Does it matter if I’ve never studied film studies before?
No. Whilst some students on the MA programme have studied film and/or media at school or, more commonly, taken further education courses in the subject, most have not studied the subject in any great depth prior to arriving at Birkbeck. The first term allows all students to take a general introduction course to provide a good grounding in the discipline, and to provide the foundation for more advanced study in the later sections of the programme. The first essay written for this course is purely diagnostic, allowing you the opportunity to become accustomed to presenting your research and ideas in an academic framework, and a chance to try different styles and approaches to writing.
