MA Film and Literature

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Essex

Program Overview

The MA in Film and Literature at Essex invites you to dive deeply into how written texts and films inform, challenge, and transform each other — blending literary analysis with cinematic theory and practice. It’s perfect for you if you love both novels and movies and want to develop expertise in how stories move between page and screen.

Curriculum Structure

Over the first phase of your studies, you’ll build a strong foundation with core modules like Origins and Transformations in Literature and Drama, Approaches to Film and Media, and Text Up Close: Reading for Criticism, helping you explore the evolution of literature and film together.
As you move on, you’ll take Criticism: Practice and Theory, where you examine major theoretical frameworks (like psychoanalysis, queer theory, Marxism) to analyze both film and literary texts.
For your final piece, you complete a creative or theoretical dissertation (80 credits), supported by the Dissertation Preparation: Postgraduate Research and Writing Skills module, enabling you to produce a deeply researched and original project.

Focus Areas

Adaptation, Film Theory, Literary Criticism, Comparative Media, Cinematic Aesthetics

Learning Outcomes

You will be able to analyze literature and film in relation to one another, apply advanced critical theory to both media, conduct independent research, and produce a major dissertation (either creative or analytical) that demonstrates your mastery.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course does not have a specific professional accreditation. Nevertheless, its structure supports both academic career paths (e.g., PhD) and creative‑industry roles by combining theoretical and practical media work.

Reputation (Employability / Research Strength)

The degree is offered by the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies at Essex, known for strong research in film criticism, media studies, and literary theory.
You’ll benefit from excellent facilities, including a dedicated 120‑seat cinema (Cine10) and professional‑standard production studios, plus access to industry‑standard editing software.
Graduates have gone on to careers as scholars, filmmakers, film editors, arts administrators, lecturers, and more.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you choose the MA Film and Literature at Essex, you won’t just read about film and books — you’ll get to engage both critically and creatively in a truly interdisciplinary environment. Through weekly screenings, seminars and film‑production workshops, you’ll explore how literature and cinema intersect in practice. You’ll also benefit from masterclasses with industry professionals in directing, editing, cinematography, and post‑production, helping you build both theoretical insight and production know-how.

Here’s how this plays out in hands-on, practical terms:

You’ll have priority access to industry‑standard editing facilities, two modern film studios, and a range of filmmaking equipment, including cameras, lighting, and sound gear.
Use professional film production software such as Avid and Final Cut, so you can learn to edit and produce to expert standards.
Attend weekly film screenings in a dedicated 120‑seat campus cinema (Cine10), complete with digital HD projection and surround sound — these sessions spark discussion, analysis, and inspiration.
Borrow from a large departmental DVD/Blu-ray collection for research or inspiration via the Department’s film library. Join the Centre for Film and Screen Media research community to work with academics and practitioners, collaborate on creative projects, and experiment within a research-led lab environment.
Take part in internships or work placements, supported by Essex’s Careers Service — this helps you develop experience in filmmaking, publishing, or related industries while you study.
Write and produce a creative-practice dissertation (or theoretical one) in your final assessment, giving you the freedom to undertake a project that reflects your personal interests and career ambitions.
Use the Postgraduate Study Room in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies — it’s open 24/7, has networked computers, and provides a quiet place to write, think, and edit.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from Essex’s MA Film & Literature leave with advanced critical and creative insight into the interplay between textual and visual storytelling — equipping you to pursue roles such as film / literary researcher, film critic, screenwriter / script editor, or cultural programmer / curator. With a strong portfolio (your dissertation could be theoretical or practice-led) and rigorous training, you are well-prepared to build a career that bridges theory, media industries, and academia.

Here’s how this MA supports your future pathways:

University Services to Support Employment
- You have lifelong access to Essex’s Careers Service, including 1:1 advice (CVs, applications, interview prep) even after graduation.
- Through CareerHub+, you can find internships, graduate schemes, and creative opportunities tailored to media, writing, and cultural industries.Essex supports start-up initiatives, meaning you can get support if you decide to set up your own creative or production company.
Employment Outcomes & Earning Potential
- The analytical, writing, and critical thinking skills you build are highly transferable: Essex notes that their graduates go into roles such as university lecturers, publishers, journalists, arts administrators, and filmmakers.
- According to Essex’s blog, postgraduate employability is strong: 91% of their postgraduate graduates report being in highly skilled employment.
- In the film & TV industry more broadly, typical salaries range from approximately £36,974 to £75,598, depending on role and experience.
University–Industry Exposure & Partnerships
- Through masterclasses, the course brings in industry professionals in filmmaking to teach you technical craft (cinematography, editing, directing), helping you understand real-world production practices.
- You will develop a strong network via the Centre for Film and Screen Media at Essex, which has award-winning filmmakers and scholars on staff.
- You also practise in industry-standard facilities: Essex offers two studios, professional editing suites, and software (e.g., Avid, Final Cut), giving you hands-on production experience.
Long-Term Academic & Accreditation Value
- The MA is academically rigorous and research-led, which means your work has strong scholarly value: Essex’s programme aims explicitly include preparation for doctoral research.
- Your dissertation can be theoretical or creative, so you leave not just as a thinker, but potentially as a creator. Essex is home to a Doctoral Training Centre (AHRC-accredited) — graduates interested in research can access funded PhD opportunities.
Graduate Destinations & Impact
- Alumni have gone into higher education (lecturing), research, publishing, journalism, film editing, and arts administration.
- If you go for a creative dissertation, you’ll build a tangible portfolio (scripts or filmed / written work), strengthening your applications for creative roles or grant funding.
- Equipped with comparative media expertise, you can also work in cultural institutions, film festivals, or media policy organisations that value cross‑disciplinary competence.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies after this MA, you could:

Apply for a PhD in Film Studies, Comparative Literature, or Media Studies, possibly funded through Essex’s AHRC Doctoral Training Centre.
Pursue a professional doctorate or practice-led research degree, combining creative filmmaking with scholarly inquiry.
Enroll in complementary postgraduate programmes, such as screenwriting, adaptation studies, or digital media theory / practice, to deepen your practical or theoretical expertise.