Film & Visual Culture and Philosophy, MA

When you join this programme, you won’t just be sitting in lectures all day — you’ll get real, hands-on experience creating, analysing, and sharing visual work. You’ll be part of a lively film culture on campus, with screenings, guest talks, and events, and have access to facilities designed to nurture both your critical thinking and creative skills. You’ll learn to move seamlessly between philosophy, media theory, and the visual world, developing skills that are both reflective and practical.

Here’s what the experiential side looks like in practice:

Practical filmmaking / video-essay modules
Some courses, such as those in documentary or visual practice, will have you produce a short film, a video essay, or another visual media project.

Tutorials, workshops, and small-group seminars
Beyond lectures, you’ll regularly take part in tutorials or seminars with small groups, where you can dive deep into films, visual artefacts, and philosophical questions.

Guest lectures, masterclasses, and festivals
The programme hosts a Director’s Cut series, bringing internationally renowned filmmakers to campus for masterclasses and special screenings.

George Washington Wilson Centre for Visual Culture
This centre organises events, exhibitions, and talks, serving as a hub for interdisciplinary engagement across film, photography, visual culture, and museum studies.

Access to Sir Duncan Rice Library and digital collections
You’ll benefit from the university’s world-class library, which offers advanced resources for film and visual culture research, including archives, online journals, and media tools.

Dissertation / independent project in your final year
In your honours year, you’ll complete a dissertation or independent research project on a topic of your choice, combining your interests in visual culture and philosophy.

Blended film theory + philosophy integration
Since this is a joint honours programme in Film & Visual Culture and Philosophy, you’ll regularly shift between critical theory, visual media, and philosophy — applying philosophical tools like logic, ethics, and argument to visual culture, and vice versa.

Film showings, campus screenings, and public events
You’ll also have opportunities to present your work, attend talks, and network at film showings, seminars, café discussions, exhibitions, and other public events hosted by the programme and school.

Graduates of the MA Film & Visual Culture and Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen develop a rare blend of creative, critical, and analytical skills—highly sought after across a wide range of industries. Many go on to careers that bridge art, media, and cultural understanding, thriving in roles that demand both creative insight and philosophical depth. Typical graduate roles include Film or Television Producer, Curator or Arts Administrator, Media and Communications Officer, and Policy or Cultural Analyst.

You’ll be supported every step of the way through the University’s dedicated Careers and Employability Service, which offers:

• Personalised career guidance, employer networking events, and workshops focused on creative industries and graduate development.

• Access to the CareerConnect platform, linking you directly with internships, placements, and graduate vacancies worldwide.

• Strong industry connections, including partnerships with cultural institutions, museums, and media organisations that provide valuable hands-on experience.

• Excellent graduate outcomes — the University of Aberdeen ranks highly for employability, with over 90% of graduates in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey).

• Accreditation value — an Aberdeen degree is internationally respected, recognised for its rigorous academic foundation and strong creative reputation.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you could continue your academic journey with a Master’s in Film Studies, Visual Culture, Cultural Policy, or Philosophy, deepening your expertise and preparing for roles in academia, research, or cultural management. Many graduates also pursue PhD study at Aberdeen or other leading universities, specialising in areas such as aesthetics, visual media, or contemporary culture.