Film Studies MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Film and Intermediality

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • MSc | 2 years | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

Our MSc in Film Studies is a long-established and stimulating programme that allows you to explore central concepts in the development of film-philosophy and film theory with an emphasis on European and American cinema.

Our students engage closely with the analysis of film and the history of cinema aesthetics and interpretation.

The programme will provide you with the analytical and critical tools for the investigation of individual films and filmmakers and the opportunity to discuss these in relation to film philosophies, aesthetics, film movements and genres as well as contexts of production and reception.

Our academic staff expertise ranges from historical considerations of the development of the moving image to philosophical engagements with contemporary cinema. We also support studies in television and screen media.

Why Edinburgh

Edinburgh is an ideal environment for the study of film as it is home to outstanding art-house cinemas, a lively cinephile culture and the annual world-renowned Edinburgh International Film Festival.

As part of a supportive and international community, you will be able to connect and share your passion with other students working on visual culture across the School of Literatures, Languages and Culture (LLC).

You will also have the opportunity to:

  • hear from and meet with visiting speakers in our Edinburgh Film Seminar series
  • contribute to the Edinburgh Film Podcast, hosted by Pasquale Iannone (Lecturer in Film Studies)
  • publish work in our magazine, The Film Dispatch

Study options

There are two study options for this programme, both starting in September of the academic year.

Full time

If you take the full-time study option, you will complete the programme in one academic year. 

You will take two core courses in Semester 1 (Semester to December) and another two in Semester 2 (January to May). You will also choose an option course in each semester. 

You will submit your final dissertation around 12 weeks after Semester 2 ends.

Part time

If you take the part-time study option, you will complete the programme in two academic years. 

In your first year, you will take two core course in Semester 1 and another in Semester 2. 

In your second year, you will take a core course in Semester 2, choose two option courses (one in Semester 1 and another in Semester 2) and submit your dissertation. This option is not available to international students.

The MSc Film Studies offers no technical filmmaking or screenwriting courses.

What's the best type of masters programme for you?

Programme rankings

  • 3rd in the UK in the broad subject area of Arts and Humanities (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2025)

Programme benefits

  • Explore central concepts in the development of film theory and film-philosophy, focusing on European and American cinema
  • Experience life in Scotland's capital city - a cultural treasure trove filled with independent cinemas, galleries and annual festivals
  • Combine a mix of core and optional courses with a final project based on your own interests
  • Join a supportive, international community and contribute to our film podcast and online student-led magazine
  • Develop transferable skills in communication, research and project management

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

Multidisciplinary and comparative approaches are key aspects of film studies and we therefore welcome students coming from areas of study other than film.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

Over two semesters, taught in lectures and tutorials, you will complete two compulsory and two option courses. You will also be trained in film research methods and how to write a dissertation research proposal.

You will then complete a dissertation project under individual supervision during the summer.

Compulsory courses

  • Film Theory
  • Film-Philosophy
  • Research Methods in Film Studies 1 and 2

Option courses

You will choose one option course in Semester 1 and another in Semester 2. You will select these from a wide range of courses. These courses typically include:

  • Cinema Auteurs
  • Film Adaptation
  • Film Aesthetics: Art and the Moving Image
  • Film and Existentialism
  • Global Women Filmmakers
  • Sound and Cinema
  • The Cinema of Alfred Hitchcock
  • The Ghosts of Film Noir

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Our core courses are taught through lectures as well as group discussion in smaller tutorial groups. This gives you the opportunity to learn from and exchange ideas with our academic staff as well as from your peers. 

All necessary films will be available to stream on your own devices.

Assessment

Most of our courses are assessed by academic essays but you will also be asked to prepare shorter works of close film analysis.

The dissertation will consist of a 15,000-word independent research project on a topic of your own choice. It is normally submitted in August.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Our academic staff

Where you will study

Academic facilities

The Main University Library holds academic books, journals and databases, films, newspapers and other media.

Many of our Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, Computing Labs, and dedicated study space in LLC. LLC also has:

  • a high specification, 100-seater digital screening room
  • an extensive collection of film books and journals
  • a large number of films available to stream

Career opportunities

This programme is an excellent chance to develop your cinematic interests and knowledge and to build your CV with a view to a career in academia, or in any film or media related field.

Many of our students continue on to careers in education, arts management and curation, as well as a broad range of occupations in the film, television and media industries.

Some will go on to pursue further study as PhD students either at the University of Edinburgh or at other universities across the world.

You will also gain transferable skills in communication, research and project management that can be applied to any career you decide to pursue.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Graduate profiles

Being part of The Film Dispatch has enabled me to know my peers better. I’ve gotten a chance to connect with people that I otherwise might not have met. The magazine has given us an alternative space to talk about film. I love sharing opinions on movies and inspiring other people to do the same.

Niamh Carey-Furness MSc in Film Studies, 2022

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
14 September 2026 30 July 2026

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You do not need to provide a reference when you submit your application for this programme.

There may be certain circumstances when a reference will be required, for example if we need to verify work experience. If that is the case, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application to request a reference.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

I firmly believe that, during the month of August, Edinburgh is the most exciting place in the world to live and to work...To feel so integrated into the University community when the whole world suddenly appears for on your doorstep for the different summer festivals is really breathtaking. It reminds you that studying at Edinburgh helps you to feel like a part of something bigger than yourself. It reminds you that this is a University and a city where the whole world is welcome to share their creative or intellectual impulses, no matter how out of the ordinary they may be.

James Hanton MSc Film Studies, 2023

Starting his critic career in the Student during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, MSc Film Studies graduate James Hanton traces his journey from Social Anthropology to Film in this blog post, and shares insights and advice for students eager to try their hand at reviewing live shows

Meet our graduates: James Hanton

Living in Edinburgh has been a truly enriching experience: not only because of the city’s historical and aesthetic importance, cultural events, and proximity to nature, but specifically due to the traces of Scotland’s great writers and literary heritage you can find around every corner in monuments, landmarks, museums, libraries, archives, bookshops, and literary festivals.

Julia Voigt MSc Literature and Society, 2025

Julia, who provided us with this quote about her experience of living and studying in Edinburgh, is originally from Germany. While studying with us, she was the Postgraduate Taught School Representative for the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC). 

Together with Programme Representatives, Postgraduate Representatives are your voice in the university - sharing your feedback to continually improve the student experience for everyone. Their roles are voluntary, and supported by the Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA).

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

One of the world’s favourite festival cities, Edinburgh is famous for its film, theatre and performance cultures.

Host of the annual Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, it is also a year-round hub of activity, bursting with art house cinemas, galleries, theatres and venues at a range of scales.

Many of the city’s resources are located close to the University's Central Area, making them very easy to access when you are on campus. For example, the National Library of Scotland is less than one kilometre from our School and provides a remarkable choice of texts on film.

Edinburgh's international cultural centres, such as the Institut Francais d'Ecosse and the Italian Institute, also house DVD collections and host regular film screenings.

Find out more about living and studying in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply.

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office

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