MA Film Studies (Part time)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Course Overview
Are you fascinated by film as an art form? Are you intrigued by the creative possibilities of this medium, as well as its power of representation? Do you want to deepen your understanding of cinema’s history and global influence? Then this MA is for you!
On our MA Film Studies, you’ll explore the social, cultural, political, industrial, historical and aesthetic dimensions of film through a range of global case studies from Hollywood cinema to anime. As well as deepening your understanding of global cinemas, you will be taught by experts in the field of British film.
You’ll benefit from being based at a groundbreaking and world-respected centre for the subject. UEA pioneered the study of the form and remains a leading institution in the field. The MA Film Studies will give you the skills and knowledge to analyse and understand this multi-billion-pound global industry and to explore the ways in which it plays a crucial part in shaping how we understand the world around us.
Whether you’ve studied film and media before or are simply passionate about the field, this MA course will give you the skills to seek a career in the media, arts and related cultural industries or continue on to further study at PhD level.
You’ll jump straight in and explore the history, political significance and aesthetics of a global range of cinema, with teaching from award-winning lecturers and exposure to the most innovative and contemporary thinking.
In the Film, Television and Media Studies department our research and teaching are focused on the relationship between film, television and other media, and the creative and cultural contexts in which they are produced and consumed. We are recognised as a leading centre for the study of British, Hollywood and Asian cinemas, popular film and television genres, media consumption and feminist approaches to media.
Your studies will come to life in a number of different ways. As well as lectures, seminars and film screenings, you’ll have access to our state-of-the-art TV Studio and Media Suite, packed with cutting-edge media technologies including editing suites, cameras, sound equipment, sound studio and a digitisation suite.
We are also home to the extensive East Anglian Film Archive, a unique resource which you can make use of during your time here. And we have close links with the British Film Institute in London and with film festivals and local production companies.
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you’ll get a solid grounding in the fundamentals of film studies including the key theoretical and historical debates which underpin contemporary film studies. The emphasis will be on analysing the primary source material and archival documents that give you access to the complex intersection of debates which underly contemporary British cinema studies.
From this perspective other formative cinematic theories or political perspectives can be explored. The early stages of the Masters course is designed to open up the areas that the university is famed for and there are modules in such areas as British Film, Realism, and Gender and film.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll learn from world-leading academics in many different ways – from the more traditional lectures and seminars to regular film and television screenings. You’ll also have access to our TV Studio and Media Suite, full of cutting-edge media technologies including editing, camera and sound equipment. Prepare to get hands-on with these to develop essential skills for the job market and a deeper understanding of how film and television content is produced.
Assessment
We know that every student has different strengths, so we use a range of individual and group assessment methods – from essays to presentations and assessed discussions. All of these assessments help strengthen your critical thinking and give you skills that are attractive to future employers.
We also use formative assessments, which do not contribute to your overall mark, but prepare you for the assessments that do. These offer an excellent opportunity to test the knowledge you’ve learned in modules, gain specific feedback on your working practices, and strengthen the chances of better marks at the end of them.
Structure
Over the course of the programme, you’ll have the chance to specialise in areas of your choice. Our world-leading scholars teach on modules covering topics such as film and comics, beyond national cinema, and media audiences. Work at Masters level is frequently led by our cutting edge research and you may have the opportunity to experience material informed by the latest developments in film research and theory.
You’ll spend the summer of your second year researching and writing your dissertation. This is your chance to use the knowledge you have been building throughout your MA to develop your own piece of self-devised and self-directed study supported by experts in the field.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
We’ll support you to become a fully independent scholar by the time you submit your dissertation. Up until that point you’ll spend the majority of your time on independent research and reading but this will be guided by your module reading lists and your seminar leaders.
You will work under supervision during your dissertation, and over time you’ll take more and more control over the direction of your study. Your dissertation is your opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the area that you’re most passionate about.
Assessment
Once you reach your second year in the MA programme, you’ll be moving towards even more independence in your assessment. From devising your own research questions for module-specific assessments to devising, developing and completing the extended research project of the dissertation, you will be assessed on your ability to work independently to collate and evaluate a range of materials.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- All subject areas considered
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year
Additional Information or Requirements
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £9,975
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International Students: £21,200
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Our MA Film Studies graduates go on to a wide variety of fields. Some have chosen to work in the film, television and media industries, both in the UK and elsewhere in the world, in roles in production, press and publicity, publishing (newspapers, books and magazines), cultural heritage and archives, social media, and arts festivals. Many also continue their academic passion through PhD study at UEA.
As well as subject-specific knowledge and skills, you will develop many transferable skills, including high-level communication skills, team working, and self-management, all of which open up a wide variety of careers. At our annual event, 'Working with Words', you can meet and hear from a wide variety of successful UEA alumni from across the creative industries.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Film and TV production
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Publicity officer
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Cultural heritage and archives
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Arts festivals
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Social media
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Publishing (books, magazines, newspapers)
Discover more on our Careers webpages.