2-Term Pathway - Pre-Master's in Social Sciences and Law - Continue to Master of Arts - Film Studies

This program will prepare students for entry to a postgraduate degree in a wide range of subjects at Lancaster University, including law, design and a world top 10 linguistics program (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

The Film Studies MA at Lancaster provides the opportunity to study film theory, history and culture - particularly transnational cinemas - while also developing students practical skills in filmmaking. If one is passionate about putting theory into practice, Lancaster provides optional project-led modules and students could develop their skills in short narrative, documentary or experimental cinema.

The academics who teach are active in research and specialise in British cinema, Hong Kong cinema and Asian filmmaking in general, African-American popular culture, Middle Eastern cinemas, European arthouse cinemas and Hollywood Cinema, as well as approaches to film aesthetics, and the intersection between theory, culture and the image.

Students will have the flexibility either to submit a traditional independent research dissertation or to undertake a practice-based project accompanied by a critical written piece for their final major research project. They will have access to an excellent range of technical resources and equipment including top of the line digital cameras and digital editing equipment.

The core modules are described under the course structure section above:

• Research Methods: Contemporary Film Theory
• Transnational Cinemas
• Major Research Project: Dissertation

There is also a range of optional modules including Contemporary Gothic, Film Theory and the Creative Process of Writing for the Screen, Digital Journalism & Visual Storytelling and more. Please note however that each year Lancaster runs a selection of these optional modules and the modules offered can vary depending on staff availability.

The programme will help students to strengthen their academic foundation for those planning to progress to doctoral (PhD) studies at Lancaster or elsewhere. It will also stand them in good stead if they want to pursue a career in the arts and media industries. For example they might be interested in:

• Film and TV sector (Researcher, Writer, Director, Producer, Production Manager, etc.)
• Advertising and other creative industries
• Charities
• PR and Marketing
• Education
• Research Council
• Archives
• Organisations involved in festival and cultural event management
• Cultural and heritage organisations involved in film preservation, curating and archiving
• Multimedia authoring and digital design companies