BA (Honours) Film Studies

UCAS code

P303

Attendance

Full-time

Three years full-time

At a glance

Gain an extensive knowledge and appreciation of film, by studying it from a critical, theoretical and historical perspective. We have excellent facilities, including a purpose built cinema on campus and an unrivalled collection of books, journals and media that allow you excellent opportunities for research.

Key points
ХаStudy film from a critical, theoretical and historical perspective.
ХаBenefit from excellent facilities including a purpose built cinema.
ХаUtilise our unequalled archive of books, journals and media.
ХаGet unrestricted access to the extensive British Film Institute national archive.

What is film studies?
Film studies is the academic study of film from a wide variety of critical, theoretical and cultural perspectives.

About this course

Develop your passion for film through your studies by learning and experiencing cinema in all its forms, from silent film to digital media.

We introduce you to
Х film form, narrative and style
Х a range of film making including documentary and avant-garde cinemas
Х a variety of film genres, film makers and film movements
Х a selection of national cinemas from around the world including America, Britain, East Asia and Europe

Throughout the course you also consider the social, aesthetic, cultural and industrial influences that have helped shape cinema around the world. This understanding of how real world issues affect filmmaking is essential if you wish to gain a career in the TV and film industries.

You can study one or more areas in which our teaching staff specialise, such as European and alternative cinemas, documentary, East Asian cinema, Hollywood, epic films and adaptation.

Our teaching team also includes established screenwriters who help you to develop your interest and creative skills in writing. They also offer practical advice and information about being a professional screenwriter.

In the final year you can develop your personal interests in film studies by completing a dissertation on a topic of your choice and by carrying out your own research projects within modules.

Films are shown in our purpose-built film theatre, The Void. It combines new technology, including projection of Blu-ray and DVD through an HD digital projector, with older technology, such as our Westrex 7000 35mm projectors. These projectors can show both recent and rare, culturally valuable films in their original cinema format, celluloid. We are one of the few universities in the country with this capability.

We continue to enjoy a close working relationship with the British Film Institute (BFI). We have privileged access to the BFI national archive, which contains more than 50,000 fiction films and over 100,000 non-fiction titles, most of which are not available on VHS or DVD.
You also have access to our learning centre which has
Х thousands of films on DVD, Blu-ray and videotape
Х a large collection of cinema books and journals
Х a unique collection of archival material on microfiche
Х individual viewing facilities for private study with access to the BFI's SIFT database

Sheffield is a thriving creative hub and home to a wide range of production companies (including the world famous Warp Films), theatres and film festivals. There are many opportunities for students to gain valuable experience with our external partners.

Key areas of study
Key areas include Х introduction to film analysis Х studying for stage and screen Х silent cinema Х film narrative Х Hollywood Х contemporary debates in film theory Х contemporary American horror Х documentary Х East Asian cinema Х music in film Х British cinema Х epics, spectacles and blockbusters.

Associated careers

As well as work related to film and television, graduates have the skills and knowledge to gain careers in areas including Х the arts, media and entertainment industries Х teaching Х community development Х the cultural industries Х arts administration Х events management Х journalism Х professional writing Х marketing Х programme scheduling.

Course content

Year one core modules

Х introduction to film analysis Х studying stage and screen Х silent cinema Х researching the cinema Х film narrative

Year one options

Choose from Х introduction to British cinema Х performance and the big screen Х introduction to screenwriting

Year two core modules

Х concepts in film theory and criticism 1 and 2 Х Hollywood to 1950

Year two options

Х European cinemas Х introduction to film adaptation Х writing and selling screenplays Х alternative cinemas Х Hollywood cinema Х screenwriter in film history

Year three core modules

Х film studies dissertation Х contemporary debates in film theory

Year three options

Three from Х contemporary American horror Х contemporary British cinema and television Х page to screen Х contemporary East Asian cinema Х music and film Х stars of stage and screen Х epics, spectacles and blockbusters Х documentary film and television Х page, stage and screen

Modules offered vary from year to year. Other topics may be added in the future.

Assessment

Х examinations Х essays Х presentations Х project-based assignments such as a dissertation or a portfolio of creative writing

Entry requirements

2014 entry requirements

GCSE English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following

Х 260 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, including at least 80 points from A2 in film studies or a relevant subject, such as English or media studies. We accept AS levels and general studies, and consider Key Skills.

Х Access Ц at least 45 credits at level 3 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course

If English is not your first language you need an IELTS average score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in all skills.

We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.

Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.

2013 entry requirements

GCSE English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following

Fees

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically г10,680 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically г11,250 a year

How to apply

You apply for this course through UCAS.

Contact details

For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk