Film Studies MA

Course overview

This course combines the theory and history of cinema with the study of the industry and artistic practices that inform filmmaking. It gives you the opportunity to explore your interests in film history, global cinema, contemporary film, and cinema’s key role in modern society. We take a world cinematic approach to film that speaks to the University's commitment to decolonisation and global citizenship. We have particular expertise in videoessay production and festival curating.

Through the core module (Film Arts and Industries), you’ll be acquainted with the theoretical, historical and cultural approaches to the medium of film and institution of cinema, and you’ll investigate the variety of skills and activities around film as an art, as well as cinema as an industry.

The independent project will allow you to specialise in your own interests in a way that will serve your intellectual and creative aspirations and career goals. Working with a specialist academic, you can choose to write a dissertation based on research into a film/cinema topic, or you can choose to combine a shorter dissertation with a creative or practice-based activity appropriate to your interests and skills.

The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies also offers scholarship and funding opportunities.

Leeds and Film

Both Leeds and neighbouring Bradford have longstanding traditions in the promotion of cinema and have more recently taken the lead in the promotion of local digital culture. Leeds hosts a major international film festival every autumn and boasts a historic art-house cinema, the Hyde Park Picture House. The National Media Museum (formerly the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television) is in nearby Bradford, which also houses the National New Media Collection.

Watch a playlist of videos showcasing the film expertise of our staff and researchers at Leeds

Course details and modules

You’ll benefit from the expertise of staff from across our large and diverse Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures, approaching the study of film and cinema from a wide range of perspectives.

You’ll be equipped with the tools of film theory and history and will develop a critical awareness of technical aspects of the making, curation and distribution of films on this distinctive course. Your critical and creative thinking abilities and intellectual agility will be developed, as this course will cultivate skills and expertise in the design and implementation of independent projects.

A core module and an independent project draw on the unique range of expertise in the nine schools of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures.

You’ll further focus or diversify your interests, as this course is enriched by an evolving catalogue of optional modules taught by experts. All of your teaching will be informed by cutting-edge research, as Leeds has some of the world’s top scholars in film and cinema.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Film Studies MA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

You’ll benefit from a variety of learning and teaching styles. Your tutors are experts in their fields, so you’ll be able to benefit from their knowledge in lectures, small-group seminars, practical workshops and supervision meetings.

Independent learning is an important element of your studies, allowing you to build your research skills and think critically about the range of different sources you can access. We offer plenty of support on everything from choosing your modules to making the most of our excellent library resources. We also support in the form of bespoke academic literacies seminars, which run alongside your compulsory module Film Arts and Industries.

You’ll have regular opportunities to provide feedback on teaching, course content and what can be improved. You’ll be introduced to a range of literature, films and approaches. You’ll participate in inclusive safe spaces for critically engaged discussions on sensitive topics, such as gender, race, sexuality, politics - and their representation in film.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a varied range of assessment forms, including standard academic essays, video essays, literature reviews and independent projects. You may be assessed on the production of real-world resources, such as podcasts and film exhibitions, if appropriate to your skills and interests.

Certain optional modules also give you the opportunity to complete reflective logs and creative writing exercises as well as oral presentations.

Applying

Entry requirements

You’ll need a bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification, preferably in a Film Studies related degree, specialising in one of the following subjects indicated under 'Film Studies related subjects’.

We will also consider applicants with relevant experience, an interest in film studies, or coming from an area of expertise to which film studies is complementary such as the ones listed under ‘Other areas’.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines so please do not hesitate to apply if your subject is not listed.

All applicants will be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form to explain why you wish to study this particular course and your career plans. Relevant professional experience may also be considered. We may request additional documentation to inform our decision.

Film Studies related subjects

• Film
• Television
• Media
• Art and design
• Craft and design
• Cultural studies
• Digital design/arts
• Drama and theatre
• Fine arts
• Interactive media design
• Literature studies
• Media and communications
• Photography

Other areas

• Game design
• Graphic design
• History
• Languages
• Multimedia design
• Psychology
• Sociology

International

Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.

You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you intend to apply for funding, we advise you to submit an application for your chosen course as early as possible and at least one month before any scholarship deadline.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you'll need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying (please submit an official English translation where the original is not in English)
• Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form
• A full up-to-date CV
• Any previous UK CAS, visa and BRP documents if you’re an international applicant who has previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4/ Student Visa

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Personal Statement Requirements

Please summarise your reasons for applying to this particular programme of study. Your response can include details of your previous study/work experience relevant to the programme and career ambitions. Your response can provide us with important information on your suitability for the course, so please complete carefully.

Please explain why you have chosen to apply for this Masters course at the University of Leeds by answering the following questions in separate numbered paragraphs:

• What areas of this course particularly interest you and why? Have you studied these before? Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular Masters course
• Why do you want to study this course at Leeds? Please comment on aspects such as available resources at the University and in the city, research specialisms within the school or academics you would like to work with.
• What potential themes have you considered for dissertation research?
• How will studying for this course help you to achieve your longer term goals?
• Why do you see this course as a particularly valuable subject to study?
• What skills and experience do you have that have prepared you for this course? You may like to give details of any final year work/projects you have previously undertaken, relevant work experience etc.

Relevant work experience might include: film, TV, radio, photography, performing and visual arts, design (graphic).

Next Steps

Where further information to support the assessment of your application is needed, we may ask for a recent sample of written work.

We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

Support for part-time and mature learners

The Lifelong Learning Centre provides support for mature and part-time learners across the University, including advice on how to apply to university and support throughout your studies.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies

Contact us

Taught Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: lcspg@leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £12,500 (Total)

International: £28,000 (Total)

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Find out more about Funding and Scholarships.

Career opportunities

Upon graduation, your prospects for employment in the film and media and creative sectors will be enhanced, as well as your capacity for creative self-employment. This course will offer you a route to postgraduate research, including doctoral study, and you will also be well-placed to develop careers in education in a context of growing demand for specialist film and media educators in many parts of the world.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.