English and Film Studies BA

Year of entry

Open Days 2023

Register your interest to be notified when bookings open. Register your interest

UCAS code
6T3X
Start date
September 2023
Delivery type
On campus
Duration
3 years full time
Work placement
Optional
Study abroad
Optional
Typical A-level offer
AAB (specific subject requirements)
Typical Access to Leeds offer
BBB at A Level including English and pass Access to Leeds.
Full entry requirements

Course overview

English

This joint honours degree gives you a unique insight into visual and literary culture. You’ll have the chance to explore the richness of English language and literature alongside cinemas from around the world, gaining the critical skills and cultural awareness valued by employers.

Core modules introduce the principles of film studies and different elements of poetry, drama and prose. Then you’ll choose from an impressive variety of optional modules to pursue your interests, from medieval literature to creative writing, aesthetics to gender and sex in cinema.

Offered by the School of English with the Centre for World Cinemas and Digital Cultures, this degree allows you to study two different yet related disciplines in an exciting cultural hub. Leeds is home to the Leeds International Film Festival and great independent cinemas. We’re close to Bradford – home of the National Science and Media Museum as well as another established festival. It’s the perfect part of the world in which to explore these exciting subjects.

Facilities

Leeds has excellent resources for studying both literature and film. As well as the rich cultural life of the city itself, our Language Centre offers an extensive lending library of foreign-language films for students of world cinema. The University Library also houses extensive documents, manuscripts and early printed materials in its Special Collections, which are a valuable resource for your original research.

Take a look around our libraries:

Brotherton Library
Laidlaw Library
Edward Boyle Library

Course details

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the key concepts and movements in film studies while exploring poetry, prose and drama to develop your understanding of literatures in English. You’ll also take a cornerstone module in either world literature or audio-visual culture to help you make connections between your two subjects.

You’ll build on this knowledge in the following year, engaging with critical approaches to world cinemas while gaining an in-depth understanding of key periods in English literary history. You’ll also choose from an array of optional modules to explore different areas of film studies and literature, from Old English to refugee narratives and creative writing, various national cinemas and an exploration of film genres.

In your final year, you’ll choose from more optional modules on anything from postcolonial literature and the digital humanities to the representation of minorities in Hollywood cinema. You’ll also get to demonstrate the critical and research skills that you’ve acquired when you complete an independently researched final year project.

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 English and Film Studies BA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Module Name Credits
Foundations of English Studies 20
Introduction to Film Studies I 20
Introduction to Film Studies II 20

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

Module Name Credits
Modern Fictions in English: Conflict, Liminality, Translation 20
Directing World Cinemas 20

Year 2 compulsory modules

Module Name Credits
Critical Approaches to Screen Studies 20

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Module Name Credits
Shakespeare and Global Cinema 20
African American Narrative: Eight Major Works 20
Film Programming and Exhibition: Curating for Cinemas and Festivals 20
Questioning Genre in World Cinemas 20

Year 3 compulsory modules

Module Name Credits
Current Enquiries into Film Studies 20

Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Module Name Credits
Contemporary Postcolonial Texts 20
Refugee Narratives 20
Hollywood and its Others 20
Cinema in the Digital Era 20

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

This course is offered by the Centre for World Cinemas, home to experts at the forefront of research in Film Studies. Similarly, the School of English is one of the largest research-intensive departments of its kind in the UK. This informs their teaching, and to help you benefit from your tutors’ expertise we use a variety of teaching and learning methods.

These include lectures, seminars, tutorials and occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also an important part of your degree, since it enables you to develop your critical and research skills.

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

We also use different types of assessment. Usually exams and essays will be the most common, but in some modules oral presentations and group work may also be part of the mix. On the Film Studies side, you will undertake critical scene analyses and literature reviews. We offer plenty of support in these cases: extra classes on issues like public speaking, exam technique and structuring essays will be available throughout your time at Leeds.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including A in English (Language, Literature or Language and Literature)

Other course specific tests:

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be ABB at A Level including A in English and grade A in the EPQ.

We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Alternative qualification

Access to HE Diploma

Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. The Access course must include English modules. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required.

BTEC

We will consider the level 3 QCF BTEC at Subsidiary Diploma level and above in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3, M1, M2 including D3 in English.

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall including 16 at Higher Level with 6 in English at Higher Level.

Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in English

Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

AB in Advanced Highers including A in English and AABBB in Highers, or A in English in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers.

Welsh Baccalaureate

The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

Other Qualifications

European Baccalaureate: 80% including 8.5 in English.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level including English and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

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
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £22,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2022/23
For UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 the fee will be £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students for 2023/24 have been agreed by the UK Government and will remain at the current fee level of £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 should be available on individual course pages from September 2022.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

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 about additional costs.

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 is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

This course is taught by

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
School of English

Contact us

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Undergraduate Admissions

Email: lcsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

A degree in English and Film Studies will equip you with a wide range of transferable skills.

You'll be a critical thinker who can research different sources and form conclusions from the information you find. Your communication skills will enable you to explain and defend your views clearly, either verbally or in writing. Because you’ve also gained organisational skills from managing two different subjects, you’ll be attractive to employers in all kinds of industries.

Graduates have gone on to succeed in careers in publishing, law, advertising and marketing, journalism, education, charity work, business and finance and the civil service. Many others have pursued postgraduate studies.

You can read more about the range of careers our English and Film Studies graduates progress into, as well as the support we offer you throughout your degree.

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.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

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 at the Careers website.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.


Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.