Film Studies (Film & Philosophy pathway available)

Study at the leading centre for Film Studies in London. Extensive range of options covering all aspects of film style, representation, spectatorship, and philosophical approaches. Perfect location close to BFI Southbank (including the BFI Library) Southbank Centre, and Tate Modern. Ideal for careers in the Media Arts and related Culture Industries, or preparation for further study. Film and Philosophy pathway available.

• Internationally renowned staff.
• Focus on cutting-edge ideas and developments in film culture.
• Ranges across European, American and World cinema from highbrow to lowbrow.
• Located in the heart of London.
• Film & Philosophy pathway available.
  
   

Student destinations Programme leader/s Awarding Institution Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent) Duration Location Year of entry 2013
Offered by Closing date Intake Fees Contact information Email Website

The MA in Film Studies has been designed for students who want to deepen their knowledge of the world’s cinemas and the very latest approaches to studying them. Graduate students at King’s participate in a number of regular research activities, including a programme of lectures by nationally and internationally distinguished scholars, international conferences, twice weekly 35mm cinematheque screenings, a focused graduate training programme, and a student organised work-in-progress conference in May. Many graduates of the MA Film Studies go on to pursue careers in media arts or a PhD in Film Studies. Past graduates have gone on to PhD programmes at Harvard University, the University of Iowa, the University of Essex, the University of Stirling, the University of Westminster, and other University of London Colleges (including King’s), among others.

Contemporary film studies is a diverse, interdisciplinary field, incorporating a variety of approaches to the analysis of film and film culture. The MA Film Studies at King's College builds on the research strengths of its distinguished faculty to offer modules that examine a wide range of cinemas and approaches to studying film.

The MA Film Studies can be taken as a one-year full-time course or as a two-year part time course. The course runs from September to September. It consists of five taught modules and a dissertation, together with a training program, guest seminar series and student organised conference. Full time students will take the compulsory core module, four other taught modules and a dissertation. Part time students will take the compulsory core module and two other taught modules in the first year, and two other taught modules and a dissertation in the second year.

Core programme content

• Formations of Film Studies: an Advanced Introduction to the Field (for MA Film Studies)
• Film and Philosophy (for MA Film Studies, Film and Philosophy pathway).

In addition to taking one of the core modules in the first semester and writing a dissertation in the spring/summer, students choose four non-core modules from a wide range of options (for those enrolled on the Film and Philosophy pathway, at least two of these must be designated film and philosophy modules).

All optional modules are available to all MA Film Studies students.

Indicative non-core content

Optional modules for 2012-13 include:

• Film History and the Cinema Experience,
• Thinking Cinema, 
• Experimental Film and Philosophy,
• Cinema and Sentiment,
• Exploitation Cinema, 
• New Directions in Chinese Cinema,
• London Film Cultures,
• Cinema and War,
• Popular European Cinema,
• Contemporary Period Film and the Heritage Film Debate,
• Cinema and the City.

You may also be able to select one module from associated graduate film programmes at Birkbeck College, Goldsmiths College, University College, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway and SOAS.

Taught core and optional courses assessed by coursework plus a compulsory dissertation.


General entry advice

Applications are usually assessed by at least two academics; in addition to a completed application form we also ask for a piece of written work of at least 4,000 words. Applicants may be asked to interview, either in person or by phone if overseas. We aim to process all applications within four weeks although this may take longer in February and March, and over holiday periods.

Within your personal statement, please tell us briefly why you want to undertake the MA in Film Studies, and what you are hoping to do afterwards. Please state modules you wish to take, if known. Applicants to the Film and Philosophy pathway should indicate this in their personal statement. Provisional pathway selection will then be provided as part of any offer, to be confirmed upon enrolment.

Convenors may request additional materials as needed. You must also provide a piece of written work of at least 4,000 words on a relevant topic. If you have been away from study and are unable to submit a previous piece of work, you will need to write a new essay. What we are looking for is evidence of your ability to research a topic and write about film in a theoretically informed way. Suggested topics include: Adaptation of Novel into Film (your essay should focus on a contemporary example) and Film Remakes (again, your essay should focus on a contemporary example). In addition to analysing a particular film, you will need to acquaint yourself with some of the scholarly literature on adaptations or remakes. Convenors may request additional materials as needed.

AHRC, Graduate School studentships and bursaries, self-funded.