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The University of Edinburgh: Film Studies
| Institution | The University of Edinburgh View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
| Web | https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying |
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Summary
Make an original, positive and lasting contribution to film studies. A PhD is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise as part of an active research community making impact across the globe.
Edinburgh is one of the world’s foremost cultural cities, known for its festivals and collections. It is an inspirational place to study film, and you will have the opportunity to work with our internationally recognised academics.
As well as the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the city is a year-round cultural treasure trove. Venues range from pop-ups and community spaces to art house and large, multi-screen cinemas.
A PhD at the University of Edinburgh places you at the heart of this rich cultural environment. Based in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), you will benefit from our expertise in film from Europe, America and beyond.
Our research and supervision expertise spans the broad fields of film and screen studies, including:
-
film-philosophy
-
cinema history
-
screen aesthetics
-
film theory
We will consider proposals that focus on genres, film movements and specific filmmakers, especially those within the national expertise of academic staff.
We do not offer supervision for practice-based research projects.
Over the course of your PhD, you will complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of at least two supervisors. Your thesis will be around 80,000 words.
Our programme includes access to skills training, including research methodologies specific to film studies. Our research collections, resources and facilities are outstanding.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
Make an original, positive and lasting contribution to film studies. A PhD is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise as part of an active research community making impact across the globe.
Edinburgh is one of the world’s foremost cultural cities, known for its festivals and collections. It is an inspirational place to study film, and you will have the opportunity to work with our internationally recognised academics.
As well as the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the city is a year-round cultural treasure trove. Venues range from pop-ups and community spaces to art house and large, multi-screen cinemas.
A PhD at the University of Edinburgh places you at the heart of this rich cultural environment. Based in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), you will benefit from our expertise in film from Europe, America and beyond.
Our research and supervision expertise spans the broad fields of film and screen studies, including:
-
film-philosophy
-
cinema history
-
screen aesthetics
-
film theory
We will consider proposals that focus on genres, film movements and specific filmmakers, especially those within the national expertise of academic staff.
We do not offer supervision for practice-based research projects.
Over the course of your PhD, you will complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of at least two supervisors. Your thesis will be around 80,000 words.
Our programme includes access to skills training, including research methodologies specific to film studies. Our research collections, resources and facilities are outstanding.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
MSc
Summary
Our MSc in Film Studies is a long-established and stimulating programme that allows you to explore central concepts in the development of film-philosophy and film theory with an emphasis on European and American cinema.
Our students engage closely with the analysis of film and the history of cinema aesthetics and interpretation.
The programme will provide you with the analytical and critical tools for the investigation of individual films and filmmakers and the opportunity to discuss these in relation to film philosophies, aesthetics, film movements and genres as well as contexts of production and reception.
Our academic staff expertise ranges from historical considerations of the development of the moving image to philosophical engagements with contemporary cinema. We also support studies in television and screen media.
Why Edinburgh Edinburgh is an ideal environment for the study of film as it is home to outstanding art-house cinemas, a lively cinephile culture and the annual world-renowned Edinburgh International Film Festival.
As part of a supportive and international community, you will be able to connect and share your passion with other students working on visual culture across the School of Literatures, Languages and Culture (LLC).
You will also have the opportunity to:
-
hear from and meet with visiting speakers in our Edinburgh Film Seminar series
-
contribute to the Edinburgh Film Podcast
-
publish work in our magazine, The Film Dispatch
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
Our MSc in Film Studies is a long-established and stimulating programme that allows you to explore central concepts in the development of film-philosophy and film theory with an emphasis on European and American cinema.
Our students engage closely with the analysis of film and the history of cinema aesthetics and interpretation.
The programme will provide you with the analytical and critical tools for the investigation of individual films and filmmakers and the opportunity to discuss these in relation to film philosophies, aesthetics, film movements and genres as well as contexts of production and reception.
Our academic staff expertise ranges from historical considerations of the development of the moving image to philosophical engagements with contemporary cinema. We also support studies in television and screen media.
Why Edinburgh Edinburgh is an ideal environment for the study of film as it is home to outstanding art-house cinemas, a lively cinephile culture and the annual world-renowned Edinburgh International Film Festival.
As part of a supportive and international community, you will be able to connect and share your passion with other students working on visual culture across the School of Literatures, Languages and Culture (LLC).
You will also have the opportunity to:
-
hear from and meet with visiting speakers in our Edinburgh Film Seminar series
-
contribute to the Edinburgh Film Podcast
-
publish work in our magazine, The Film Dispatch
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.
The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 34th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research …
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