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Harvard University · Film and Visual Studies (Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies)

PhD in Film and Visual Studies

PhDDoctor of Philosophy in Film and Visual StudiesFully funded (all admitted)

Overview

A research PhD on the theory and history of moving images and media in relation to the visual arts, with a written dissertation pathway and a dissertation-with-artistic-practice pathway; Harvard Griffin GSAS guarantees five years of funding to PhD students.

Official program name
PhD in Film and Visual Studies
Awarded degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Film and Visual StudiesPhD · Doctor of Philosophy
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
School
Harvard University — Film and Visual Studies (Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies)
Location
Cambridge, MA
Delivery
On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Required attendance
Regular campus attendanceStudents attend classes on campus throughout the program.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Study intensity
Full-time
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Duration
Five to six years (expected timetable)
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Required credits
Not verified

Fields of study

FieldClassificationEvidence
Film StudiesDedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field.Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Why this degree is listed

PhD in Film and Visual Studies; research on the theory and history of film and media.

Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

We list verified film degrees only — no certificates, workshops or generic degrees with a few film electives. Eligibility rules

Research, dissertation and faculty

Language requirements
Advanced reading knowledge of one foreign language relevant to the program of study.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Residency
Two years of full-time enrollment minimum.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Dissertation

DissertationWritten research dissertation, or dissertation with artistic practice (studio art, film/video or intermedia).

Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Published areas of study

  • At least 14 courses by the end of the second year, including the required AFVS 272 Proseminar.
    Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Other

  • Dissertation with Artistic Practice pathway (since 2024) for students with a substantial film or studio practice.
    Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Language requirements

  • Advanced reading knowledge of one foreign language relevant to the program of study.
    Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Faculty listed by the program

Faculty list: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

Admissions

Each submission item is shown exactly as the school states it. Anything not listed is not verified — never “not required”.

Portfolio and submission materials

MaterialStatusInstructions as published
Academic writing sampleRequiredCritical (not creative) writing sample of 15-20 pages on film, performance and/or visual studies.Length: 15–20 pagesSource: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Other requirements

Minimum GPA
RecommendedAn average of no lower than A- in courses related to film and visual studies.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Statement of purpose
RequiredStatement of purpose naming faculty who could support the dissertation research.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Personal statement
RequiredPersonal statement.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Other requirement
RecommendedStrong language background strengthens the application.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Tests

GRE General Test
Optional
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness. Build an application checklist

Deadlines

Dates are shown with the year and intake the school printed. A past date is marked passed and is never carried into a new cycle.

Tuition and fees

Each amount keeps its applicant category, academic year and basis. Per-credit, per-year and whole-program figures are not comparable with each other. Production costs are listed separately above.
CategoryAmountBasis and year
All students — Full tuition, required for the first two years (PhD students may receive tuition grants)From the school's rate table for this level$59,048per academic year · 2026-2027Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

These are the published rates. The program also states tuition coverage for funded students — see Funding below for what is covered.

Funding

The program states that every admitted student receives tuition coverage and a stipend for the normal length of the program. “Fully funded” never means every personal or production expense is covered. How we classify funding

Fully funded (all admitted)

Funding guarantee
Guaranteed funding for the first five years to all PhD students.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tuition coverage
Tuition and health program fees paid in full for G1-G4 and the dissertation completion year.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Years guaranteed
Full support for a minimum of five years: years G1-G4 plus the dissertation completion year.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Assistantship duties
Living support in G1-G4 combines stipend, teaching fellowships and/or research assistantships.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Renewal conditions
Most programs guarantee an additional year of tuition and fee support after the fourth year; living support that year is sought by the student.
Source: gsas.harvard.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Sources and verification

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages below. Last verified October 12, 2026.
  1. gsas.harvard.edu/apply/cost-attendance-2026-2027 — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 12, 2026
  2. gsas.harvard.edu/financial-support/funding-and-aid — Official funding / aid page, verified October 12, 2026
  3. gsas.harvard.edu/financial-support/funding-and-aid/phd-degree-funding-0/support-humanities-and-socia — Official funding / aid page, verified October 12, 2026
  4. gsas.harvard.edu/policy/film-and-visual-studies — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  5. gsas.harvard.edu/program/film-and-visual-studies — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026

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