Unlock the art of storytelling by combining film studies with the craft of writing. From early cinema innovations and global film movements to novels and theatre, you’ll engage with a broad spectrum of cinematic and literary topics. At the same time, you’ll hone your writing and film-making skills across different genres. The combination of skills, knowledge and experience that you gain on this degree will enable you to stand out from other graduates and claim a fascinating and rewarding career.

Why Lancaster?

Deepen your knowledge of global film history and creative writing techniques, while also developing hands-on film-making skills

Access professional production facilities, including cinema-ready cameras, sound-proofed editing suites, and rehearsal spaces

Learn from distinguished academics, professional filmmakers, screenwriters, and published authors with both industry insights and creative expertise

Discover Lancaster’s inspiring surroundings—from historic city to rural charm, coastal landscapes to the nearby Lake District, it’s a landscape that has inspired generations of writers and film-makers

Prepare for a career in the creative industries with a portfolio showcasing your storytelling voice across both page and screen

Putting theory and concepts into practice

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of storytelling. Combine an in-depth understanding of the theory behind both writing and film with hands-on experience as a writer and film-maker. This course is designed to help you master the skills needed to craft a story and bring it to life on page or film.

We provide a collaborative, dynamic environment. Through small group writing workshops, you will have the opportunity to develop your stories, poetry, or scripts, with feedback from experienced writers. From pre- to post-production, you’ll gain familiarity with industry-standard film equipment and software and develop your understanding of cinematic techniques.

Throughout the course, you will deploy your creativity, critical thinking, and ability to communicate effectively. You will have opportunities to pursue your own interests within film and creative writing; you might, for example, explore fantasy worlds in books and games, global film practices, or film adaptations of novels. Previous students have created films such as:

Tommy the Superhero – A short film that tackles the superhero genre and it’s exploited narrative.

Out of My Place – An immigrant musical that attempts to recontextualise the dream ballet through an immigrant story.

Whether your goal is to create compelling narratives for film, write powerful fiction, or pursue a role in the creative industries, Lancaster’s Film and Creative Writing programme offers the ideal foundation. You’ll leave with a diverse portfolio that reflects your unique storytelling abilities and be equipped to make a meaningful impact in your chosen field.

Exceptional resources

You will have access to top-of-the-line production equipment so you can create your own original content. Make use of our cinema-ready digital cameras with prime lenses, DSLR cameras, versatile set lighting, grip equipment and full access to Adobe Creative Cloud in our acoustic editing suites. We have everything you need to learn the fundamentals of digital audio and camerawork in our specialist production facilities, ensuring you can put your ideas into practice. Whenever you need support, you can turn to our skilled technicians who are on hand to support your studies.

A creative community

Studying film and writing in Lancaster offers a rich, creative community that extends from our campus to the city’s Castle Quarter and beyond. Participate in our student-run cinema, where you can show your films, our vibrant student Film Society, or LA1TV – our Student Union television station.

Take advantage of Lancaster’s city centre arts venue, The Dukes, that shows the latest independent and foreign films on our doorstep. In previous years, final year students have shown their own films here. You’ll also be close to mainstream cinemas in Lancaster and nearby Morecambe, and the city’s vibrant programme of annual literary and music events.

We host many free literary events both on campus and in spectacular locations such as the medieval Lancaster Castle, the awe-inspiring Priory, and the archive-rich Wordsworth Centre at Grasmere in the Lake District. These events include:

Talks from visiting scholars and authors

Study retreat day in the Lake District

Social events such as the October Lecture and May Gathering

If you are interested in writing, publishing, and editing you could choose to get involved in one of our four student-run literary journals: Cake, Flash<, Lux, Errant, or our online student led film magazine, Cut/To, and build on your skills outside of the classroom. You’ll find inspiration in Lancaster’s galleries and theatres, as well as the nearby Lake District - home to artists and writers for centuries.

Your department

School of Arts

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

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Film Studies at Lancaster University

Cutting-edge production facilities, a strong theoretical grounding, and a global perspective on film. Hear what Film Studies at Lancaster University could offer to you.

Students at work

You’ll be developing your practical skills in our film production modules by experimenting with narrative films or documentaries. We provide top-of-the-line production equipment so you can create your own original content.

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Practical experience

You will have the opportunity to produce short films in all three years of your study.

Interesting surroundings

Make use of Lancaster’s stunning surroundings for the perfect film setting – cityscape, rural backdrop or coastal charm.

Film production

Gain practical film-making skills and an understanding of film production.

Production equipment

We provide top-of-the-line production equipment so you can create your own original content. Enjoy 24/7 access to our editing suites and specialist equipment, including cinema-ready digital cameras.

Showcase your films

Every year our final year students showcase their films in a major degree show exhibition, that is open to the public.

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Creative Writing at Lancaster University

“You get so much freedom in terms of what you write and what you’re interested in, and you’re really encouraged to follow that”. Discover how you could forge your Creative Writing journey at Lancaster University.

Download the course booklet to find out more about Lancaster University, how we teach Film Studies, and what you'll study as a Film Studies student.

Film Studies subject guide

Download the course booklet to find out more about Lancaster University, how we teach Creative Writing, and what you'll study as a Creative Writing student.

Creative Writing subject guide

Creative Arts Facilities at Lancaster University

Whatever creative arts subject you choose, you’ll find we have specialist spaces and equipment to inspire your studies.

Annual Degree Show

Every year our final year students showcase their designs in a major degree show exhibition, which is open to the public.

Your Placement Year

Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years.

Placements and Internships

Hear from students and employers on how Lancaster University could support you to gain real-world experience and bolster your CV with a placement or internship as part of your degree.

A placement year is an excellent way to...

try out a role that you may be interested in as a career path

start to build your professional network (some placement students are offered permanent roles to return to after they graduate)

develop skills, knowledge and experience to put you ahead of the field when you graduate

You'll spend your third year...

in a graduate-level position, where you’ll work for between nine and twelve months in the type of role that you might be considering for after you graduate. A very wide range of companies and organisations offer placements across all sectors.

As a full-time employee, you’ll have a job description with specific responsibilities and opportunities to access training and development, the same as other employees.

Our Careers and Placements Team...

will help you to search and compete for a suitable placement with expert advice and resources, such as creating an effective CV, and tips for applications and interviews.

You will still be a Lancaster University student during your placement and we’ll keep in touch to check how you are getting on.

The university will...

use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills.

If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year.

The film, media, and publishing industries are rapidly evolving, with new roles and technologies redefining how we create and share stories. Our Film and Creative Writing programme is designed to equip you with a versatile skills set, helping you develop critical analysis, research, writing and communication skills that prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities. From traditional roles in film production, publishing, and scriptwriting to emerging roles in digital storytelling, content creation, and media strategy, our graduates are prepared to adapt and succeed in a dynamic job market.

Graduates from our Film and Creative Writing programme find success in diverse career paths, including:

Film Production and Editing

Publishing and Editorial Roles

Advertising and Marketing

Broadcast and Print Journalism

Film Programming and Curation

Scriptwriting and Script Supervision

Content Production (TV, Film, Social Media, and Digital Media)

Digital Marketing and Media Strategy

Arts Administration and Management

Teaching and Education

The programme also lays a strong foundation for further specialisation through postgraduate study. Many graduates pursue advanced training at esteemed institutions such as the London Film School, the Met Film School, and the National Film and Television School. Others continue with academic study research, finding that Lancaster’s blend of theory and practice make our MA in Creative Writing the ideal next step.

Careers and employability support

Our degrees open up an extremely wide array of career pathways in businesses and organisations, large and small, in the UK and overseas.

We run a paid internship scheme specifically for our arts, humanities and social sciences students, supported by a specialist Employability Team. The team offer individual consultations and tailored application guidance, as well as careers events, development opportunities, and resources.

Whether you have a clear idea of your potential career path or need some help considering the options, our friendly team is on hand.

Lancaster is unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which recognises activities such as work experience, community engagement or volunteering and social development. A valuable addition to your CV!

Find out more about Lancaster’s careers events, extensive resources and personal support for Careers and Employability.

Find out about some of the careers our alumni have entered into after graduation.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

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A levels

ABB. Film, Media or one other humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential.

Access to HE Diploma

30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 15 Level 3 credits at Merit. Film, Media or one other humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM. Ideally this would be in a subject relevant to Film or Media, although this is not essential.

BTEC in combination with A levels

A level at grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BB plus BTEC at D. Film, Media or one other humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Distinction overall

GCSE requirements

English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.

Help from our Admissions team

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.

We also have more details on our website about:

Other qualifications we accept

International qualifications

How to apply and what happens afterwards

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with Lancaster University International Study Centre, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the Lancaster University International Study Centre for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Where the course offers optional modules, they may not all be available every year.

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Introduction to Film Studies

This module introduces key approaches to film theory, analysis and history while integrating practical filmmaking experience. You will examine cinematography, editing, sound and performance through close analysis of case study films from Hollywood and global traditions. As the module progresses, you will explore major developments in global film history, considering cinema’s role in shaping cultural and political contexts.

Alongside theoretical study, you will take part in practical workshops covering camera operation, sound recording and post-production techniques. These sessions will equip you with the skills needed to collaborate on a group filmmaking project, where you will create a short film that reimagines a scene from a film screened on the module. This practical work will reinforce your understanding of film form and storytelling techniques.

By the end of the module, you will have a strong foundation in film theory, history and practice, preparing you for further academic exploration.

Introduction to Creative Writing

This is a multi-genre workshop that introduces you to the art of creative writing at university level. It is taught through a mix of lectures and tutor-led workshops with the focus ultimately on the development of your own portfolio. This portfolio could take any form and be devoted to any genre (poetry, prose, drama, screenplay etc).

You’ll be encouraged to experiment with various forms and genres, to explore new approaches in drafting and editing your own work, and to practise the gentle art of responding to the work of fellow students. The module will introduce you to a range of exciting texts and helpful terminology, and offer insight from published authors. It will allow you to practise technique, mature your voice and nurture your writerly instincts.

Optional

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Understanding Media and Culture

What does it mean to study media today? In this module, you’ll be introduced to major debates, theories and thinkers in studying media and culture.

You will encounter a diverse range of material from different media, including: television, film, news, advertisements, social media, video games and more.

You will explore the intersections between our cultural environment and our identities, aspirations, beliefs and value systems, to develop essential skills in critical thinking and analysis.

The Arts and Identity (Discovery module)

This module explores the role of the arts in building community, identity and confidence. You will engage with a variety of different art forms (such as painting, theatre, fiction, designed artefacts and film) and develop your own voice via collaborative projects such as a podcasts, video essay or presentation. You will also engage in individual critical reflection for example via a blog, journal or research project.

This module fosters co-operation, intellectual experimentation and self-assurance.

British Cinema

Britain is one of the most successful and influential film industries in world cinema. In this module you will explore the key films, filmmakers and traditions that have shaped British cinema over the past century. Through a study of major genres, styles, filmmakers and themes, you will consider how British cinema has evolved and reflect on historical cinema-going habits.

Alongside this historical overview, you will engage with critical debates. You’ll examine the relationship between national identity and cinema, the role of realism and recurring preoccupations with emotional repression, race, gender and social class. You will also explore how British cinema captures and shapes ideas of ‘’Britishness’’.

Each week, screenings of case-study films by influential British directors will be paired with key readings, providing a foundation for discussion. By the end of the module, you will have developed a critical understanding of British cinema’s distinctive characteristics and its role within film history and culture.

Re-Making Tradition

Develop your critical reading skills, become a more reflective writer and work on being an effective communicator. We'll journey through genres (such as fantasy, tragedy and life writing), explore the social, cultural, aesthetic, political and economic importance of each one, and discuss the possibilities offered by different approaches.

The focus here is on reflective work, while you will produce more creative work in your other modules. You will build your confidence and critical vocabulary, as you experiment with a range of genres, forms and methodologies.

Global Cinemas

Join us as you explore the stylistic, industrial and cultural diversities of global cinema, through the close study of films from different historical and regional contexts. Whilst developing your analytical skills you will examine variations in cinematic style, aesthetics and production modes and consider how films reflect and shape social, political and industrial landscapes.

Through lectures, screenings, readings and discussions, you will explore major cinematic movements and traditions such as:

Silent cinema

Classical Hollywood

Global Neorealism

Middle Eastern and European New Waves

Contemporary independent filmmaking

You will also engage with key debates on:

Film authorship

Digital technologies

Genre evolution

Film circulation

Emerging identities in cinema

By analysing case studies from mainstream and avant-garde traditions across different regions, you will gain a broader understanding of the theoretical and cross-cultural connections that shape world cinema. By the end of the module, you will have developed critical perspectives on the continuities, ruptures, and debates in film history.

Developing Your Writing Practice

On this module you will expand your professional skills. Through iterative activities, conducted with the support of both tutor and peers, you will advance a piece of writing through sequential editing stages.

You'll develop practical and emotional strategies for managing revision. There will be a strong emphasis on the development of collaborative and project management skills. The work will be underpinned and contextualized by both theoretical discussions of the art of writing and by exploring examples from the publishing industry.

Writing Fiction

Develop key techniques for writing fiction and hone the skills you need to write short stories and/or novels.

Through workshops, discussions, set reading from a range of contemporary writers and generative writing prompts, you’ll develop confidence in creating character, worldbuilding, establishing narrative voice, experimenting with point of view and constructing engaging structures and plot.

You will draw on a range of techniques according to your own interests. In your reflective essay you will consider the various ways short fiction and the novel uniquely deploy these techniques.

Screenwriting

This dynamic module blends theory and practice to immerse you in the craft of screenwriting. Through lectures and hands-on workshops, you will develop essential skills in narrative structure, character development and dialogue, while working towards a 15–20-page screenplay.

You will engage with the entire screenwriting process—from initial concept to final draft—receiving feedback through writing groups, table reads and peer critiques. The module emphasises both creativity and industry awareness, introducing you to funding opportunities, pitching techniques and the screenwriter’s role in film production. Alongside practical writing, you will refine your critical analysis skills by evaluating professional screenplays and developing confidence in presenting your work.

By the end of the module, you will have produced a professional-quality screenplay and gained a comprehensive storytelling toolkit, preparing you for careers in screenwriting, filmmaking and broader media industries.

Classic Hollywood Genres

Explore the development of film genres in Classic Hollywood, examining how the studio system shaped genre conventions, storytelling techniques, and audience expectations. You will analyse key genres, such as Silent Cinema, Musicals, and Melodrama, considering their evolution, industrial contexts, and cultural significance.

Through screenings and critical readings, you will assess how genre films establish recurring themes, visual styles and modes of performance. The module also explores how factors such as technological advancements, audience demand and the rise of the star system influenced genre filmmaking.

By the end of the module, you will have developed a strong understanding of genre as both a creative and commercial force in Hollywood cinema, as well as essential analytical skills for further study in film history, theory, and contemporary genre cinema.

Film, Gender, Race and Ideology

Join us as we explore how cinema constructs, reinforces and challenges ideas of gender, race and ideology through global examples. You will engage with key theoretical frameworks, including feminist and queer film phenomenology, psychoanalysis, Marxism and postcolonial theory, to critically examine how films reflect and shape social and political structures.

Through screenings and readings, you will analyse the work of women filmmakers, Third Cinema movements and representations of race and identity across different cultural and historical contexts. The module considers how film style, narrative and spectatorship contribute to ideological meaning, encouraging you to question dominant perspectives in mainstream and independent cinema.

By the end of the module, you will have developed critical tools to analyse cinema through multiple theoretical lenses, deepening your understanding of film as a site of ideological negotiation. This module provides essential skills for further study in film theory, global cinema and cultural analysis.

Writing Poetry

How does our lived experience translate into poetry? And how does poetry crystallize or transform experience through language and form? These and many other questions are explored in this module as you will read as well as write poetry; for the writing of poetry is dependent not only your experience but also your abilities as a reader and interpreter of poems.

You will study the base structures of poetry – from the line-ending to more complex forms like sonnets and sestinas; and you will be encouraged to seek out new reading as a result of class discussion.

Playwriting

Learn to write drama for the theatre and audio, and develop your awareness of the processes by which a written script makes its way to live performance and recorded production. You will be taught through weekly seminars/workshops in which you will explore the effects that different staging/recording approaches and performance strategies have on your scripts.

Over the course of the module, you will develop your own writing styles and gain an awareness of the professional requirements of playwriting for the stage and for radio and podcasts. Part of this course will be taught in situ at The Dukes Theatre in the city centre.

Film Theory and Aesthetics

Move beyond introductory concepts to explore film theory in depth, examining how films construct meaning through form, representation, and audience engagement.

You will critically assess cinema’s relationship with artistic expression and spectatorship, engaging with complex debates that have shaped film scholarship since the medium’s inception. Focusing on advanced theoretical analysis, this module equips you with the conceptual knowledge and critical vocabulary to interpret films using semiotic, psychoanalytic, formalist, philosophical and cognitivist approaches.

You will explore key concepts such as cinematic modernism, subjectivity in film perception and cinema’s evolving relationship with philosophy. The module fosters independent critical engagement with the works of influential theorists, deepening your understanding of theoretical frameworks.

By applying these perspectives to a range of case studies, you will refine your ability to conduct detailed textual analysis. By the end of the module, you will have developed sophisticated theoretical and analytical skills essential for higher-level film study.

Short Film Production

In this module, you will collaboratively develop, produce, and complete a short dramatic film while engaging with sustainable industry-standard production practices. The emphasis is on technical competence, creative problem-solving, and reflective collaboration.

At the start of the module, you'll form your own production groups and assign yourself one of the key creative roles within the team—Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Art Director, Sound Recordist/Designer, or Editor. Where needed, roles may be shared or doubled up to ensure all production responsibilities are met.

The module is supported by advanced technical workshops in camera, lighting, grip, sound, editing, and post-production workflows, preparing you to meet contemporary professional standards while reflecting on sustainability and resource-conscious filmmaking.

American Literature

What we call ‘American Literature’ and how we define America and ‘the American experience’ depends on who is writing and to whom. In this module you will encounter many different voices, many conflicting and contrasting views, a diversity of complex experience and a great range of writing in form and style.

You will explore such questions as: What role do different literary forms play in narrating the self? How does American writing seek to establish a new way of looking at the world? And how and why does literature help shape forms of protest and new critiques of modernity?

Taking an Idea and Making it Happen (Discovery module)

Explore how ideas can be developed into real-world projects with lasting value. Through hands-on collaboration and problem-solving, you will develop innovative projects, learn how to bring ideas to life and explore ways to sustain them.

Whether you are working in a team or individually, you will be encouraged to experiment with different approaches to making a difference in artistic, cultural, social and community spaces.

Work Based Learning Year

This module will allow you to spend the year working in a graduate-level placement role in the industry or sector that interests you most. Throughout the year, you will build an awareness of what is required in the professional workplace whilst developing a range of transferable skills.

During the module you will reflect on and critically analyse: your own career readiness, the ongoing development of your self-awareness in terms of skills and professional knowledge, and your understanding of current workplace practices and professional etiquette.

Our Careers and Placements Team will support you during your placement with online contact and learning resources.

Independent Project (Film, English, Creative Writing and Media)

This is the culmination of your studies, combining everything you have learnt to undertake an in-depth, self-directed research project on the topic of your choice. You will propose an area of investigation, and an appropriate supervisor will be assigned to provide guidance, helping you refine your research focus and methodology.

Supporting independent research, creative exploration, and critical engagement with film and media practices, this module gives you the freedom to explore your personal interests. You may choose to complete one of the following:

A traditional written dissertation

An individual practice-based project such as a short film, screenplay, or other media work accompanied by a written critical piece

A small group practical project in which you will collaboratively produce a short film with individual critical reflections

By the end of the module, you will have produced a substantial piece of work demonstrating advanced conceptual engagement, independent thinking and project management, preparing you for further study or a career in research, filmmaking or the media industry.

Writing Beyond the Text

Many cutting-edge forms of creative writing work beyond written text. This module will develop your understanding of popular contemporary writing and writing industries with an advanced study of two key forms that incorporate visual elements and elements of narrative design – specifically: graphic novels and games.

You will explore the possibilities of narrative design, including its visual and interactive elements, and this will allow you to engage both critically and creatively with a branch of writing largely associated with the digital domain.

Working in small groups, you will develop your own ideas, and through workshopping and playtesting, reflect on the narrative and design decisions you have made.

Global Film Genres

Examining the evolution of film genres in a global context, this module focuses on the ways contemporary filmmakers innovate within established and classic genre traditions. You will analyse key genres (which may include Science Fiction, Horror and Comic Book films), considering their artistic, industrial and technological developments across different cinematic traditions.

Through case studies, you will explore how genre conventions adapt to national and transnational influences, addressing topics such as digital effects and world-building, genre hybridity and the role of franchises in global media. The module also considers how streaming platforms, audience reception and fan cultures shape contemporary genre filmmaking.

By the end of the module, you will have gained an advanced understanding of modern genre as a dynamic cinematic form. You will be equipped with critical and analytical skills essential for further research or careers in film criticism, curation and media industries.

Documentary Production

This advanced, practice-based module provides an industry-informed approach to documentary filmmaking.

Working in small groups, you will research, develop and produce a short documentary, choosing either to pursue an independent concept or respond to a stakeholder brief. The module supports a broad range of documentary genres and styles, encouraging experimentation with form while maintaining professional standards.

Through workshops and practical training, you will refine your skills in cinematography, sound recording and editing, while gaining awareness of ethical considerations, industry expectations, funding opportunities and distribution strategies across traditional and digital platforms.

Collaboration is central to this module, requiring you to navigate real-world production challenges, from research and planning to post-production. By the end of the module, you will have created a completed short documentary and developed the technical, conceptual and professional skills essential for careers in documentary filmmaking and beyond.

Queer Futures (Discovery module)

What do we understand by queerness? Looking back at earlier interpretations, we imagine how queerness might evolve—how it might be lived, felt and understood in the future.

You will explore queer futures from a range of perspectives and viewpoints, while examining both feminist and queer theory, as well as queer media and cultural texts and material relating to areas such as activism, politics and healthcare.

Artistic Fusions (Discovery module)

What happens when radically different forms of art meet? How do these fused forms change our understanding of the world? We will draw on material from different periods and continents, to explore works of art where, for example, film meets history, poetry meets philosophy, fine art meets sociology, religion meets fiction, and theatre meets politics.

Film Circulation, Exhibition and Audiences

Discover cinema as a dynamic socio-cultural institution, exploring how films are circulated, exhibited and received. You will analyse the role of mediators such as programmers, distributors and critics, as well as the spaces where films are consumed and preserved, including cinemas, festivals, archives and digital platforms.

Focusing on both historical and contemporary perspectives, the module considers how film cultures evolve within local and global contexts. Examples may include:

The introduction of movie theatres in colonial settings

The rise of multiplexes

The role of film festivals in shaping regional industries

You will also explore how exhibition and distribution shape audience engagement and film heritage.

By the end of the module, you will have developed advanced research, analytical and communication skills, enabling you to engage critically with film institutions and cultural industries. This will prepare you for further academic study or careers in film curation, distribution and exhibition.

Film Industries, Practices and Movements

This module examines the evolving structures, practices, and challenges of film industries across different historical and global contexts. You will explore key industrial processes such as censorship, marketing, promotion and sustainability, while also engaging with major film movements that have shaped contemporary cinema.

Through case studies, you will analyse how national and transnational film industries adapt to technological, economic and political shifts. Topics may include digital cinema, green production initiatives and the role of institutions such as the BFI in shaping industry standards. The module also explores movements like Hong Kong and New Wave cinemas, assessing their impact on filmmaking practices and global circulation.

By the end of the module, you will have developed a critical understanding of the forces shaping film industries, equipping you with analytical skills applicable to film production, distribution and policy. This module provides a strong foundation for further study in film culture and industry practices.

Experimental Film Production

This hands-on module uses engaging workshops to explore Experimental Film Production and discover how it challenges mainstream narratives and disrupts traditional modes of spectatorship.

Through a combination of critical discussions on selected films and hands-on creative experimentation, this module challenges you to rethink film form beyond conventional storytelling while encouraging you to bring your visions to life through practice.

You will study key movements and approaches, starting from the historical avant-gardes – the influence of artistic movements like Dada, Surrealism and Structuralism- to contemporary artists’ moving image.

By the end of the module, you will have developed a critical and practical understanding of experimental cinema, gaining experience in challenging the boundaries of film aesthetics and spectatorship. Emphasising creative risk-taking and critical inquiry, this module encourages an expanded approach to filmmaking that transcends conventional modes of production and exhibition.

Writing Beyond the Self

In this module you will work in a combination of prose and creative non-fiction to explore how personal experience can fuel both fiction and creative nonfiction and how authorial voice is created in dialogue with the self. You will learn to critically interrogate the ethics of speaking on behalf of ourselves and of others.

The reading list is refreshed annually in response to developments in the field, as is appropriate for an advanced course. An indicative reading list might raise questions of consent in the personal essay, or questions of responsibility when writing for young people and how coming-of-age is handled by adult writers.

Writing Beyond the Moment

As you enter level 6 with a grounded understanding of traditional and emerging forms of creative writing, this advanced module offers you the space to examine and practice experimental and radical contemporary forms that challenge what writing can mean, for the moment and beyond the moment it is written.

Specifically, this module will be focusing on contemporary short forms – including (but not limited to) lyric poetry, the vignette and flash fiction. You will explore the way that form responds to the moment – both a moment in time and the moment we are living in – and how these forms respond to questions of identity, politics, the body, mental health, disability, the climate crisis and more.

Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting at the beginning of each academic year.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2027/28 are:

International

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Additional costs

Additional costs for this course

You will be able to borrow many books free of charge from the university library, however most students prefer to buy their own copies of at least some of the texts. Costs vary depending on whether these are bought new or second hand.

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2026 or 2027, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

Study abroad courses

In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. visa or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.

Placement and industry year courses

In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.

What is my fee status?

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.

Fees in subsequent years

Home fees are subject to annual review, and are liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy. International fees (including EU) are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.

Fees for study abroad and work placements

We will charge tuition fees to Home undergraduate students on full-year study abroad/work placements in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard tuition fee

Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard tuition fee

International students on full-year study abroad/work placements will also be charged in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard international tuition fee during the Study Abroad year

Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard international tuition fee during the Placement year

Please note that the maximum levels chargeable in future years may be subject to changes in Government policy.

Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Fee status:

Any fee status

Home students

International students

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

We are partners with the British Film Institute (BFI)

All our students have free access to BFI Player with hundreds of British, world and classic films, plus workshops and masterclasses.

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Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.

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