Film Studies (BA)

In the first year, you will delve into the history of cinema and the fundamentals of film criticism.

In the second year, you’ll have more flexibility to tailor the course to your own interests, and core modules will focus on Hollywood Cinema and exploring the concept of National and Transnational Cinemas using case studies linked to the expertise of your tutors.

In the third year, you will have the opportunity to apply to write an independent supervised dissertation and the opportunity to apply for a place on a specialist film production module delivered exclusively by the world-renowned London Film School. You can also explore a wide range of specialist topics supported by the research expertise of staff in the department. Recent third year option modules have included Post-war Japanese Cinema, Hollywood Romantic Comedy, Film Documentary, Horror and the Gothic in Film and Television.

How will I learn?

You will typically attend an initial screening of the chosen film or television programme followed by a lecture. There is a further screening in which students review the film or television programme in the light of the lecture and set reading. Finally, there are seminars in which 8–12 students convene with a tutor to discuss the week’s topic. All modules have between 4.5–6 hours of contact time per week.

Film and Television Studies students will take four modules per term and Film and Literature Students will take two film modules per term and two literature modules. Typical independent study time is 2–3 hours per week for each module. This figure increases when writing essays and preparing for examinations.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by a combination of traditional essays and examinations in conjunction with a range of innovative practice-led assignments. These might include devising a video-essay, writing your own film script, assembling a film festival programme or producing your own short film. Students achieving a 2.1 grade in their first two years have the opportunity to apply to either complete a dissertation or short film in their third year.