English and Film Studies

English and film studies is a combination that rewards the kind of reader and viewer who wants to understand not just what a story is about but how it works, why it was made, and what it reveals about the culture that produced it. Literary and cinematic storytelling share deep structural connections: questions of narrative, character, genre, adaptation and representation apply to both, and studying them together allows you to develop a richer comparative understanding than either discipline alone provides. You move between the written word and the moving image, developing complementary analytical skills.

At the University of Dundee, this four-year full-time programme traces the development of both English and film from historical traditions to contemporary practice. You will explore literary works across different periods, genres and traditions, studying the craft of writing and the critical frameworks used to interpret it. The film studies component takes you through the origins and early history of cinema, the development of Hollywood and international film traditions, questions of genre and form, and the techniques of filmmaking including screenwriting, editing and production.

Practical media production skills are developed alongside critical and analytical study. A year abroad is available, giving you the opportunity to experience studying in a different cultural and academic environment, which is especially valuable for subjects so closely tied to cultural context.

You will develop strong skills of close analysis, written argument and critical interpretation across both disciplines. Research skills are built throughout, culminating in independent work that demonstrates your ability to engage with a substantial question in depth.

Graduates move into careers in film and television, publishing, education, journalism, broadcasting, screenwriting, digital media, creative writing, and arts administration. The analytical and communication skills the degree develops are valued across a wide range of sectors, and postgraduate study in film, literature, creative writing or cultural studies is a natural next step.