Explore the interaction between film and literature across text, theory and history.
Year of entry: 2027 (September)
Show year of entry: 2026/27
Engage in a challenging, imaginative study of contemporary debates in film and literature. You’ll study under leading academics to explore critical, theoretical and contextual approaches in two fascinating fields of study.
Explore the topics that matter the most to you. From high society to pop culture, silent cinema to modern releases, you’ll combine theoretical questions with creative practices to craft a truly unique degree.
Gain a foundation of transferable skills to prepare you for a research degree and a range of careers in arts and festival management, teaching, publishing and journalism. We also have a dedicated Careers and Employability Coordinator.
Develop your passion for film and literature beyond your course. Our Writers at York series brings contemporary writers to the Department for readings and workshops, and a wide range of student societies cater to literary interests. PrintSoc, the University’s Print and Press Society, hosts talks and workshops in collaboration with Thin Ice Press, the Department’s very own print studio.
The lectures are informative and the seminars are always exciting. The students in the Department, including myself, often participate in discussions very actively, enhancing the overall academic experience.
Nana, postgraduate English student. Watch Nana's vlog.
The course examines the lively, exchange between the written word and cinematic image. You will examine films in their cultural, historical, industrial, technological and aesthetic contexts, and investigate key issues such as:
You'll study modules from a range of options offered by the Department of English and Related Literature and other arts and humanities departments. You'll also hone your research skills with dedicated training, and complete a research dissertation. You'll study 180 credits in total.
Our modules present case studies of literature and film in the full diversity of their textual, contextual, historical and theoretical relationships. You'll be introduced to an illustrative range of interdisciplinary ‘encounters’, addressing film and literature as media with their own aesthetics and narrative codes; the social and institutional systems that facilitate (or impede) the transfer between them; the questions of style and form that sustain and inspire critical inquiry. You'll also develop valuable research, writing and presentation skills.
Your core modules will cover topics such as:
You will also study three option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Your dissertation offers you the chance to examine a topic in depth and to develop your research skills. You will work on a 12,000-14,000-word dissertation with regular supervision from a member of staff.
You'll submit your dissertation at the end of your course. Recent dissertation topics include:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,420 | £27,840 |
| Part-time (2 years) | £6,210 | £13,920 |
Fees are for year one. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
You will need copies of the texts set for each module. Where possible, the Department works to arrange digital copies via the University Library. Where this is not practical, you will be instructed in advance of the start of each semester about the texts and editions you will need to purchase (whether new or second-hand).
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2027/28 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
Further information about funding for English.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Over the course of the year, you'll have the opportunity to attend research seminars and conferences hosted by the Department. You can also attend events organised through the Humanities Research Centre, a stimulating community unique to York.
You can make use of our dedicated study spaces, including the F.R. Leavis Room and the Writing lab, to work, collaborate and socialise in.
York's library contains a rich variety of resources available to you. This includes, but is not limited to:
The city of York also boasts rich, scholarly resources in a student-friendly and contemporary environment. You can immerse yourself in a range of public libraries and archives around the city and region.
You will be based in the Department of English and Related Literature on Campus West. Most of your contact hours will be in locations nearby on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You will submit an essay for each module of approximately 3,500-4,000 words. The Postgraduate Life in Practice module will be assessed on the completion of a series of tasks connected to your core work for the MA. Your final assessment is a dissertation of 12,000-14,000 words.
The depth and breadth offered by the Film and Literature MA was very appealing; I'm really enjoying it so far. I think the interdisciplinary approach that York takes to its research is very exciting, and at the moment I am considering staying for a PhD!
Our postgraduates go into a wide variety of industries, from arts administration to law. Many alumni have also gone on to become successful novelists, poets and playwrights.
The course will help you to develop a range of transferable skills including:
Accelerate your professional network. We'll connect you with the guidance, industry links and experiences to help you stand out and find your career advantage.
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. We will consider applications from students with lower qualifications, particularly if you have high marks in relevant modules or appropriate professional experience. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 60 with 52 in Listening, 53 in Reading, 65 in Speaking, and 59 in Writing |
| TOEFL | 4.5, with 5 in Listening and 4.5 in each other component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
Find out more about all of our English MA courses.
