UCL was the first university to establish a Film Studies Programme in the UK. We have particular research strengths in cinema history and in an exceptionally broad range of cinemas. Our core faculty utilise a wide array of theoretical approaches to screen media in the classroom and in their research: from film theory and political economy to cultural studies and critical media studies. We offer modules in cinemas from Europe, East Asia, Africa and the Americas. The programme covers the history of cinema and a wide variety of global cinemas, and related conceptual approaches to the study of screen media. It is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge of both the history of cinema and media and its contemporary developments, and with the skills, concepts, methods and theories required for the study of cinema and media at graduate level.

Graduates from the MA in Film Studies have pursued various careers, including: academic research and teaching; careers within media arts (writing, directing, editing); print and media journalism; arts and museum management; multimedia authoring and digital design; film preservation and curating.

Former students of this programme have gone on to careers in education and publishing and a wide variety of careers in the media arts, including film production, festival programming, and film curation with organisations including the BBC, the Barbican Centre, the Athens International Film Festival, and the London Film School.