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MA Film Studies / Course details
Year of entry: 2021
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Course description
Our MA Film Studies course has been designed to provide considerable opportunities to study film theory, history and culture, as well as aspects of applied practice.
It caters for those who want to enhance their artistic and professional careers, or if you're planning to progress to doctoral study.
The course is also suitable if you're relatively new to the subject area and want to establish a solid foundation.
If you want to enhance your employability, it provides an excellent springboard for careers in film, screen media and the creative industries, as well as educational, social and community professions.
The research and teaching strengths of our scholars span film, screen and media studies from form and theory to historical and cultural approaches, and from national cinemas to the politics of identity, gender and sexuality, and film music, as well as film practice as research.
This considerable breadth of specialism offers students a wide range of options.
Whether you want to strengthen your academic foundation in this subject area or wish to pursue niche areas of research requiring specific expertise you'll find the MA in Film Studies has a considerable amount to offer.
The MA Film Studies also emphasises aspects of applied practice as research that allows you to apply knowledge and experience of film theory and practice to a professional setting such as in participatory video practice, and film curation and programming.
Special features
Discounts at HOME
Receive a student membership card for discounts at HOME, Manchester's centre for contemporary theatre, film and art.
Teaching and learning
You will learn through seminars, small group tutorials, workshops and surgeries, offering opportunities for lively and engaged discussions.
One-to-one supervision is offered on all dissertations.
The Programme Director is Dr Felicia Chan .
Coursework and assessment
Written coursework in each taught 30-credit unit comprises a 6,000-word essay or its equivalent, such as video essays, log books, evaluation reports, project critiques and practice analysis.
The dissertation is a 15,000-word project on a topic chosen in consultation with the dissertation supervisor.
Course unit details
You will undertake units totalling 180 credits. Core and optional units combine to make 120 credits, with the remaining 60 credits allocated to the dissertation.
Following a mandatory first semester of two core units, you are free to shape your course by choosing from a diverse range of options, including established study options within arts, languages and cultures, a directed reading or practice option (enabling you to pursue a specific area of research with the careful supervision of specialist staff), and a work placement option.
Study options vary from year to year depending on staff availability.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film Theories, Debates and Approaches | DRAM71331 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Film Cultures: Research, Industries and Practice | DRAM71442 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Screen Acting and Stardom | DRAM60141 | 30 | Optional |
| Directed Reading (15) | DRAM70011 | 15 | Optional |
| Directed Reading (15) | DRAM70012 | 15 | Optional |
| Falstaff and Gandalf: Adapting Fantastic Texts to Film | DRAM70022 | 30 | Optional |
| Directed Reading (30 credits) | DRAM70051 | 30 | Optional |
| Directed Reading (30) | DRAM70052 | 30 | Optional |
| Docufiction Filmmaking | DRAM70062 | 30 | Optional |
| Screening the Holocaust | DRAM70482 | 30 | Optional |
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What our students say
The Film Studies MA offered an invigorating mixture of learning styles that utilised a variety of theoretical perspectives and methodologies.
At Manchester, the study of film is set within a wide framework that appreciates film as not just a textual object, but as a commodity that flows through institutions, industries and other networks of exchange.
I also undertook a placement module in which I worked with a participatory arts organisation in the production of an exhibition at the People¿s History Museum.
There, I gained first-hand experience of oral history interviewing as research, developing a key skill I will undoubtedly carry forward in future research projects.
Nicholas Bimson
The practical options on the fantasy adaptation and directed practice modules gave me the chance to take my scriptwriting and film production skills to the next level.
The inspirational lectures and expert tutorials opened my eyes to groundbreaking film works, theoretical knowledge and approaches to creative work which has transformed my practice.
My dissertation film project with a museum is also providing me with industry contacts and insights into film project funding proposals, as well as developing my passion for working with film to document knowledge and help to bring different communities together.
Marianne Knowles
Facilities
Facilities are available for video and audio production. Sony camera and sound kits, and kits for Virtual Reality production, including mobile workstations for VR editing, are available for coursework.
The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama supports the John Casken Lecture Theatre for film screenings and two studios for independent work with audio and video. In addition, there is a Film Lab equipped with edit suites and a lecture/screening room for the use of MA Film Studies students.
The Media Services at The University of Manchester provides additional edit suites with on call teaching and technical support.
The Lenagan Library is a small reference library housed in the Martin Harris Centre that includes a range of popular and specialist titles available for students to loan, together with a viewing suite and a spacious work area.
Find out more on the Facilities page.