Course summary
We live in an increasingly visual world. Images have both power and currency in contemporary society, and play a central role in shaping the world around us. From TV and advertising to social media and film, images form a part of our everyday lives. The MLitt in Film, Visual Culture and Arts Management develops your critical skills to both sort through and contextualise the images surrounding us. This programme offers hands-on, real-life experience to prepare you for future study or work in the world of images. The MLitt in Film, Visual Culture and Arts Management offers a unique combination of research and practice. Students will learn and apply the main critical methods utilised in film and visual culture, and employ those methods in practice-based projects. The programme offers range of hands-on projects, including an opportunity to work in a local arts organisation and develop students individual portfolios to build a strong CV for work in the film and visual culture industry, as well as preparing them to go on to an academic career. This programme is ideal for those already working in the industry seeking further qualifications, or those new to the discipline seeking knowledge and experience.
Modules
The programme is delivered by means of seminars and workshops that are tutor- and student-led as appropriate. Students will complete independent and group work, and lead their own projects with the guidance and support of the course tutors. Those starting the degree in January should be advised that they will begin their studies in Semester 2. They will complete the dissertation (Semester 3) over the summer, and finish the programme with the Semester 1 selection of courses. Taught courses do not run in the summer. Students wishing to do their dissertation at the end of the programme should consider delaying their start to September.
Assessment method
Assessment methods include essays, reflections, journal entries, and practical work such as portfolios, films and photography. The MLitt also requires a 15,000-word dissertation (which can also include practical components), while the PG diploma and PG certificate consist of coursework alone.
How to apply
International applicants
When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. In addition, it is important to check all immigration requirements regularly and before travelling, as they can change. Students without the necessary visa will be refused entry to the UK. You should allow plenty of time to organise your visa and ensure you are aware of all your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa. Please note that the advice provided via the University is the Student Visa category of the UK's Points Based Immigration Scheme. For further information, please visit the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
Entry requirements
Students are normally required to have a good 2.1 degree (or its equivalent) in a subject relevant to Film and Visual Culture, such as Anthropology, Art History, English, Film Studies, Media Studies, Modern Languages, Sociology or Theatre Studies, OR, an undergraduate degree plus relevant professional experience in the arts and humanities industry.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 6.0 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 21 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online test is not accepted. |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for 1 year). Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | C | Overall - 176 with: Listening - 162 or above; Reading - 162 or above; Speaking - 162 or above; Writing - 169 or above. |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Higher requirements are used by the Schools of Business; Divinity, History and Philosophy; Education; Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture; Law; and Social Sciences. The MSc in Oil and Gas Enterprise Management and the MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience also make use of the Postgraduate Higher requirements. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2025/2026. For guidance, the fees on the University Online Prospectus website are for 2024/25.
Sponsorship information
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/. The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX