Written work requirements
Some courses require a sample of your written work to demonstrate your suitability.
Departmental requirements
Details of what to include in your sample of written work will be provided during the application process. Not all courses require written work as part of your application. Please check the relevant course page for further information.
Where a sample of your written work is needed, it will be assessed for your analytical and critical thinking skills; your ability to construct and defend an argument and your powers of expression.
To help you to prepare before you start your application, you can find out about course-specific requirements below.
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Got a question about applying to York? Email our friendly Admissions Team for advice and support.
If you've already applied to study at York please use You@York to upload any documents. Please do not email documents to us.
Postgraduate Admissions
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Supply at least two examples of your recent written work.
These may be essays which you have written recently for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York.
The examples you supply should be on topics which are relevant to the subject of your proposed course of study.
MA Eighteenth Century Studies
Supply two examples of your recent written work.
These may be essays which you have written for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York.
The examples you supply should be literary critical essays rather than creative writing and preferably on topics which are relevant to your proposed course of study.
We are looking for self-directed high-quality work which shows that you are suitably prepared for postgraduate study.
Your essays should be long enough to build an argument, but not too long (typically six to ten pages double spaced is recommended). The best essays have:
- a clear argument, built by using good materials and examples to back up your points
- engagement with existing scholarly work
- accurate references
- a clear conclusion.
It is usually better to select of piece of work written later in your degree, as this will be your strongest work.
A section from a research essay or dissertation might be ideal, but don't send the whole work.
Select a good six to ten-page section and give a very brief introduction explaining how this section fits into the bigger work.
Supply two examples of your recent written work.
These may be essays which you have written for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York. The examples you supply should be literary critical essays rather than creative writing and preferably on topics which are relevant to your proposed course of study.
We are looking for self-directed high-quality work which shows that you are suitably prepared for postgraduate study.
Your essays should be long enough to build an argument, but not too long (typically six to ten pages double spaced is recommended). The best essays have:
- a clear argument, built by using good materials and examples to back up your points
- engagement with existing scholarly work
- accurate references
- a clear conclusion.
It is usually better to select of piece of work written later in your degree, as this will be your strongest work.
A section from a research essay or dissertation might be ideal, but don't send the whole work.
Select a good six to ten-page section and give a very brief introduction explaining how this section fits into the bigger work.
Supply at least two examples of your recent written work.
These may be essays which you have written recently for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York.
The examples you supply should be on topics which are relevant to the subject of your proposed course of study.
MA Renaissance and Early Modern Studies
Supply at least two examples of your recent written work.
These may be essays which you have written recently for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York. The examples you supply should be on topics which are relevant to the subject of your proposed course of study. Ideally, at least one will relate to the Renaissance and Early Modern period.
MA History of Art and pathway degrees
You should submit one sample of academic-style writing, maximum 1,500 words in length.
Where possible the subject matter should concern art history, but if your background lies in other areas, we would welcome work in another field such as literature, history or other subjects. The writing sample should:
- demonstrate your command of the subject
- have an argument
- engage with primary sources (such as a work of art or architecture) and with specialist scholarship.
The writing sample should have a scholarly apparatus (including footnotes, bibliography, and a list of illustrations); this apparatus does not count towards the word count.
Your writing sample might typically be an excerpt from a previous essay or dissertation, or a new text written specially for the application. If you are submitting an excerpt from a longer piece of writing, please add a note at the start to clarify the context from which it is taken.
If you have any questions or concerns about the writing sample, please feel free to contact the Graduate Chair in History of Art for advice.
Please note that if you submit your writing sample electronically, you may need to remove digital images from your work so that the file size does not surpass 1MB. We will read art-historical writing samples without images so long as your text indicates which images were originally included in a list of illustrations.
MA Stained Glass Conservation & Heritage Management
The written sample for the MA in Stained Glass Conservation & Heritage Management does not have to be on a stained glass topic, but needs to show use of scholarly mechanisms and an ability to construct arguments.
MA Medieval Studies
You should include two essays as part of your application.
Your essays should be long enough to build an argument, but not too long (typically six to ten pages double spaced is recommended).
The best essays have:
- a clear argument, built by using good materials and examples to back up your points
- engagement with existing scholarly work
- accurate references
- a clear conclusion.
Your essays can be from the same or from different disciplines, ie one from literature and one from art history; but one must be on a medieval topic.
It is usually better to select pieces of work written later in your degree rather than your first year.
You may even choose to write an essay specifically for the application, especially if you've been out of education for many years.
A section from a research essay or dissertation might be ideal, but don't send the whole work.
Select a good six to ten-page section and give a very brief introduction explaining how this section fits into the bigger work.
MA Culture and Thought after 1945
You should include two examples of your recent written work which demonstrate some links to the MA content.
They should be at least 3,000 words in length but not significantly more.
You may write something specifically for this application if you wish.
MA Music Production and Audio Cultures
Provide a short portfolio of extracts (no longer than five minutes) of some of your previous work in music production.
You can attach an mp3 (320kb/s) file along with your application, or you can provide a text document containing an external download link for your portfolio (in mp3 320kb/s or higher resolution formats).
Please also provide a short written statement (maximum 500 words) describing the portfolio items and how they were produced. Also, provide in under 500 words a short written statement describing the musicianship, scholarship or research that is relevant to the production work that you wish to do.
MA Music: Composition
You will need to attach scores or a link to a portfolio of 2-3 recent compositions for different forces which demonstrate your ability as a composer. Scores in PDF format, and recordings of these if available. If the music is solely electronic then no score is required.
MA Music: Composition for Film and Television
Attach a link to a portfolio of 2-3 samples of your compositions for screen media.
You should also submit a notated score in pdf format for at least one of these where possible. If you have worked exclusively with software/programs for your submitted work for the application, additionally submit a pdf score of a notated piece which can be in any genre or instrumentation and which can be an original work or an arrangement.
MA Music Education with Performance
You should submit evidence of your performing and writing ability.
You should provide a link to an online video recording of about 10 to 15 minutes of yourself performing a varied repertoire of Western art music; this should include 2-3 contrasting pieces of music by different composers.
In a short essay of 750-1000 words, consider selected key points relating to one of the pieces you have chosen for your video recording. This could include, for example, historical detail about the composer and musical work, consideration of other performers' recordings that informed your playing, and relevant points relating to the work's structure. Your essay should refer to academic scholarship (journal articles/book chapters) and include a reference list.
MA Music Performance: Historical Performance Practices
You should provide a link to an online video recording of about 10 to 15 minutes of yourself performing a varied repertoire that includes a piece of Baroque or Classical music. You should also provide a one page statement describing why you want to study historical performance practices and what your specific area of interest is.
MA Music Performance: Piano Studies
You should provide a link to an online video recording of about 10 to 15 minutes of yourself performing a varied repertoire of Western art music; this should include two to three contrasting pieces of music by different composers.
MA Music Performance: Solo Voice Ensemble Singing
You can apply as a pre-formed group, or as an individual. In either case, the process starts by contacting Robert Hollingworth and providing a short CV plus some audio or video evidence of your voice (in Western Art Music) - normally solo voice but consort performance is also fine. Do not make the online application until you have been asked to do so.
We will match you with other candidates if you are invited to apply for the course. If you're on different continents, each singer will be encouraged to video-record two pieces (either solo or in consort with others) and make them available to the other singers so that each of you has a proper chance to listen to your colleagues in advance.
MA Music Performance: Vocal Studies
You should provide a link to an online video recording of about 10 to 15 minutes of yourself performing a varied repertoire of Western art music; this should include two to three contrasting pieces of music by different composers.
A variety of languages may be shown. The repertoire must include Western Art Music, though in addition to this musical theatre repertoire may be included. Pop music will not be covered by the course.
MA Musicology
If you wish to specialise in musicology please supply a sample academic essay with referencing on a music-related subject of your choice.
MA Philosophy
Please supply a 2,000- to 4,000-word essay written on a philosophical theme. This could be an essay written for a previous Philosophy degree.
MA in Film and Television Production with Cinematography
Applicants to this programme must have prior experience working in cameras or lighting for film, television or video productions.
To accompany your application, please send us a PDF or Word document containing weblinks to you film/TV project examples that can be easily accessed online via (e.g) YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo, or any other such file sharing/streaming service.
All portfolio links must also be supported by clearly stating your role on each project (e.g. cinematographer, camera operator, camera assistant, gaffer, etc) and you must also describe your work on the project in one short paragraph for each project shared. Please also state whether if any project was one you initiated or one that was part of a group exercise, and for what purposes (e.g. university project, professional work, etc) and a brief description of your specific creative objectives for it. Where you performed the role of cinematographer for any project provided in the portfolio, please also provide further evidence of your development work, which could include annotated script notes/breakdowns, mood boards, location stills, storyboards, behind the scenes footage or photographs, etc. This supporting portfolio document will allow us to better assess your overall filmmaking skills and abilities so please highlight the work you carried out in clear detail for us to better identify your suitability for this programme.
Your portfolio film/TV weblink examples must include samples of cinematography wherever possible to further demonstrate your creative and technical talent and ambition in or around this specialism. Your portfolio projects must clearly state production credits for your name to be identified (in English where possible) and your supporting portfolio document (see above) must explain why any credits aren't available where applicable for each project shared.
It is not essential to send multiple examples of work – just send examples of recent work that you consider your strongest creative work in this discipline. We prefer quality over quantity in your application. At least one portfolio piece should be a completed film you had a key role in creating as a cinematographer. Complete films or short edited scenes you've made are often preferred for showing off your storytelling abilities in film/TV but we can also review showreels if submitted. If you have a personal website please also share this link for us to view your materials if this is more convenient for you.
If you have difficulties uploading any files requested for your application, please contact us by email and we will assist you. Please note that we cannot accept physical media as part of your submission.
MA in Film and Television Production with Directing
Applicants to this programme must have prior experience in directing film, television or video.
To accompany your application, please send us a Word or PDF portfolio document with web links to your sample directing work so we can view it online, ie, through YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, etc. To demonstrate your directorial process, your portfolio must also be accompanied by evidence in the form of storyboards, annotated scripts, moodboards, casting tapes/actors CVs, locations stills, behind the scenes footage or photographs, etc, for example.
Please note that we cannot accept physical media. Sample projects should be recent work that demonstrates your talent and ambition and can be in any genre (narrative, non-fiction, animation, etc). You may also include a link to a showreel so long as you include a link to at least one entire project as well. We consider quality over quantity so please only send links to your best work. If you have difficulties uploading to your application, please contact us by email and we will assist.
In a separate Word or PDF document, please give details for each project listed in your portfolio document including your specific role(s) in the creation of it, whether it was a project you initiated or one that was part of a group exercise, and a brief description of your specific creative objectives for it. This will allow us to better assess your filmmaking skills and abilities.
MA in Film and Television Production with Editing
Applicants to this programme must have prior experience in film, television or video editing.
To accompany your application, please send us a Word or PDF portfolio document with web links to your sample editing portfolio so we can view it online, ie through YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, etc. Please note that we cannot accept physical media.
Sample projects should be recent work that demonstrates your talent and ambition and can be in any genre (narrative, non-fiction, animation, etc). You may also include a link to a showreel so long as you include a link to at least one entire project as well.
We consider quality over quantity so please only send links to your best work. If you have difficulties uploading to your application, please contact us by email and we will assist.
In a separate Word or PDF document, please give details for each project listed in your portfolio document including your specific role(s) and a brief description of your working process such as software used. Include information about any specific creative objectives you had for the work. This will allow us to better assess your editing skills and abilities
MA in Film and Television Production with Producing
Ideally, you'll have some experience of film, television or video production. However, we will consider applicants with experience in other performance arts or media, eg theatre, music, etc, who have an interest in producing. In all cases, we want to see examples of your media production work and details about your specific role in creating it.
To accompany your application, please send us a Word or PDF document with web links to your work, eg YouTube, Vimeo, DropBox, etc so we can view it directly (we cannot accept physical media). These sample projects can be in any genre (narrative, non-fiction, animation, etc) and should demonstrate your talent and ambition. We prefer to see entire works but you may also include a link to a showreel so long as you include a link to at least one entire project as well. If you have difficulties uploading, please email us and we will assist you.
In a separate Word or PDF document, please describe your specific role in the creation of each project, eg producer, production manager, director, etc and indicate whether the project was one you initiated or part of a group exercise. This will allow us to better assess your filmmaking skills and abilities.
MA in Film and Television Production with Sound
Alongside your application, please include a short portfolio of up to three pieces that highlight your best creative work. This could include samples of sound design-related work in which you have been involved. Examples are: short films, television or video programmes with an original soundtrack, sound or music recordings, audio applications you have programmed, etc.
You must also provide a written document (Word or PDF and filling no more than one page in length) that clearly describes what role you carried out in creating the projects provided in your portfolio work. In this supporting document you must clearly state your role on each project, eg Recording/mix engineer, Sound designer, Audio Programmer, etc. and provide a brief account of what you did within this role to achieve the creative work.
You should embed links to viewable files on online sharing platforms, eg YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc for each project submitted to help your application. The supporting document submitted alongside your portfolio submission will allow us to better assess your audio production and postproduction skills and abilities so please describe the work you carried out in clear detail for us to better identify your suitability for this programme.
If you have difficulties uploading, please contact us by email and we will assist you.
MA in Theatre-Making
You must include one piece of recent written work for your application.
This should be a piece of analytical writing of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 words. It may be:
- an essay that you have written for a present or past course
- material you've prepared for some other purpose
- something you have written especially for your application to York.
Additionally, you may choose to submit a recording of some recent creative work, eg an acting or directing project. Upload a document to your application via You@York with links where we may view your work. Sharing websites like YouTube, Vimeo and OneDrive are recommended.
MSc in Film and Television Production with Sound
Alongside your application, please include a short portfolio of up to three pieces that highlight your best creative work. This could include samples of sound design-related work in which you have been involved. Examples are: short films, television or video programmes with an original soundtrack, sound or music recordings, audio applications you have programmed, etc.
You must also provide a written document (Word or PDF and filling no more than one page in length) that clearly describes what role you carried out in creating the projects provided in your portfolio work. In this supporting document you must clearly state your role on each project, eg Recording/mix engineer, Sound designer, Audio Programmer, etc and provide a brief account of what you did within this role to achieve the creative work.
You should embed links to viewable files on online sharing platforms, eg YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc for each project submitted to help your application. The supporting document submitted alongside your portfolio submission will allow us to better assess your audio production and postproduction skills and abilities so please describe the work you carried out in clear detail for us to better identify your suitability for this programme.
If you have difficulties uploading, please contact us by email and we will assist you.
Contact us
Got a question about applying to York? Email our friendly Admissions Team for advice and support.
If you've already applied to study at York please use You@York to upload any documents. Please do not email documents to us.
Postgraduate Admissions