Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,415 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
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Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Consider the key techniques and skills required to make different types of films and TV.
- Understand how theory and practice inform and inspire each other.
- Learn the key concepts of theoretical film studies.
- Study a practical course with intellectual rigour at its core.
- Learn sustainable filmmaking with a founding member of the BAFTA albert HE Partnership.
- Develop your understanding of working in the creative industries.
On this course, you’ll be inspired and empowered by film and television. You’ll own your own learning, while working collaboratively, and graduate with realistic, confident expectations of what your next steps will be. The course is approximately 2/3 practical and 1/3 theoretical.
Student success story
"I was placed on the Foundation Year as I didn’t meet the entry requirements for the BA. It turns out it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I met people that have helped me better myself technically and personally, not to mention the great teaching you experience across multiple disciplines. They really do prepare you for the future."
Dale Horsfall, BA Film and TV Production with Foundation Year
View our students' work
Find out more about the Media Arts and Communications department and view the work of some of our students.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
The course is suitable if you don’t meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Film and TV Production course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other media arts and communication foundation year students, then move on to the degree.
This programme offers a distinctive approach to Film and TV production for multiple platforms and a variety of audiences.
The focus is on practice-based learning and professionalism, independent as well as group practice. This reflects industry standards while encouraging innovation and risk taking.
You’ll be trained as an independent creative and technical thinker. You’ll graduate as a fully rounded, collaborative and employable professional — with the skills, knowledge, contacts and experience you need to start an exciting career.
You learn through
- producing short films
- writing scholarly essays
- lectures and seminars
- technical workshops
- industry visits and field trips
- independent study
- practice based learning and group work
- public screening events and film festivals
- distributing and exhibiting your work in the public realm
- our own cinema, The Void
In the foundation year, you’ll study wide-ranging media arts and communication topics, while also focussing on your particular subject area and completing assignments in that field. You’ll grow as a creative, and begin developing a professional portfolio. You’ll also become familiar with Hallam’s exceptional facilities and staff, so you’re fully prepared for undergraduate study.
Course leaders and tutors
Chris Cooke
Senior Lecturer in Directing and ScreenwritingI teach screenwriting, directing and researching exhibition and distribution
Applied learning
Live projects
On the full degree course, you will work on real projects, making documentaries, training films and online content for local and national companies. Recently our students have produced work for the NHS, Sheffield City Council and the Royal Society for the Blind. You can also have your work shown on Sheffield Live, a TV station which broadcasts to the region on Freeview and all digital packages.
In your final year, you’ll make a final, graduation piece, crewing up with your peers and exhibiting your work in a public space, normally The Showroom Cinema. You will engage with industry practices including distribution and exhibition.
Field trips
On each year of the course you take a field trip at no additional cost. In recent years these have included filmmaking in locations such as Liverpool and the Peak District, and trips to film festivals including Glasgow, London and Aesthetica in York. UK field trips that are a required part of the course will be included in your course fees, though additional costs will be required to attend further UK and overseas field trips that are not compulsory, such as the Berlin Film Festival.
Networking opportunities
We are a BBC partner and a sponsor of Sheffield Doc Fest, and also work closely with media companies such as Envy Post Production and Warp Films.
You will develop a two year strategy for your own future development as a filmmaker after the course and you will have the opportunity to visit major studios, post production houses and media businesses and to build professional networks and contacts.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- film and television production
- the creative industries
- marketing and communications
- academia or further studies
Previous graduates of the full course have gone on to work for
- Pathe
- Lionsgate
- The Mill
- Illuminations
- 2AM Post Production
- BBC
- ITN
- Warp Films
- Tiger Aspect Productions
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On the full course you work with
- industry-standard cameras and sound equipment
- professional studios, one which is equipped with green screen technology
- Avid Media Composer
- 4K as well as 35mm projectors and a Dolby 5.1 surround sound system
Learn more about your department
Media, Arts and Communications Facilities Tour
Take a look around the media, arts and communication facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with lecturer Saskia Wilson.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
With at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- CDD at A Level.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• An Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Media Arts and Communication.
We treat the foundation year as part of the Media Arts and Communication degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Media Arts and Communication degrees.
Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Creative Synergies In Media Production | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Media In Context | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Media Project | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Preparing For Independent Practice And Study | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Module 1. What Is Film And Tv? | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Module 2. How Do I Make Film And Tv? | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Module 3. What Can Film And Tv Be? | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Module 4. What Kind Of Film And Tv Maker Am I? | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 4
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Module 5. Our Film And Tv | Credits: 100 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Module 6. My Context | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,415 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Digital media courses (PDF, 227.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
