Studying the MSt in Film Aesthetics at the University of Oxford

[@radhikamodi803]

Thank you, this is so detailed! I am considering doing this course!

[@richardgray8763]

Many thanks for putting this together, Zachary. Incredibly thorough and exactly the kind of between the lines info one can't always get from course handbooks.

[@ZacharyXavier]

No worries, Richard. Happy to hear it was of some use!

[@IsatuBokumsVlogs]

I am in the process of applying for this course and this was very detailed and helpful. Thank you!

[@ZacharyXavier]

Glad it was helpful, Isatu!

[@nivaniii]

How did it go? 🫶🏽

[@IsatuBokumsVlogs]

@@nivaniii I unfortunately did not end up doing it. I instead did the Master in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Oxford. Then later proceeded to doing the Master in Public Policy which I am at the tail end of.

[@nivaniii]

@@IsatuBokumsVlogs I am very intrigued by the first study you did! How was the process of applying? And did you do any interviews? I live in Norway so it’s kinda scary to apply and move abroad! Also scared of the living and study costs🫣

[@IsatuBokumsVlogs]

@@nivaniii It was a great experience. I did not do interviews but just like any other program in Oxford, had to submit an application with a person statement, CV, etc. I didn’t program under scholarship and there are many scholarships in Oxford you could check out. Do not be afraid to apply. You have got this 🔥

[@SteffanRoeGriffiths]

Sounds interesting -- I'm thinking about applying :)

[@MouseCrew]

Hello! It’s been a while since you uploaded this, but hopefully you see this message :) I’m considering pursuing a DPhil in Film in Oxford and I would love to know, if possible of course, about any books that were fundamental or merely included in the syllabus for this MSt. I already have a solid background on film, but I’d like to read what this masters focuses on and what’s its approach to film. Thank you very much! :)

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi Aitor, thanks for your question. I've posted a full list of all the texts and films that were set for the 2019-20 MSt program on the Cinema Scholar website. The link to this is in the description of this video. I hope this helps, Zach

[@MouseCrew]

@@ZacharyXavier thank you very much zach!

[@hamzaelbergui4456]

You are the best bro my greeting to you from Morocco.

[@joeybarlowfilms]

Thanks for making this! I'm finishing off my application currently but I haven't been able to find much information about the course online other than what is available on the course website, so it's really interesting to hear from someone who has completed it. Can I ask, do you plan on continuing to study film at a tertiary level?

[@ZacharyXavier]

No worries, Joey. I don't have any plans to pursue a PhD in the immediate future, but it is something that I would consider undertaking in a few years time perhaps. Good luck with the application!

[@zahkeewilliams2735]

Hey Zach, i’m an undergraduate from the US majoring in film studies and my school has a partnership with Oxford where it may be possible for me to receive my masters upon graduating. If possible, would you be able to have a short conversation about your time in the program?

[@charlesdickson2647]

Can I get admission in mst oxford film if i done bsc in economics from best college in India. And my IELTS score is also not too good. Please reply .

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi Charles, I'm afraid I don't know. You can try asking the admissions team - I believe their email is listed on the course webpage. The link to this is in the description of this video.

[@EllieDavies-ih4nw]

This video was so helpful! I have found on the website a general overview of what they're looking for; however, what specific experience/skill set do they want in a candidate, e.g what job experience. If you have any advice on what needs to be achieved to become an outstanding candidate, that would be incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi Elle, The most important part of the application is your academic background, i.e. your grades, familiarity with studying film in an academic context, and ideally demonstrable knowledge of film aesthetics/ film-philosophy/analysing film form (or, at least, aesthetics as a branch of philosophy more broadly speaking). Even if you don’t come from a background in Film Studies (I was the only person in my cohort that majored in Film Studies as an undergraduate) you should find a way to demonstrate this in some way, e.g. maybe you wrote an essay comparing a novel to a film as an undergraduate that you can highlight in the personal statement. I doubt any work experience will make or break the application, but if its relevant to studying film in an academic context in any way, it will be a nice bonus to mention in the academic CV or personal statement, if relevant. Your transcript will speak for itself regarding your academic performance, and the personal statement is there for you to demonstrate your motivation behind applying to the course and demonstrate your familiarity with studying/potential to study film in an academic context, especially if you haven’t majored in Film Studies before. Hope this helps, and good luck with the application!

[@charlesdickson2647]

What exams and how much do i have to give to get into mst oxford film aesthetics???

[@kuntalghosh3366]

Sir, I'm from Kolkata (Calcutta) India, the city of Satyajit Ray and Rabindranath Tagore. I'm right now persuing in M.A Film Studies at Jadavpur University. I want to get an admission in The University of Oxford at Film Asthetics Course (MSt). So can you please tell me the eligibility criteria of an international student specially for Indian students for the admission? Love From Kolkata, India. ❤️💯

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi Kuntal, Thanks for your message. You can find the entry requirements on the course webpage. I've linked this in the video description. If you have any other questions regarding eligibility, please get in touch with the admissions team via the email also listed on that webpage. I can't provide advice on this topic. Best of luck, Zach

[@arthurchow7223]

Thank you very much for your sharing, how many classmates did you have? I mean how many student did they take? On their website showing: C.10, is that means 10 students?

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi Arthur, thanks for your comment. Yes, there were 10 students in my cohort, and I believe they select around 10 (+/- 1-2) each year. Best, Zach

[@bbybeejpeg]

Hi how did you structure your personal statement? :)

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi Bee, When I wrote my personal statement, I followed the instructions of what to include outlined on the webpage. Primarily, I addressed: why I was applying, my relevant experience and education, and the specific areas of research that interest me. I started with a general overview of my intention for applying, and honed in on specific examples within the main body that demonstrated: 1) That I know what the difference is between Film Aesthetics and Film Studies more broadly, and 2) that I have the relevant education and experience to back this up. I approached the main body as a story about how I became interested in Film Aesthetics specifically as an undergraduate studying Film. I ended the statement with a general overview of what I wanted to get out of the programme and what topics interested me most. Here, you don’t need a fully fleshed out idea for the dissertation or the essays, but it is a good idea to include what interests you at the very least. Hope this helps, and good luck with the application!

[@iamzimz14]

Hey! Thanks for the vid, do Oxford have Film phd students too or only the MA course?

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi imaniman, there are DPhil (PhD) students at Oxford researching film, but to do this you would have to apply through a related discpline e.g. DPhil in English, DPhil in French etc. There isn't a DPhil programme directly in Film I'm afraid. Hope this helps, Zach

[@imtiazahmed6393]

excellent

[@kushshah4035]

Hey zack (sorry for butchering the spelling of your name if I did), I'm slightly confused between an undergrad in film production and an undergrad in film studies, I've gotten into a few schools and need to make a decision. do share your thoughts on a film studies undergrad. Thanks!

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi Kush, Thanks for your message. Overall, studying Film Studies as an undergraduate will typically involve studying the various approaches to contemplating film and the history of the medium. Whereas, film production will be geared towards learning production techniques and putting those into practice. I've made a video going over what Film Studies is, and I touch on how it differs from studying film production. I'd recommend checking that one out first, and if you have any further questions about studying Film Studies as an undergraduate let me know. All best, Zach (no worries about the spelling)

[@sanaaelalaoui6491]

@cinema Scholar Thanks it was very useful. I would like to ask few questions that maybe you will be able to answer. First, I would like to ask about the university's funding (or funding organisations) ratio for this course. Second, can I include professional experience in the film industry (not theoretical but working in shoo-ins or directing a film), do you know it is useful or they will think its irrelevant. Thank you in advance

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi Sanaa, I'm afraid I don't know what the funding ratio is for this course. If it helps, there is a funding search on Oxford's website, which I believe lists all the available scholarships offered by the university that Film Aesthetics applicants can apply to. Regarding your professional experience, I would include it on the academic CV under work experience. You can briefly mention it in the personal statement too, but I would only do that if you can relate the experience back to studying film in an academic context, e.g. maybe it taught you certain things about film construction that informs how you analyse or write about films. Hope this helps, and good luck with the application!

[@boerchen4753]

Hi Zach, it is a wonderful video, thanks for sharing! Wonder if you have any suggestion about the colleges in Oxford? And I am also curious if there is interview before you get the offer?

[@ZacharyXavier]

Hi Boer, thank you for the comment. No, there isn't an interview at any stage of the application process. Regarding the colleges, it is really down to your own personal preference - the choice of college doesn't really affect the experience of the program. Hope this helps, Zach

[@freshramses]

Have an espresso or some sugar