Film and English Literature Lancaster University

Studying Film and English Literature at Lancaster offers a comprehensive exploration of storytelling across different media, blending the critical study of film aesthetics, theory, and cultural impact with practical film production experience. By engaging with a wide range of texts, this programme provides a strong foundation in narrative forms and techniques, equipping you with a versatile skill set for careers in the creative industries, media, publishing, and more.

Why Lancaster?

Deepen your knowledge of global literature, film, aesthetics, and cultural significance, while gaining hands-on film-making experience

Create your own films using state-of-the-art equipment, with 24/7 access to editing suites, and cinema ready cameras

Learn from distinguished academics, published authors, and professional filmmakers, and develop your skills in small seminar groups and workshops

Participate in Lancaster’s vibrant arts community, with student-run journals, literary and film events taking place on campus and in the city centre

Draw inspiration from Lancaster’s unique surroundings, from the historic cityscape to the scenic Lake District, a creative haven for writers and filmmakers

Prepare for a career in the creative industries with a portfolio showcasing your storytelling voice across both page and screen

Creative storytelling

Combining an in-depth exploration of literary works with rich cinema history and practical film-making, this course expertly blends the study of literature with film.

Explore the fascinating world of film, covering topics from global cinema history, innovative storytelling strategies and influential movements to contemporary media practices. Through hands-on workshops, you’ll not only analyse film theory but also build on your practical film-making skills. You will study cinematography, editing, and sound, whilst exploring film-making styles such as narrative, documentary and experimental, providing you with the skills to create your own short films.

Through studying English Literature, you’ll explore a vast range of texts, from ancient myths to contemporary graphic novels, as well as a host of different voices, themes, and forms. This programme encourages active, transformative reading, connecting literature with broader themes such as politics, ecology, gender, theology, fashion, film, and philosophy.

This all makes ideal subject material for you to bring into your film-making. For example, former student Isobel Turner created a thought-provoking documentary, Femininity, that discussed the interaction between femininity and feminism from multiple perspectives, drawing on a range of film and literary sources to focus on the beauty of bodies.

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, ensuring you can put your ideas into practice. Whenever you need support, you can turn to our skilled technicians who are on hand to support your studies.

The university library is a favourite hangout spot for our students. With quiet, cosy corners and collaborative working spaces and – of course – books galore, both online and hard copy, it is one of many vitalising study spaces on campus.

Inspirational communities

Studying Film and English literature at Lancaster offers a rich, creative community that extends from our campus to the city’s Castle Quarter and beyond. Participate in our student-run cinema, where you can show your films, our vibrant student Film Society, or LA1TV – our Student Union television station.

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.