ph.D. applicants. Letters of recommendation: 3. In addition to the University's minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are required to submit the departmental application, statement of purpose and personal statement. No screening examination prior to admission is required. Students are admitted in the Fall Quarter only. Admission is competitive, and only a limited number of students are accepted each year. M.A.: Applicants must submit a sample of scholarly or critical writing of 3,000 - 5,000 words in length. M.F.A.: No screening examination prior to admission is required.

Most graduate departments and schools have deadlines in November and early December for the following fall term.

Graduate application fee: $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all other applicants; deadlines are set by each programme, mostly in November and early December for the following fall.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/steps-to-apply/

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