MSt in Film Aesthetics at University of Oxford

Programme overview

A nine-month taught humanities degree dedicated to film as an art form, covering film style and form, philosophical aesthetics as applied to film, and classic and contemporary film theory and criticism. Historical, cultural, geographical and political approaches are welcome in written work but are not the focus of teaching and assessment.

Faculty: Humanities Division | Duration: 9 months full-time | Intake: 4 October 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Oxford, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

A one-week practical film workshop before term (not assessed), seminar-based teaching in the first two terms on the language and style of film criticism, methods of film analysis and theory, and four short segments on particular aesthetic topics, then individual supervision for a dissertation in the third term.

Career pathways

Graduates work in film programming, film reviewing, film production, design and teaching, and the course is a foundation for further scholarly research into film.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Entry for 2027-28. A first-class UK undergraduate degree with honours in the humanities, fine art or social sciences (or equivalent; US GPA normally 3.7/4.0, though most successful applicants achieve higher). A formal film studies background is not required, but high achievement in film studies is desirable and applicants should show interest in, and if possible knowledge of, aesthetics and the aesthetics of film. Publications not expected. Three references and supporting documents; interviews may be held. No GRE or GMAT. English language (higher level, if first language is not English): IELTS Academic 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each component; TOEFL iBT 110 with minimum Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24; C1 Advanced 191 overall and 185 per component; C2 Proficiency 191 overall and 185 per component; Oxford Test of English Advanced 165 overall and 155 per component. Test must have been taken no more than two years before course start. Application deadline: 12:00 midday UK time on 5 January 2027 (final deadline for Oxford scholarships 2 March 2027).

Domestic applicants: GBP 21,090 a year (2027/28). Home fee Source

International applicants: GBP 46,350 a year (2027/28). Overseas fee Source

Intake: 4 October 2027

Duration: 9 months full-time

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities