Master of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies

About this programme

The two-year M.A. program offers students the opportunity to pursue Cinema and Media Studies through coursework and an M.A. thesis project. Students are expected to give primary attention to an area of expertise of their choice while training in the broader theoretical, critical, and historical contexts of the field. The MA was renamed to “Cinema and Media Studies” from “Film Studies” for the cohort entering in September 2019. UBC’s MA in Film Studies existed between 1984 and 2018 and graduated nearly 50 students in that time. Faculty research specialties include strengths in contemporary cinemas and media culture, one that highlights media and film theory, cult cinema, documentary studies, early cinema, feminist and post-feminist media studies, American, Canadian and European cinemas, television studies, and sound studies. There are particular strengths in contemporary Anglophone cinema and television products and cultures within a global context. Our students occasionally engage with professors and students in our renowned directing, design and film production graduate programs. For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website As a selective boutique program, we provide close mentorship of all accepted students. We are usually able to provide teaching assistant experience to MA students in our large first and second year undergraduate courses. Graduate students have the opportunity to work on the film studies journal Cinephile. The Visual Resources Centre provides access to nearly 10,000 DVDs. The Centre for Cinema and Media Studies