Film and Television Studies (MA)

at University of Warwick

The Department of Film and Television Studies at Warwick is regarded as one of the finest in the world and offers an unparalleled training in audio-visual literacy, an increasingly valuable attribute in today’s world.

Our MA in Film and Television Studies is not the same as Media Studies, Communications Studies or Journalism Studies. We offer modules which make more use of the kinds of methodologies employed in the study of English Literature, History and Art History rather than those practised in the sociological analysis of communications industries. This is a theoretical course and we do not offer any training in the skills of practical filmmaking.

Drawing on the internationally recognised expertise of our academics, primarily in the areas of Film and Television aesthetics, history and theory, this course enables you to familiarise yourself with key disciplinary issues and topics, and to prepare for application for PhD, if desired.

Later in the course, you have the opportunity to focus on an area of personal academic interest in your final dissertation.
 

Core modules

Screen Cultures and Methods

This core module aims to explore significant methodologies and conceptual frameworks which are central to the study of audio-visual media. The module will engage with issues concerning: textual analysis, theoretical paradigms and the historiography of film and then television.

The module provides a grounding in key concepts and methods, but will also encourage an advanced level of reflection on the key areas addressed. The module is taught through a combination of screenings, presentations, reading and discussion.

Dissertation

The core dissertation module provides training and supervision for independent study, leading to a 15,000 word written project.

Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• Cities and Landscapes in Film
• Ecocinema
• Film Cultures
• Film and Social Change
• Film Criticism, Film Style
• History and Memory in Italian Cinema
• Horror and the Gothic
• Irony in Film
• Issues in Documentary
• Postcolonial Film
• Sound Cultures
• Swedish Cinema
• Global Visions
• Television History and Aesthetics
   

Minimum requirements

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in an adjacent subject.

All applicants are asked to provide us with a sample piece of written work of around 1,500-3,000 words (preferably, though not necessarily, on a film/TV-related subject) and a short (c. 200-300 words) description of the kind of research topic(s) they would be interested in studying for the mandatory 15,000 word dissertation undertaken by our students on the MA in Film and Television Studies.

For a speedier decision on your application, we advise you to provide us with these supplementary documents when you apply and the documents can be uploaded to your application.

English language requirements

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
   

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.
 

Graduates have pursued roles such as: arts officers, producers and directors; authors, writers and translators and research and development managers.

Our graduates have gone on to work for employers including: StudioCanal, Fox Searchlight, All 4 and numerous academic appointments at UK and International universities.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Working in Radio Film and TV
• Discovering Careers in the Creative Industries
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Planning your future
• Creating your Creative Career