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
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
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.
Course content changes
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
Additional assessment information
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
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
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.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree (or higher), or international equivalent, in a related subject area. Â A 1,000-word research proposal and a full transcript is required. You may also be called for an interview.
