English and Film

From the written word to the silver screen, this joint honours course explores the middle ground between two of the world’s most important storytelling forms.

It is a fascinating combination of English literature, with its centuries-old roots, and the relative modernity of cinematic studies. Taught by staff that are internationally renowned writers and critics in a friendly, supportive and intellectually challenging environment, you'll study English literature in all its major forms - prose, poetry and drama - and cinema, in its large and small screen incarnations.

The film modules are grounded in close textual interpretation and the analysis of style, genre, historical context, and the politics of representation. As such, you’ll focus on key film genres, key directors, numerous film movements and national cinemas. With the sheer power, reach, longevity and endurance of American filmmaking over the last 120 years, much of the study of film focuses on 'Hollywood' style cinema, but you’ll also look at less commercial film-making from around the globe, challenging and pushing the medium to its limits.

You may have opportunities to study abroad and, if you wish, to do your third year as a placement - in Britain or abroad.* And in your final year, you'll get a chance to explore your interests in depth with a substantial piece of project work, building on the knowledge and skills you've been developing over previous years.

Our lively department is staffed by internationally renowned writers and critics, and there's a strong research culture, creating a learning environment that is both supportive and intellectually challenging. Manchester is a creative hub, with one of the biggest creative sectors in the UK; this, along with our extensive cultural links both in the city and further afield, means you’ll be ideally placed to begin building a creative network for the future.

This course has a foundation year available.

*Placement and/or study abroad options may be available, potentially extending the duration of study up to 4 years. Study abroad will be subject to any international travel restrictions and/or availability.

Features and Benefits

Explore both mainstream ‘Hollywood’ style cinema and less commercial screen work from around the globe.

Access to the many conferences, readings, research programmes, festivals and competitions run by the department.

We are a world-class English department — 70% of our research impact is rated as world-leading (REF21).

Staff include award-winning poets and writers, including winners of the Costa First Novel Award and the Ted Hughes Award.

Engage with the Manchester Children’s Book Festival, a year-long programme of events and activities.

We’ll help you build your own network among our many partners within the creative and culturally rich city of Manchester, a UNESCO City of Literature.

You can take the four-year route, spending a year studying abroad, or boost your career prospects with a placement in industry.