(Full time) 2020 start
English and Film Studies BA
Overview
This joint honours degree gives you a unique insight into visual and literary culture. You’ll have the chance to explore the richness of English language and literature alongside cinemas from around the world, gaining the critical skills and cultural awareness valued by employers.
Core modules introduce the principles of film studies and different elements of poetry, drama and prose. Then you’ll choose from an impressive variety of optional modules to pursue your interests, from medieval literature to creative writing, aesthetics to gender and sex in French film.
Offered by the School of English and Centre for World Cinemas, this degree allows you to study two different yet related disciplines in an exciting cultural hub. Leeds is home to the Leeds International Film Festival and great independent cinemas. We’re close to Bradford – home of the National Science and Media Museum as well as another established festival. It’s the perfect part of the world in which to explore these exciting subjects.
Specialist facilities
Leeds has excellent resources for studying both literature and film. As well as the rich cultural life of the city itself, our Language Centre offers an extensive lending library of foreign-language films for students of world cinema. The University Library also houses extensive documents, manuscripts and early printed materials in its Special Collections, which are a valuable resource for your original research.
Take a look around our libraries:
Course content
A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.
In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the key concepts and movements in film studies while exploring poetry, prose and drama to develop your understanding of literatures in English. You’ll also take a cornerstone module in either world literature or audio-visual culture to help you make connections between your two subjects.
You’ll build on this knowledge in the following year, engaging with critical approaches to world cinemas while gaining an in-depth understanding of key periods in English literary history. You’ll also choose from an array of optional modules to explore different areas of film studies and literature, from Old English to refugee narratives and creative writing, various national cinemas and an exploration of film genres.
In your final year, you’ll choose from more optional modules on anything from postcolonial literature and the digital humanities to the representation of minorities in Hollywood cinema. You’ll also get to demonstrate the critical and research skills that you’ve acquired when you complete an independently researched final year project.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
These include lectures, seminars, tutorials and occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also an important part of your degree, since it enables you to develop your critical and research skills.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We also use different types of assessment. Usually exams and essays will be the most common, but in some modules oral presentations and group work may also be part of the mix. On the Film Studies side you will undertake critical scene analyses. We do offer plenty of support in these cases: extra classes on issues like public speaking, exam technique and structuring essays will be available throughout your time at Leeds.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB including A in English.
Other course specific tests:Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be ABB at A Level including A in English and grade A in the EPQ.
We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. The Access course must include English modules. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required.
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BTEC
We will consider this qualification in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M1 including D3 in English.
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall including 16 at Higher Level with 6 in English at Higher Level.
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in English
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AB in Advanced Highers including A in English and AABBB in Highers, or A in English in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers.
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Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.
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Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 80% including 85% in English
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level including English and pass Access to Leeds.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £19,500 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
A degree in English and Film Studies will equip you with a wide range of transferable skills.
You'll be a critical thinker who can research different sources and form conclusions from the information you find. Your communication skills will enable you to explain and defend your views clearly, either verbally or in writing. Because you’ve also gained organisational skills from managing two different subjects, you’ll be attractive to employers in all kinds of industries.
Graduates have gone on to succeed in careers in publishing, law, advertising and marketing, journalism, education, charity work, business and finance and the civil service. Many others have pursued postgraduate studies.
You can read more about the range of careers our English and Film Studies graduates progress into, as well as the support we offer you throughout your degree.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.