Film and Creative Writing Lancaster University

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

• Prepare for a career in the creative industries with a portfolio

Putting theory and concepts into practice

This course is designed to help you master the skills needed to craft a story and bring it to life on page or film. 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.

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. Whenever you need support, you can turn to our skilled technicians who are on hand to support your studies.

A creative community

Participate in our student-run cinema, where you can show your films, our vibrant student Film Society, or LA1TV – our Student Union television station.

The Dukes in Lancaster city centre 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 and Errant or our online student led film magazine, Cut/To, and build on your skills outside of the classroom.

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.

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.