What is MA Film Studies?
MA Film Studies is a 2 year long postgraduate course. It is generally studied by the candidates who want to know about the history of Indian and world cinema, learn about the various forms and techniques of cinematography, etc.
Most importantly, MA Film Studies candidates will be trained to critically analyse a cinematic piece through different aspects.
To be eligible for MA Film Studies, a candidate should be a graduate in any stream from a recognised institute or university. The minimum required aggregate marks ranges between 45-55%, and varies with colleges.
Read More: How to Become a Film Maker
The admission is mostly granted on the basis of marks scored in the last qualifying examination. Very rarely, the colleges may also conduct written examinations. However, most colleges conduct a Group Discussion and Personal Interview round before final selection.
See more: Top MA Film Studies Colleges in India
A limited number of colleges offer this course in India. Some of the most prominent colleges offering MA Film Studies are tabulated below.
| College Name | Location | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata | Merit Based for candidates above 50% aggregate marks in graduation | INR 12,000 | INR 19,96,000 |
| Mumbai University | Mumbai | Written Test + GD | INR 34,405 | INR 3,20,000 |
| Ambedkar University | Delhi | Written Test + PI | INR 59,760 | INR 3,00,000 |
| West Bengal State University | Barasat | Merit Based | INR 12,050 | INR 3,00,000 |
| Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University | Malappuram | Merit Based | INR 5,900 | INR 3,25,000 |
The average fees charged by the colleges for MA Film Studies in India ranges between INR 10,000 to 1,00,000. The government universities charge less fees than the private universities.
The candidates completing MA Film Studies get multiple employment options. They can work as Bloggers, Editors in Film Magazines, Film Critics, Script Writers, Production Managers, and many other roles.
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The average annual salary offered for MA Film Studies candidates ranges between INR 4,00,000 to 6,00,000.
After completing MA Film Studies, candidates can even do a PhD in Film Studies if they want.
Also, they can do individual courses in different aspects of film studies like Contemporary Cinema, Indian Cinema, Modern Cinema, etc.
What is the MA Film Studies Admission Process?
Admission to MA Film Studies in many colleges is merit based. But, many colleges conduct written tests, GDs and Personal Interviews for final selection.
Also, many colleges like Jadavpur University grant direct admission to candidates with good marks, but conduct an admission process for the rest.
See Also: MA Admission 2023
The admission process is briefly discussed below.
- Step 1: Application: The candidates will have to apply to the colleges. The application forms are usually available online.
- Step 2: Shortlisting of Candidates: The colleges will shortlist the candidates on the basis of marks in graduation. Accordingly, the students may either be given direct admission, or, the eligible candidates will be called for further rounds of selection.
- Step 3: Written Test: Some colleges take a written test of the shortlisted candidates. The questions are generally asked on various events, history and types of synema, along with some Aptitude and GK questions.
- Step 4: Group Discussion and Personal Interview: GD and PI rounds are generally common for admission to MA Film Studies course. These rounds check the communication skills, knowledge of the candidates and also the future plans of the candidates.
- Step 5: Enrollment: The candidates who clear all the rounds will be enrolled for the course.
What is the MA Film Studies Eligibility Criteria?
To be eligible for MA Film Studies, the candidates must qualify the following eligibility criteria.
- The candidates should be a graduate from a recognised university. They can be from any stream.
- The minimum required marks in graduation varies between 45% to 55%.
- Some colleges grant direct admissions to candidates with marks above 50% while conducting written tests for others.
Is There Any MA Film Studies Entrance Exam for Admission to?
There is no entrance exam for MA Film Studies course. However, some of the colleges like Mumbai University and Ambedkar University will conduct a written test of the shortlisted candidates before final selection.
See more: MA Film Studies Syllabus
How to Get Admission in Top MA Film Studies Colleges?
To get admission in top MA Film Studies colleges, the following points must be kept in mind.
- The candidates must score well in graduation. Sometimes, the candidates with higher marks are offered direct admission without further selection rounds.
- The candidates must increase their ideas on the history of films, all the major events in the history of cinema, and the major aspects of cinema. This will help them in cracking the written exams easily.
- The candidates must prepare well for the Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. They should work on their communication skills, behaviour and overall presentation.
- The candidates must be aware of all the important current affairs. They should regularly read newspapers for the same.
- The candidates must fill the application forms carefully and check that there are mistakes before submitting.
MA Film Studies: What is it About?
MA Film Studies discusses different types, forms, history and events of cinema in Great detail.
- MA Film Studies will let the students know about the forms of cinema, various mediums of cinema, and how cinema impacts our culture.
- Through this course the candidates will learn to analyse the script and sequences of a cinema, their overall impact and faults and beauty underlining in it.
- This will help them in mastering the film criticism through various technically correct and scientific approaches.
- The course will also teach the students about various procedures involved in film making, film editing, dubbing, Audio-visual effects, and other areas of film production.
- The candidates will be able to appreciate the relationship between the cinema and the society. They will also be able to understand how cinema evolved with time and become one of the major art forms.
- Along with the processes, the course will also discuss the various film theories and philosophy of cinema.
- After completing MA Film Studies course, the candidates will become completely aware of all the fundamentals of cinema, media and their importance.
MA Film Studies: Course Highlights
The major highlights of the MA Film Studies course have been tabulated below.
| Full-Form | Master of Arts in Film Studies |
| Level of Study | Post Graduate |
| Course Duration | 2 years |
| Eligibility | Graduate in any Stream |
| Admission Process | Mostly Merit Based |
| Examination type | Semester |
| Average Annual Fee | INR 10,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 4,00,000 to 6,00,000 |
| Job Options | Bloggers, Editors in Film Magazines, Film Critics, Script Writers, Production Managers in Film Studios, and many other roles |
| Areas of Employment | Newspapers, Magazines, Film Production House, etc. |
Why Study MA Film Studies?
You should consider studying MA Film Studies because of the following reasons.
- The candidates who are really passionate about knowing the history of cinema, the evolution of cinema with time, should consider studying this course.
- The candidates studying this course will have a deep knowledge of every process involved in filming. So, these candidates can easily work as Production Managers, assistant Production Managers and similar jobs in various film studios.
- The candidates will also learn to critically analyse a movie, so these candidates will easily get work as film critics in various newspapers, film blogs and magazines.
- Also, the candidates can start their own blogs, or work as editors in various websites publishing film related news.
- The salary offered to MA Film Studies candidates is quite good. The candidates get an average salary of INR 4,00,000 to 6,00,000 per annum.
- Not only this, the candidates who want to write their own books on film industries and other film related aspects, will find this course extremely beneficial.
See more: MA Film Studies Jobs
Course Comparison: MA Film Studies vs MA Film Making
While MA Film Studies give equal importance to every aspect of cinema, MA Film Making gives main emphasis to the various processes involved in the making of the film. The two courses have been compared in the table below.
| Parameters | MA Film Studies | MA Film Making |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Master of Arts in Film Studies | Master of Arts in Filmmaking |
| Overview | This course involves a detailed study of History, Evolution, Forms, Medium, Style and Impact of cinema, along with the processes involved in film making. | This course largely concentrates on the processes involved in the making of film, along with the various art forms involved in film making, various techniques such as effects, setups, etc. |
| Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
| Eligibility | Graduate in any Stream | Graduate in any Stream |
| Admission Process | Mostly Merit Based | Merit Based |
| Examination Type | Semester | Semester |
| Top Colleges | Jadavpur University, Ambedkar University, etc. | Manipal Academy of Higher Education |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 10,000 to 1,00,000 | INR 1,25,000 |
| Job Profiles | Bloggers, Editors in Film Magazines, Film Critics, Script Writers, Production Managers in Film Studios, and many other roles | Production Managers in Film Studios, Assistant Producers, Assistant Directors, etc. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4,00,000 to 6,00,000 | INR 5,00,000 to 8,00,000 |
Which are the Top MA Film Studies Colleges?
The MA Film Studies course is not offered by too many colleges in India. The colleges offering this course have been tabulated below.
| College Name | Average Annual Fees | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Jadavpur University | INR 12,000 | INR 19,96,000 |
| Mumbai University | INR 34,405 | INR 3,20,000 |
| Ambedkar University | INR 59,760 | INR 3,00,000 |
| West Bengal State University | INR 12,050 | INR 3,00,000 |
| Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University | INR 5,900 | INR 3,25,000 |
| Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University | INR 67,000 | INR 3,00,000 |
MA Film Studies: College Comparison
The top universities offering MA Film Studies have been compared in the table below on the basis of parameters like fees, placement, etc.
| Parameters | Jadavpur University | Mumbai University | Ambedkar University |
| Overview | Jadavpur University is a reputed University in West Bengal. It is one of top 15 universities in India and one of the best deemed universities according to NIRF University Rankings. It is particularly famous for its Engineering and Science courses, though it offers courses in multiple disciplines. | Mumbai University is a reputed public university in Maharashtra. It is ranked in top 100 universities in India by NIRF. It offers Multidisciplinary courses across Engineering, Management, Science, Filming, Media Sciences and many other disciplines. It is also one of the oldest universities in India. | Ambedkar University was established in the memory of BR Ambedkar. It is one of the recent state universities in Delhi. It started functioning in 2008. Currently, it offers BA, BVoc, MA, MDes courses in many specializations. It is a NAAC A graded institute with a 'Very Good' score of 3.2 out of 4. |
| NIRF University Ranking | 05 | 65 | - |
| Location | Kolkata | Mumbai | Delhi |
| Admission Process | Merit Based / Written Test | Written Test + GD | Written Test + PI |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 12,000 | INR 34,405 | INR 59,760 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 19,96,000 | INR 3,20,000 | INR 3,00,000 |
| Top Recruiters | Wipro, Samsung, Oracle, Reliance, Abode, etc. | LG Electronics, Amazon, Hero Motocorp, Reliance, etc. | Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Ameriprise Financial, Indian Oil, etc. |
What is the MA Film Studies Syllabus?
The MA Film Studies course is divided into 4 semesters. The semester wise breakup of the subjects taught in MA Film Studies course is tabulated below.
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Film Language: Introduction to Practical Criticism | Film Theory 1 |
| Early Film Forms | Cinematic Realism in Global Context |
| Non-Fiction Film | Indian Cinema: Industry and Popular Forms |
| Hollywood Cinema and Its Peripheries | New Waves across the World |
| Evolution of Cinema as Art | Facets of Indian Cinema |
| Sequence and Script Analysis | Basics of Filmmaking |
| Basics of Visual and Sound Images | Contemporary Critical Theory |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Film Theory 2 | Globalization, Culture and New Media |
| Indian Cinema: Alternative Practices | Film Theory 3 |
| Television and Popular Culture in India | Contemporary Asian Cinema |
| Practical Filmmaking | Media Theory |
| Sound and Music in Cinema | Stardom and Commerce |
| Subject and Sensorium | Images and Signs in Cinema |
| Psyche and Screen | Dissertation |
Which Are the MA Film Studies Important Books?
Some of the important books included in the syllabus of MA Film Studies course are tabulated below along with their Authors name.
| Name of the Book | Name of the Author |
|---|---|
| Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film | Seymour Chatman |
| Film and Attraction | Andre Gaudreault |
| Film Theory: An Introduction | Robert Stam |
| A Thesis on Neorealism | Cesare Zavattini |
| Icons and Events: Reinventing Visual Construction in Cinema in India | Gayatri Chatterjee |
| Programming: Distribution and Flow | Raymond Williams |
| Passionate Detachments: An Introduction to Feminist Film Theory | Sue Thornham |
Which are the MA Film Studies Job Profiles?
The major job profiles offered to MA Film Studies candidates along with average annual salary are tabulated below.
| Job Profiles | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Film Editor | Film editors edit the shooted sequences and pack them together to make the complete film. They also add audios and visual effects wherever required. | INR 4,90,000 |
| Film Critic | Film critics criticise the movies from different angles. They also analyse the movies and try to explain them in easily understandable words. | INR 4,30,000 |
| Blog Writer | Blog writers write blogs, which can be news blogs, discussion blogs or informative blogs, on the various film related topics. | INR 3,00,000 |
| Newspaper Columnist | Newspaper columnists write newspaper columns. They write about the latest news and development, and sometimes give their opinions on different topics. | INR 3,50,000 |
| Production Manager | Production Manager is an important position in any project. They handle almost all the activities going on in a film set and ensure that all the film making processes are carried on smoothly. | INR 3,60,000 |
| Motion Graphic Designer | Motion Graphic Designers design the motion graphics in a movie. They are usually skilled in VFX, 2D and 3D Animation. | INR 4,10,000 |
| Script Writer | Script writers write the script of the movie. They are one of the most important persons involved in the filmmaking process. | INR 5,00,000 |
What is the MA Film Studies Future Scope?
After completing MA Film Studies, the following future Scopes and Further Studies Options are available to the candidates.
- They can do PhD in Film Studies after completing their MA in Film Studies. PhD in Film Studies is offered by a very limited number of colleges in India. Jadavpur University is one of the renowned colleges offering this course.
- The admission to PhD Film Studies is either on the basis of Entrance Exams like UGC-NET or direct merit based.
- If the candidates wish to do their personal research, they can do so and publish their results in magazines, or even publish their own books.
- They can also start their own film blogs and websites.
MA Film Studies: FAQs
Ques. Do any college in Mumbai offer any postgraduate course in Film Studies?
Ques. What is the average annual salary offered to MA Film Studies candidates in India?
Ques. What type of questions are asked in written exams for admission to MA Film Studies?
Ques. Can I do a PhD in Film Studies after completing MA? Is such a course offered by any university in India?
Ques. Will I get any job in the firm industry after completing MA Film Studies?
Ques. Is it compulsory to study MA in Film Studies to become a Film Critic?
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