MA Film Studies

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

This MA Film at QMUL lets you deepen your understanding of cinema through three distinct pathways — Theory, Documentary Practice, or Directing Fiction — so you can tailor the course to your passions and career goals. Whether you’re more interested in academic analysis, hands-on production, or directing, the program combines rigorous critical study with creative work to help you grow as a thinker and a filmmaker.

Curriculum Structure

First Year / Core Study (Full-time, 1 year)

Since this MA is a one‑year full-time course, the curriculum is intensive and immersive. Regardless of pathway, in your first semester you’ll take two compulsory credit modules: for example, in the Theory pathway, you’ll study Film Studies 1, which explores how cinema shapes our experience of time and space, and in the Practice pathways, you may take modules like Forms of Film Practice, focusing on documentary, experimental, and artists’ moving‑image practices.

In the second semester, you continue with core modules (such as Film Studies 2 in the Theory pathway, where topics like structural film, decolonial cinema, or cinema’s ethical dimension are examined) and choose from several electives across all pathways, giving you flexibility to explore your interests.

Finally, in the summer term you complete a dissertation (in the Theory track) or a final project (in the Practice or Directing track). In the directing pathway, for instance, the Final Project module supports you to develop a short, festival-ready film backed by academic research.

Focus Areas

Film theory and history; documentary production; fiction directing; film practice; media archaeology; film form and ethics.

Learning Outcomes

You will build advanced critical and analytical skills in film studies; gain practical experience in film production or direction; and complete a major independent project (either a dissertation or film), demonstrating your ability to research or create at a professional level.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

While the MA Film at QMUL does not list a specific external accreditation body, its structure — combining theoretical rigor with practical production and directing paths — is well aligned with careers in academia, film production, directing, and documentary filmmaking.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

QMUL’s School of the Arts is highly regarded: its film department gives you access to London’s vibrant film industry, including links to the BFI, London Film Festival, and other cultural institutions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you join the MA Film programme at QMUL, you're stepping into a highly hands‑on learning environment. You'll have access to professional-grade production and post-production tools, a real studio, and a cinema space — enabling both practical filmmaking and theory-driven analysis. Your learning is structured around making real films, working in groups, and producing festival-ready projects, all while being supported by academic staff and industry-connected mentors.

Here’s how your experience would be very practically oriented:

Production Facilities & Equipment:
— You can use Canon C100 cameras, Sony 4K FS7, full-frame DSLRs, plus a wide lens range.
— Lighting gear includes LED panels, Arri lights, reflectors, softboxes, diffusers, grip equipment, jibs, dollies, and gimbals.
— For sound, you have access to professional mixers, radio mics, and a sound booth.
— Editing is done on 27″ iMacs and Mac Pros in two edit suites, using Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro X, and DaVinci Resolve.
Studios & Spaces:
— Two film studios with professional lighting grids (including large green‑screen space) where you can rehearse and shoot.
— A “black box” Film & Drama Studio with retractable seating, lighting rig, and sound/video setup.
— A 41-seat on-campus cinema for screenings, lectures, and private viewings.
— A purpose-built Graduate Centre with dedicated study spaces and a rooftop common room.
Pathways & Projects:
— Theory Pathway: Focus on film analysis, history, audience studies, media archaeology, ethics, and transnational cinema.
— Documentary Practice Pathway: Combines theory with full documentary production — you plan, shoot, and produce a documentary to a professional standard.
— Directing Fiction Pathway: Group‑based production work — over 12 weeks, you develop, pitch, shoot, and edit a short fictional film.
— Auteur Direction Module: You’ll research auteur theory critically, then shoot and edit a short production with your peers.
— Final Project / Dissertation: Depending on the pathway, your final piece could be a festival-ready short film + a critical essay, or a theory dissertation.
Mentorship & Teaching:
— You’ll be assigned an Academic Adviser to guide both your creative and academic journey.
— Courses include lectures, seminars, and screenings, but also group meetings with tutors focused on your production work.
— The Documentary Production Project involves weekly screenings, planning sessions, and tutor-led workshops.
Research & Critical Inquiry:
— Strong theoretical grounding: for example, in the Theory pathway you study ethics, spectatorship, affect, and media archaeology.
— For practice‑based pathways, you're encouraged to build a research portfolio alongside your creative work.
Academic & Industry Environment:
— QMUL’s School of the Arts is deeply connected with London’s creative industries.
— The location in East London gives you proximity to major cultural institutions like the BFI and London Film Festival, and to the heart of the UK’s film production ecosystem.
— The course is taught by academics and filmmakers who are active in research and practice, such as Dr Steven Eastwood, Athena Mandis, and others.
Booking & Access:
— Equipment can be booked via a web-based system (Connect2), giving you control over when and what gear to use.
— You’re trained in using this gear — so even if you come in without prior experience, you can ramp up quickly.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the QMUL MA Film are very well‑placed for careers across film production, broadcasting, film criticism, and creative leadership roles. You might move into roles such as film director, documentary producer, film programmer / curator, or academic researcher / lecturer.

Here’s how QMUL supports your future career and why this MA brings real value:

University Support & Services
- QMUL’s Careers & Enterprise (Careers Hub) offers support to postgraduates — including interview prep, CV support, and networking.
- The Department of Languages, Linguistics & Film provides careers guidance, including opportunities for work placements and research placements.
- As a student, you benefit from QMUL’s strong alumni network — after graduation, you can still access its Careers Hub for advice and connections.
Employment Roles / Graduate Outcomes
- According to QMUL’s own “Getting into Film, TV, Radio & Digital Media Arts” guidance, entry-level roles for film grads include production assistant, broadcast assistant, and runners in production.
- Graduates from all three MA pathways (Theory, Documentary, Directing) are particularly well equipped to: work in film and broadcasting, independent filmmaking, or pursue PhD / academic careers.
- As noted by FindAMasters, this MA “gains the skills and knowledge required to pursue a career in film or broadcasting.”
Industry & Cultural Partnerships
- The programme is based in London, giving you access to major film festivals (e.g., London Film Festival), leading film institutions (like the BFI), and independent production companies.
- The department itself is research-led and collaborates with external cultural organisations, helping inform both theoretical and practical modules.
- Students may also benefit from links to screening events, conferences, and external festivals (Film‑Philosophy, Doc House, etc.) via the department’s network.
Long-Term / Accreditation & Research Value
- QMUL is part of the Russell Group, which gives strong academic reputation and credibility.
- The Department of Film at QMUL is research-intensive; its staff includes active filmmakers, theorists, and ethical scholars — so graduates are learning from leaders in the field.
- Having a master’s with both practice (production) and theory strengthens your CV in both creative and academic contexts, giving flexibility for future career shifts.
Graduation Outcomes & Career Trajectory
- On graduating, you’ll have completed a major project — either a film (if choosing Documentary or Directing) or a dissertation (if choosing Theory).
- Many alumni go on to independent filmmaking (festival circuit), broadcasting roles, or further PhD-level study.
- Because of QMUL’s location, reputation, and resources, it can help you build a professional network in London’s film / media industries — a significant advantage in the long run.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this MA, you could continue your studies via:

A PhD in Film Studies, focusing on theory, history, or global cinema.
A practice-led doctoral (MPhil / PhD) in Documentary or Film Production.
Specialized research in film ethics, screen culture, or media policy — perhaps supported by QMUL’s research groups or external funding (e.g., AHRC).
Or, you could take professional development courses (short courses) in producing, directing, or film writing, leveraging your MA portfolio and network.