Go to programs search

Overview

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.

$13,454
Net funding per year*
14
Enrolled students
100.0%
Graduation rate
2.3
Average years to completion
* 50% of students receive this amount of funding or more per year in the first 2 years after deducting tuition and fees.

What makes the program unique?

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 in the Department occasionally sponsors visiting scholars. UBC has the second largest research library in Canada, including the 30,000 Videomatica collection, a unique resource.

Program Enquiries

Still have questions after reviewing this page thoroughly?
Contact the program

Supervisor Search

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form.