Cinema & Media Studies

Cinema & Media Studies

The MA in Cinema & Media Studies immerses students in a two-year program of study that nurtures students’ academic and professional goals. A wide range of required and elective courses enhances the range and depth of students’ skills and knowledge.

The PhD in Cinema & Media Studies, incorporating theoretical, historical and critical approaches to visual media, is designed to encompass a variety of methodological frameworks, cultural practices, and historiographic models.

This humanities-based interdisciplinary program will help students to acquire comprehensive knowledge of cinema and media theory, history, and criticism. Along with developing essential research and teaching skills, students will participate in the rich research culture of the University and develop a doctoral dissertation that will make a significant contribution to the discipline. Research, teaching, participation in international colloquia, as well as publishing and other forms of professional academic development are key components of this rigorous minimum four-year degree.

The PhD in Cinema and Media Studies prepares students for academic and research careers in cinema and media studies along with related fields in cultural and communications studies.

Choose York:

  • Our tradition: York’s Graduate Program in Film was the first of its kind in Canada.
  • Eleven full time core Cinema & Media Studies faculty members, including two Canada Research Chairs. In addition, 12 full-time faculty teaching Production & Screenwriting make our MFA program the most innovative in Canada.
  • The Sound and Moving Image Library at York is one of the largest in Canada
  • Scott Library features excellent print and electronic resources in cinema and media studies
  • York’s Clara Thomas Archives includes numerous film-related collections
  • York Film faculty run respected journals CineAction and Public: Art/Culture/Ideas
  • York’s teaching and graduate assistants are the best paid in Canada and York offers generous admission and continuing student scholarships.
  • Toronto is the film capital of English Canada, home to more than 100 film festivals cinematheques, film and video archives, distributors, resource centers and film industry personnel and studios.
  • Many visiting filmmakers, scholars, and artists present film and lectures at York and in the greater Toronto area.
     
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Degrees Offered

MA

Program Length (Full-time)

5 term(s)

Program Component(s)

  • Major research paper
  • OR Thesis

Minimum Required GPA

B

Fall Entry

  • Full-time
  • Part-time

Deadline - Fall (Domestic Applicants Only)

2024-01-15

Deadline - Fall (International Applicants Only)

2023-12-15

English Proficiency Requirement

Minimum TOEFL (Paper-based)600
Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based)100
IELTS (Academic Module)7.5
YUELIAcademic Program Level 9 with Distinction
YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP)Graduate with distinction
CAELOverall score of 70, no component score less than 60
Minimum CPE ScoreC
Minimum CAE ScoreB
Duolingo140
PTE Academic76

PhD

Program Component(s)

  • Course work
  • AND Comprehensive examination(s)
  • AND Dissertation

Minimum Required GPA

B+

Fall Entry

  • Full-time
  • Part-time

Deadline - Fall (Domestic Applicants Only)

2024-01-15

Deadline - Fall (International Applicants Only)

2023-12-15

English Proficiency Requirement

Minimum TOEFL (Paper-based)600
Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based)100
IELTS (Academic Module)7.5
YUELIAcademic Program Level 9 with Distinction
YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP)Graduate with distinction
CAELOverall score of 70, no component score less than 60
Minimum CPE ScoreC
Minimum CAE ScoreB
Duolingo140
PTE Academic76

Additional Admission Requirements

Number of Recommendation(s)

  • 3 recommendation(s)

Other Requirements

  • MA
    • Thesis proposal (500 words)
    • Statement of interest (500 words)
    • Resumé or CV, including a list of courses you have taken in film and related disciplines (e.g. theatre, visual arts, cultural studies, communications) and the grades that you received.
    • Two scholarly essays (max. 7,500 words) with an indication of the course(s) for which the sample was written.
  • PhD
    • Statement of interest incorporating proposed dissertation topic (500 to 1,000 words)
    • Resumé or CV, including a list of courses you have taken in cinema and media studies and related disciplines (e.g. theatre, visual arts, cultural studies, communications) and relevant experiences and accomplishments.
    • Two scholarly essays (max. 7,500 words) with an indication of the course(s) for which the sample was written.