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University of California-Berkeley · Department of Film & Media

PhD in Film & Media

PhDDoctor of Philosophy in Film & MediaFully funded (conditions apply)

Overview

A research PhD in film and media history and theory, admitting students for fall only; an M.A. is awarded along the way after coursework and a written examination. Admitted students receive a five-year funding package covering tuition, fees and health insurance, with fellowship or Graduate Student Instructor support and summer support.

Official program name
PhD in Film & Media
Awarded degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Film & MediaPhD · Doctor of Philosophy
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
School
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Location
Berkeley, CA
Delivery
On campusClasses, workshops and productions meet in person on campus.
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Required attendance
Regular campus attendanceStudents attend classes on campus throughout the program.
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Study intensity
Full-time
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Duration
Five years (10 semesters) funded period
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Required credits
M.A. stage: 24 units of coursework
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Start
Fall
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Fields of study

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

Research doctorate in film and media history, theory and criticism.

Source: filmmedia.berkeley.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
Research competence in one language other than English before the Qualifying Examination
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Dissertation

DissertationDissertation following an approved prospectus; students present a chapter at the department's Spring RRR Week conference.

Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Examinations

  • Written M.A. examination in Film & Media Theory and Historiography in August before Semester 3; Qualifying Examination by the end of Year 3.
    Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
  • Qualifying Examination in three fields: Film & Media Theory, Film & Media Historiography and an interdisciplinary Outside Field.
    Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Teaching opportunities

Production projects

  • The program includes opportunities to integrate digital-media production but is not primarily a production degree.
    Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Faculty listed by the program

  • Nicholas Baer — Associate Professor of Film & Media and German
  • Weihong Bao — Professor of Film and Media, comparative media history and theory
  • Rizvana Bradley — Associate Professor of Film & Media
  • Natalia Brizuela — Professor of Film & Media and Spanish & Portuguese
  • Iggy Cortez — Assistant Professor of Film & Media
  • Jacob Gaboury — Associate Professor of Film & Media
  • Katerina Korola — Assistant Professor of Film & Media
  • Miryam Sas — Department Chair, Professor of Comparative Literature and Film & Media
  • Nicole Starosielski — Professor, Film & Media
  • Kristen Whissel — Professor of Film & Media

As listed on the program's official page on October 12, 2026. Listing does not mean a faculty member is teaching or supervising new students in a given year.

Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

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 sampleRequiredScholarly writing sample of no more than 30 pages; may be an excerpt from a longer work.Length: up to 30 pagesSource: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Other requirements

Prior degree
RequiredBachelor's degree or recognized equivalent completed before enrollment; a master's degree is not required
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Minimum GPA
RequiredSatisfactory academic record, usually a minimum GPA of 3.0
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Statement of purpose
RequiredStatement of Purpose (about 500-1,000 words is generally sufficient)
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Personal statement
RequiredPersonal History Statement
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Recommendation letters
Required3 letters — Three letters of recommendation
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Application fee
Required$135 — $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents; $155 for all other applicants; fee waivers available
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Transcripts
RequiredUnofficial academic records from every postsecondary institution attended
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Tests

GRE General Test
Not required
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
TOEFL iBT
RequiredOnly for applicants required to show English proficiency; TOEFL or IELTS per Graduate Division rules
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Duolingo English Test
Not requiredNot accepted
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.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 — Graduate: Academic tuition (residents and nonresidents)From the school's rate table for this level$6,861per semester · 2026-2027Source: registrar.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Out-of-state — Nonresident Supplemental Tuition, Graduate: Academic (in addition to tuition)From the school's rate table for this level$7,551per semester · 2026-2027Source: registrar.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Mandatory institutional fees

Student Services Fee (graduate)
$672 per semesterMandatory
Source: registrar.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Berkeley Campus Fee (graduate)
$904.75 per semesterMandatory
Source: registrar.berkeley.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

Tuition coverage and a stipend are offered to all admitted students, subject to conditions the program publishes (for example satisfactory progress). “Fully funded” never means every personal or production expense is covered. How we classify funding

Fully funded (conditions apply)

Funding guarantee
Students admitted to the PhD receive a five-year funding package.
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tuition coverage
The package covers tuition, required fees and student health insurance.
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Stipend
Fall and spring support through fellowship funding or Graduate Student Instructor employment; summer support included.
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Years guaranteed
Five years (10 semesters).
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Renewal conditions
Continued support depends on satisfactory academic progress and meeting program and appointment requirements.
Source: filmmedia.berkeley.edu · verified October 12, 2026

Named scholarships, assistantships and production grants

Sources and verification

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages below. Last verified October 12, 2026.
  1. filmmedia.berkeley.edu/graduate-program/admissions-faq — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  2. filmmedia.berkeley.edu/graduate-program/graduate-admissions — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  3. filmmedia.berkeley.edu/graduate-program/student-financial-support-and-employment — Official funding / aid page, verified October 12, 2026
  4. filmmedia.berkeley.edu/graduate-program/timeline-requirements — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  5. filmmedia.berkeley.edu/people/faculty — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  6. filmmedia.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-program — Official program page, verified October 12, 2026
  7. registrar.berkeley.edu/tuition-fees/fee-schedule/ — Official catalog / bulletin, verified October 12, 2026

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