Film Studies and Scottish History

Film studies and Scottish history is a degree that combines two disciplines with a particularly meaningful connection at the institution where this programme is offered. Film studies examines cinema and moving image culture as one of the dominant art forms and social forces of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, using critical, theoretical and historical approaches to explore how films are made, what they mean, and how they reflect and shape the societies that produce and watch them. Scottish history asks how the nation of Scotland has been formed, contested and understood over time, engaging with political, social, cultural and economic dimensions of the Scottish past.

At St Andrews, this four-year MA programme develops genuine depth in both fields. The Film Studies programme at St Andrews is internationally regarded, offering a comprehensive study of global film cultures including European, American and world cinema. The Scottish history strand connects to the university's particular strengths in Scottish, British and early modern history.

A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study in a different national academic environment and experience cinema and historical study from another perspective.

You will develop skills in close reading of films, engagement with film theory and criticism, and archival and interpretative skills in historical research. The ability to write analytically and with precision is developed across both disciplines, and you will graduate as a confident, well-read critical thinker with deep expertise in two connected fields.

Graduates move into careers in arts and cultural organisations, screen industry development and commissioning, journalism, heritage and museums, education, documentary filmmaking, archival work and academic research. Further study in film, history, cultural studies or media is a natural option.