Program Overview

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Film & Visual Culture and Philosophy, MA

Introduction

Film & Visual Culture and Philosophy at Aberdeen adds to your rigorous training in the history and theory of the moving image in the 21st century with a fascinating exploration of how we as humans approach the ‘big questions’ of fundamental importance to us throughout the ages to the present day. Combined with your specialist studies, the intellectual skills you will develop will make you a very attractive graduate with wide career options, including business.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: WV65

Our unique Film and Visual Culture programme combines close analysis of visual objects and artefacts – analogue and digital, moving and still, underground and mainstream – with theories of visual representation, production and circulation. You will gain specialist knowledge and skills in the academic study of cinema, with an emphasis on building analytical skills in research and critical writing. You will also have the opportunity to develop skills in digital video production and web design.

Philosophers attempt to answer questions such as: What is knowledge? What is the nature of truth? Why should we act morally? Philosophy is just as much the study of reasoning and argument as it is the application of thought to specific problems. What makes Philosophy at Aberdeen especially attractive is the breadth of courses, the user-friendly materials you will use, and the experts who will teach you. In your first year alone, you will study topics such as How Should One Live? Controversial Questions, and Experience, Knowledge and Reality.

Your specialist film studies will prepare you for a career in film, new media or creative arts and the intellectual skills you will develop through studying philosophy will make you a very attractive graduate for a range of career options, including in business.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Introduction to Visual Culture (FS1008)
  • Introduction to Film and the Cinematic Experience (FS1508)
  • Experience, Knowledge and Reality (PH1023)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select TWO from the following:
    • Controversial Questions (PH1027)
    • How Should One Live? (PH1522)
    • Logic and Argument (PH1034)
    • Environmental Ethics (PH1537)
  • Plus select further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Visualising Modernity (FS2007)
  • Visualising Revolution (FS2507)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points, of which at least 45 credits must be from level 2 Philosophy courses.

Year 3

• Optional Courses:
  • Select 60 credit points from available Film and Visual Culture courses and level 3 Philosophy courses.

Year 4

• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following dissertation options:
    • Dissertation in Film & Visual Culture (FS4506)
    • Dissertation in Film & Visual Culture (FS4002)
    • Philosophy Dissertation (PH402D)
  • Select further credit points from level 4 courses in Film & Visual Culture and Philosophy to make up 60 credit points in each discipline.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Film & Visual Culture and Philosophy?

Why Film & Visual Culture

• A curriculum which perfectly balances creativity with broad study, theory and critical analysis as you learn to think within the movements of cinema, and pursue questions beyond the film frame.
• The George Washington Wilson Centre for Visual Culture, promoting interest and organising events in visual culture, including film, photography, art history, anthropology and museum studies.
• A programme which also looks at the practical elements of film and visual culture, including the production and circulation of film.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library provides a stunning, iconic and inspiring study environment with state-of-the-art learning technology and reference works on film and visual culture.
• Strong emphasis on applied learning as well as theory, so you develop a range of practical skills that will give you a good grounding in your future career.
• An exciting and flourishing cultural scene in north-east Scotland.
• A packed campus programme of student and public events, exhibitions, seminars, café discussions and film showings. The Department has recently welcomed guests such as Ruth Beckermann, Mania Akbari, Phil Méheux, Martine Beswick and Ian McCulloch.
• Our popular Director’s Cut series which ran from 2007 to 2019 saw a range of filmmakers giving talks here, including Raúl Ruiz, Sir David Attenborough, Pawel Pawlikowski, David Mackenzie, Simon Callow, Gurinder Chadha, Mark Cousins and Jon S. Baird.

Why Philosophy

• Famous philosophers who worked at the University include Thomas Reid, founder of the 18th century Scottish School of Common Sense Philosophy, and Alexander Bain, who helped lay the foundations for modern scientific psychology.
• The Aberdeen Philosophy in Education Group (APEG), which is unique in Scotland, trains students to discuss philosophical questions with local primary and secondary school pupils.
• Café Philosophique brings philosophers and the local community together, using popular films and novels to explore philosophical puzzles in an informal atmosphere.
• The Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science, Technology and Medicine acts as the focus for research, teaching and engagement in the history, philosophy, ethics, literature and museology of science, technology and medicine.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library offers superb collections, including early printed works of natural philosophy and medicine, the archives of Thomas Reid, and records of the Aberdeen Philosophical Society.
• We offer a packed programme of public events, lectures and debates, including the annual WayWORD literary festival, which attracts high-profile scientists, scholars, authors, actors and broadcasters to discuss and debate the big issues of today.
• The skills you learn in Philosophy—for example, to think and write clearly, to explain complex ideas, to challenge orthodoxy—lend themselves to many careers.
• Studying Philosophy will change how you think about things and how you approach life's challenges.
• Philosophy is interesting! Students from all disciplines often report that studying Philosophy was the most rewarding experience of their studies.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

Fees and Funding

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £20,800
• Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme.
• Home Students: £1,820

Careers

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

• More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen
• More information on the Careers and Employability Service

Our Experts

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change.

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Film and Visual Culture and Philosophy at University of Aberdeen

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