This multi-disciplinary course explores film and media from historical, critical and cultural perspectives. The course aims to encourage students to understand the central role of the media in shaping contemporary culture and the communicative practices involved in this process. The course develops analytical skills which are highly valued by employers in a modern economy in which media plays a central role. This is predominantly a theoretical course but there are practical options available. After Year One you tailor your programme from a wide selection of options available according to your interests and the range of skills that you wish to develop. There is a variety of employability modules offered which complement the learning of your subject skills. Opportunities exist to follow work-related modules, do work experience, and study abroad in Year Two.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Specific entry requirements for BA(Hons) Film and Media Studies are:

240 - 260 points at A2, plus GCSE English.
BTEC : MMM

Course Content

The course consists of a wide range of modules, some of which are compulsory and others which are optional. There are 60 modules available on the programme. In Year One, the Core double module, Understanding Film & Media is compulsory, as is That X-Factor. You can choose your other modules from film, broadcasting, or modules which combine media, such as Consumer Culture and the Media. If you wish, you can do a practical module, such as Introduction to Film Production.

At Level 1, students concentrate on developing analytical skills and engaging with theories. The purpose of Year One is to provide a link from previous study to university expectations. It enables the transition into a regime of independent study, which is, strategically, supported by a variety of mechanisms, such as the Year One Core and X-Factor module,( which is a study skills/ tutorial module where you work in a very small group with your tutor to learn to think and write like a degree student). The Core is designed to expand areas of film and media with which you might  already be familiar. It starts you off on the process of questioning what you already know. Equally, the core module provides a background for students who have not studied film or media in specific detail. There are also options available to start your specialisation in film or media.

At Levels 2 and 3 students are able to focus on areas which are of particular interest to them. You can specialise within a range of topic choices, such as film, broadcasting, popular culture, football, popular music, or employment-specific options. For an indication of the topics, please look at the relevant section of the ‘Course at a glance’ listings (below). In Year Three you are able to continue to create your own programme of study by choosing modules which appeal to your own interests. In addition, you complete a dissertation on a topic you choose in consultation with your tutor. You can choose between a single (8000 words) or double (12000 words) dissertation. You are assigned an appropriate supervisor for this. You may choose to pursue areas of particular interest which do not feature in any of the many modules on offer. If this is the case, you can register for Student Initiated Modules and have tutorial support.

In Year Two, in addition to Film & Media modules, you can choose selected modules we have adopted from other degree programmes, because we know they will be of interest to some Film & Media students. For example, you can follow Popular Music and Communication, Writing for the Media, Football & the Media, Insight into Publishing, or Managing an Art House Cinema. In Year Two, you choose one core module - either Popular TV or Film Histories, Film Theories. Which you select will depend on whether you wish to specialise in film or broadcasting. You can, of course, choose both, if you want to develop a balanced programme. If you look at The Course at a Glance Section, you can see what's available. Film options cover British or Hollywood Cinema, to specialised options such as those on early German cinema or Russian cinema. You can study advertising, photography, or youth and popular culture.

In Year Three, you can opt for Film modules such as Extreme cinema or Asian cinema, or broadcasting ones such as British Television Drama. You can take a philosophical approach by studying Media Ethics or Film Aesthetics.  Equally, you can choose modules such as Writing for Radio or Football and Popular Culture. Student Initiated modules and the dissertation allow you to create your own topics of study.

Course at a Glance

Year 1

Reading the Media
Media Institutions, Texts and Audiences
Re-View: Reading Film
On TV: Introduction to Television Studies
Popular European Film
Consumer Culture and the Media
Understanding TV Formats and their Markets
Photography Critical Skills
Student-Initiated Module

Year 2

Film Histories, Film Theories
Hollywood Cinema
British Cinema
Study of the Non-Fiction Film
Research and Writing for Film and Television Documentary
Popular TV
Popular Music and Communication
Youth and Popular Culture
Society and the Photographic Image
Advertising and Social Communication
Writing for the Media
Language and the News
Planning Your Career in Film and Media
Film and Media Work Placement
Student-Initiated Modules

Year 3

Cinema and Postmodernism
Extreme Cinema
Paris, Texas: Hollywood and Europe
World Cinema
Popular Television Drama
The Visual Culture of Popular Music
British Popular Music and the Media Since 1960
Media Ethics
Advanced Communications Workshop:
Writing for Radio
Football and Communication
Student-Initiated Modules
Dissertation (Single)
Dissertation (Double)

This subject is offered as part of the Combined Honours Programme and must be taken in combination with other subjects. Your selection of subjects should be indicated on the UCAS form. For full details see Combined Honours.

Assessment:

Assessment is by coursework. This takes the form of essays, presentations (individual or group), reports, critical reviews, in-class essays,or portfolios of work/learning logs.

Learning Environment:

Learning is mainly through illustrated lectures, screenings, seminars and workshops. Teaching takes place in state-of-the-art accommodation, permitting delivery to be, where appropriate, via PowerPoint, including DVD/Video extracts and web material. Work-based modules might be delivered in real-work environments in the Media Factory. Work Experience will take place in situ.

Careers:

Our graduates are well prepared for careers in teaching, publishing, advertising, media journalism and arts administration. A range of careers in industry, commerce and public services are open to those with good communication skills, developed in this programme. You can apply for MA courses or for research degrees, to enhance career opportunities.

Other Opportunities:

Students have the opportunity to study abroad in Year Two, either in Europe or America. The International Office will provide details of the universities. There are opportunities to develop a practical element within your programme to complement the theoretical modules.

Fees and Finance

The standard fee for this course will be: £9,000 per year

For further information including the availability of bursaries/scholarships or student financial support please view our Fees and Finance pages.