English & Film BA (Hons)



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The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

Course overview

Explore literature in its most modern context alongside film theory and criticism in this Joint Honours degree.

The BA (Hons) in English and Film degree will deepen your interest, understanding and knowledge of important texts, genres and concerns in literature from the Renaissance to the present, and film from the early twentieth-century to contemporary releases. You will study both literature and film across a wide and diverse area of cultural studies, including: popular culture, genre fiction and film, adaptation studies, TV studies, new media, creative writing, and socially-relevant modules examining cultural representations of crime, ecology, terrorism, global conflict and globalisation, imperialism, cultural heritage and more. You'll study English from exciting interdisciplinary perspectives and benefit from your lecturers' and tutors' deep literary knowledge and expertise.

You'll also gain a strong foundation in a range of global cinemas and literatures, including the theoretical and historical debates that have helped to shape our understanding of literature and film across the world.

This course will develop your critical and theoretical skills, and help prepare you for a career in a number of areas of the cultural and creative industries. The course provides the opportunity to study at a partner university overseas, or take a work placement in industry.

The BA (Hons) in English and Film is not a practical film-making course. However, the University does offer plenty of other practical courses in this area, in both film and television.

The BA (Hons) English and Film scored 100% for overall satisfaction in the 2026 National Student Survey (NSS).

Man talking whilst using his hands for gesturing whilst a woman listening stands behind him in a library

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

QP33

Course details

You'll explore genre, narrative, adaptation, film technology, documentary, experimental filmmaking and contemporary trends in film theory and criticism. You will study and analyse a range of diverse cinematic practices, as well as the social, political, cultural, historical and philosophical contexts within which films are produced.

English is studied from the Renaissance to the present day, providing a truly modern and interdisciplinary approach to literature. This will allow you to develop an appreciation of different genres and explore the value of literature in the modern world.

You'll have the opportunity to study film and literature side by side, across a range of modules and delve into debates around issues of genre, gender, class, war, sustainability, imperialism, national identity and practice.

A vibrant city with a great literary and cinematic heritage, Edinburgh offers a wonderful learning environment and plenty of relevant cultural events, such as the Edinburgh International Film Festival and International Book Festival.

This is a full-time course studied over four years.

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    How you’ll be taught

     Academic modules are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and independent study.
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    Assessments

     All of your modules are assessed by coursework, including: essays; video essays; presentations; creative writing options; reading diaries; online writing activities, such as blogs and discussions. There are no formal sit-down exams on modules offered by the English teaching team.
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    Work placement

    Our dedicated placement scheme offers the opportunity to:

    • Gain teaching experience in primary or secondary schools in Edinburgh
    • Participate in our award-winning partnership with the Scottish Prison Service
    • Apply for research project internships.
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    Study abroad

    Our study abroad schemes give you the opportunity to apply to study at foreign universities, including:

    • Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
    • Ryerson University Toronto, Canada.
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    Facilities

    This course is taught in person at our Merchiston campus.

Popular modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Meet your Programme Leader and Teaching Team

Throughout your studies, you'll learn from experienced professionals and industry leaders who bring valuable expertise, insight and real-world perspectives to your learning experience.

Programme Leader: Elsa Bouet.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for English and Film?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: ABBB including English or literary subject.
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BBBC including English or literary subject.

You may be given an Offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. For further information, see our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • BBC including English or literary subject.

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H2, H2, H3 at HL including English or literary subject.

HNC

  • Pass HNC in Media and Communications, Creative Industries: Media and Communication, Practical Journalism or Creative Industries: Television with grade B in the graded unit.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject, plus A Level English or literary subject at Grade C.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades D*D* (Distinction*, Distinction*) in a related subject, plus A Level English  or literary subject at Grade C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 29 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6,5,5 including English or literary subject.

T Level

  • Grade Merit
  • T Level must be completed in a English/literary subject or A Level English/literary subject may be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

*Literary subjects: Modern Studies, History, Psychology, RMPS, Latin, Sociology, Theology, Media Studies, Politics, Classics, Philosophy, Geography, A Level Government and Politics, A Level Classical Civilisation, A Level Drama 

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level. 

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2026/27 2027/28
Scotland £1,820 £tba
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,790 tba
Overseas and EU £18,220 tba

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers & employability

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Career opportunities include:

  • Writer
  • Teacher 
  • Publisher
  • Film Producer
  • Scriptwriter
  • Arts Administrator


Female student smiling for the camera at Freshers' Fair