Film and Television Studies (MA) (2022 Entry)
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.
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 header
- 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.
International requirements header
Additional requirements header
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
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 module header
- 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
During the Autumn term you will take a core module, Screen Cultures and Methods, in which a number of staff will introduce key methodological approaches, and illuminate how an element of their own research can then inform the theory under discussion. You then choose three further optional modules taken over the first two terms (one in the Autumn term and two in the Spring term).
The core elements of the Film and Television Studies curricula are supported by a programme of research seminars (departmental staff, PhD students and visiting speakers) and the wide range of screenings for other courses and more generally on campus.
The programme includes dedicated sessions in Graduate Skills that will equip you with the necessary academic skills to excel in Master’s assignments and PhD applications.
Class size header
We have a superb staff-student ratio: for example, our taught MA is normally restricted to twenty students whilst there are thirteen full-time members of staff, and all MA students are allocated a personal tutor.
Contact hours header
There is an average of 16 contact hours per week.
Assessment header
A combination of assessed essays and a 15,000 word dissertation.
Reading lists
Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.