MA for Research in Film and Television Studies

Find out more about our MA for Research in Film and Television Studies Master's degree at Warwick

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MA

1 year full-time

6 October 2026

Television and Film Studies

University of Warwick

The MA for Research in Film and Television Studies offers those with a background in Film and Television Studies more flexibility to choose which of Warwick's world-leading scholars they wish to work with. Film and Television Studies has a worldwide reputation for the quality of its teaching and research within the fields of film and television aesthetics, history and theory.

This course is designed for students with an academic background in film and/or television studies. Applicants will have achieved a First Class result at undergraduate level, have firm PhD plans and feel that they need to develop their knowledge of fields that are not covered by our taught modules, in order to prepare for their proposed PhD project.

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.

Through this MA programme, you will be able to draw upon the renowned expertise of our staff to develop a programme tailored to prepare for your doctoral research.

Our MA for Research 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.

Three taught modules, plus one independent study module designed in consultation with a supervisor and a 20,000 word dissertation.

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 a wide range of screenings. As postgraduate students, you are an important part of the research culture of the department.

The programme includes dedicated Skills Training and Research Workshops that will equip you with the necessary academic skills to excel in Master’s assignments, develop your scholarly practice, and prepare you for PhD applications.

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.

There is an average of 16 contact hours per week.

A combination of assessed essays and a 15,000 word dissertation.

Reading lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window.

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.

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.

First Class Honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Film and/or Television Studies.

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 20,000 word dissertation.

For a speedier decision on your application, we advise you to provide us with these supplementary documents when you apply. This supplementary material can be uploaded in one document to your application.

• 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.

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

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