Film Studies MLitt
This research Master's in Film Studies combines taught modules and individual research. It is well suited as preparation for PhD research.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2025
Overview
Join a thriving community of postgraduate students working in Film across disciplines. Study with us and match your interests with the expertise of our staff.
You'll master advanced practical and theoretical skills to research and analyse film. Teaching methods closely resemble those at doctoral level, effectively preparing you for PhD study.
As part of the Film Studies MLitt programme, dissertation supervision is available in:
- American cinema history (Dr Shail)
- French cinema (Dr Leahy)
- Contemporary Spanish and Latin American cinemas (Dr Page)
- Chinese-language cinema (Prof.Yu)
- Algerian cinema (Prof Austin)
- Caribbean cinema (Dr Fehimovic)
- Portuguese and Brazilian cinema (Dr Beleza)
- Japanese popular culture and anime (Dr Yoshioka)
- Film festivals (Dr Wu)
Dissertation supervisors span the:
- School of Modern Languages
- School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics
- School of Arts and Cultures
This ensures the best fit between your interests and the expertise of our staff.
Important information
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View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
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What you'll learn
Taught modules aim to extend your knowledge and skills beyond undergraduate-level and help to develop your research skills.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Film Studies MLitt Research Assignments | 80 |
| Film Studies MLitt Dissertation | 80 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Information Skills | 10 |
| Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | 20 |
| The Making and Unmaking of Knowledge | 10 |
How you'll learn
Study consists mainly of:
- seminars
- tutorials
- independent learning
This is supported by research training.
The Film Studies MLitt incorporates a formal research training component where you will develop your research skills and methodologies.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
As part of the Film Studies MLitt, you'll submit a portfolio of essays chosen according to your interests and experience. You undertake a dissertation of 16,000 - 18,000 words consisting of a sustained piece of original research.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You'll have the opportunity to use Culture Lab, a complex for creative practice. It includes a stock of film cameras and editing suites, as well as sound-mixing technology.
The Language Resource Centre and Robinson Library hold large collections of international films and film magazines. You'll also have access to a dedicated postgraduate suite including computers, workspaces, a kitchen and showers.
There are fantastic local film facilities including the Tyneside Cinema and British Film Institute Mediatheque. You'll also have guided access to Tyne and Wear Archives.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
Home fees for research degree students
For 2024-25 entry, we have aligned our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The standard fee was confirmed in Spring 2024 by UKRI.
For 2025-26 entry, we will be aligning our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The standard fee will be confirmed in Spring 2025 by UKRI.
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You will be eligible for a scholarship worth 15% off the international fee.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
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Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
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University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
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