Film Studies, BA Hons
If you want the perfect place to take a degree in film studies, study at one of the UK's leading film locations and maybe spot some Hollywood professionals in action.
This film studies degree will help you view film from a different perspective. You'll study film history, understanding its broad social and cultural contexts to develop skills in critical analysis. You'll also learn about camera techniques and editing processes to shape your understanding of the medium.
The film and media industries are not just about production and post-production, but also roles in scriptwriting, marketing, distribution, historical research and archival work, education, organising live events, and studying audiences and identifying target markets for forthcoming media releases. Our degree prepares you for these career opportunities, as well as further study.
The Greenwich Campus is a popular location for film crews and has featured in Hollywood blockbusters such as Pirates of the Caribbean: on Stranger Tides.
Department
Duration
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
- 4 years sandwich
Start month
September
UK/international fees
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
You will be taught by an experienced team of experts, which includes senior academics, technical officers, and practitioners with industry experience. Trained postgraduate researchers may also contribute to seminar teaching with the module leader. Teaching is informed by our research and consultancy work, which is ongoing and regularly shared with students.
Come and visit us
You can find out a lot about a university online, but to really get a feel for what it's like to live and study here you should come and visit. Come take a look at our historic campuses in London and Kent.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
If you are
112 UCAS - This could be 3 A-levels at grades BBC or an equivalent combination of A-levels and BTECs.
You will also require GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above (for pre-2017 GCSEs, grade 4 equates to C grade).
We also accept:
- BTEC/National Diploma
- International Baccalaureate
- Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.
Alternatively, please contact us:
- By telephone: +44 (0)20 8331 8136.
- By email: international@gre.ac.uk.
Further information about entry
Applicants may be invited to an interview.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use prior learning?
For entry: applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
For exemption: If you hold qualifications or courses from another higher education institution, these may exempt you from courses of this degree.
Professional qualifications and Brexit
The UK's departure from the European Union may affect the professional recognition of your qualification.
How you will learn
Teaching
In a typical week learning takes place through a combination of:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- 1-to-1 tutorials
Further details to be confirmed.
Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Contact hours may fall between 9am and 9pm, depending on your elective courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
The typical student intake per year averages 20-30. Seminars and workshops make up the majority of classes, and are essential for learning and guidance, as are individual tutorials. Several modules include lectures which are attended by all students. Intake and class size can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate time (normally around 20 hours per week) to self-study.
This will involve further reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, and preparing creative work for exhibitions. Our facilities are designed to support you in these activities.
You can use Stockwell Street Library and online resources to support further reading and research.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of contact hours (lectures, seminars, etc), independent learning, assessments, and field trips. Each credit equates to around 10 hours of study.
As you typically receive 150 contact hours per 30-credit module, you will be expected to complete another 150 hours of independent study to complete the module successfully. Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.
In addition, during the week you can also:
- Attend additional support classes in some modules
- Attend guest lectures from industry experts
- Take part in employability and enterprise workshops
- Join student societies.
Assessment
On this course, students are assessed by:
- Examinations
- Coursework
Further details to be confirmed.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include ‘practice’ assessments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2019/2020 fees
| Full-time (per year) | Part-time (per 30 credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| View fees |
2020/2021 fees
TBA
* For full fees information please visit our fees information pages.
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from just over £100 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Other costs
Trips: Any compulsory field trips are funded by the school.
Resources: For Architecture, Landscape and Design courses, you will produce portfolios of large format plots plus CNC/3D printed models etc. Costs will vary but could reach £250 a year for printing, £100 for model making, and £50 for visiting the sites.
Software: We provide Adobe software and Lynda.com online video tutorials. You will also have access to Nvivo, SPSS Modeler and SPSS Amos. Any licenses for software outside of our range will come at your own cost.
Will I have a work placement?
You can opt into register on 'sandwich mode' which means you can do a one year, full time, paid placement in between your second and final year. Whilst on a sandwich placement you retain your student status and have full support from the University and your tutors as normal. Students are responsible for finding their own placements though we will support you through the application process.
How long is my placement?
Sandwich placements must last for a minimum of 36 weeks full-time, though they can be as long as 13 months.
What are the financial arrangements?
Credit-bearing work placements are unpaid. However, sandwich placements are normally paid full-time positions. The salary should reflect the going rate for an entry level role in the relevant industry.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
There are a wide range of opportunities in the film, television and other media industries, as well as in public service and teaching. Graduates from this degree have gone on to work in film and TV development, production and post-production, media marketing and advertising, in communication roles in industry, and for film festivals. You will also have a range of postgraduate options.
Are internships available?
Students are encouraged to gain relevant work experience if possible, including internships. Students are responsible for finding their own internships though we will support you through the application process. Students can also gain an internship through Greenwich Bright and the STEPS programme.
Do you provide employability services?
Employability activities take place all the time at Greenwich and students are encouraged to take part in as many opportunities as possible. The central Employability and Careers Service provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and Employability skills workshops.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer who provides specific opportunities relevant to your own course. They work closely with professionals in industry to ensure you are well-prepared for the workplace and have already begun to build your professional network by the time you graduate.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
We place great emphasis on our students' abilities to reflect upon and see their practical and theoretical work in a larger critical context. To this end, we sharpen writing and presentation skills through a variety of assignments that go beyond standard essays and reports.
Our students hone their writing skills (journalistic, creative and academic) through descriptive, analytical and critical writing, presentations and hands-on use of digital media tools. You will also develop professional skills by working with others to see projects (sometimes large ones) through from idea to completion.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate prospectus or check our related courses below.
Media arts at the University of Greenwich
As a media arts student, you will be based in our award-winning Stockwell Street building in the heart of Greenwich, home to cutting-edge TV studios and editing suites, and a world-class library.
Visit our media arts subject page.