BA Film Studies

Creative Film Studies

Undergraduate

BA Film Studies

Get a deep understanding of cinema's history and culture, while gaining practical filmmaking skills in our cutting-edge facilities.

Key information

Study mode

Full-time

Course length

3 years

Entry requirements

112 points

A Level grades: BBC

UCAS code

W631

Choose an option

Start date

Course overview

You could hardly choose a better place to study film than the most recent UK City of Culture.

You'll benefit from brand-new facilities – like the refurbished Middleton Hall, where we've invested £9.5 million to create a superb venue featuring a surround-sound cinema and an industry-standard filming and editing suite.

You’ll be taught by enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff who are film fans as much they are academics. They include Dr Amy Davis, an internationally respected Disney scholar, as well as experts in horror, East Asian cinema and TV drama.

Download our prospectus

2020 prospectus

Grab your copy

Six reasons to study Film at Hull

  1. 99% graduate employability rating#
  2. Surround-sound cinema in Middleton Hall
  3. State-of-the-art filming and editing suite
  4. Study with experts in genres from Disney to horror
  5. Part of Screen Yorkshire's 'Connected Campus'†
  6. Combine cinema theory with hands-on film skills

What you'll study

The course consists of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits, meaning you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more (e.g. 40 credits). In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120.

First year modules

  • Compulsory

    The Craft of Filmmaking

    Get insight into the practical and collaborative elements of filmmaking, on a module which introduces you to direction, cinematography, production management, editing and audio.

    Writing Criticism

    Sharpen your film analysis skills. You'll closely examine a range of different types of cinema and complete a series of written exercises that will help you become a better film critic.

    Film Style and Technology

    Explore the historical evolution of film style and technology through examples such as the introduction of sound cinema, colour film, widescreen, and digital filmmaking.

    Production Studies

    Expand your understanding of how the media industries operate, with case studies ranging from small, independent production companies to Hollywood giants.

    Screen, Nation, Identity

    Explore the relationship between a nation's sense of history and identity, and the stories that it tells about itself on screen.

    History of Hollywood Cinema

    ​In this module, you will explore the history of Hollywood cinema. It will be examined within the context of US social, cultural, and political history.​

Second year modules

  • Compulsory

    Screening Genders

    Critically examine the representation of gender on screen through the lens of feminist film theory.

    Representing the Real, Disclosing the Truth, and Capturing the Everyday

    Explore how film and TV represents reality and why - in an era of alternative facts and fake news - representing reality matters. You'll consider documentaries, news and more. 

  • Optional

    Moving Image Techniques

    Learn to manipulate image and sound - and create your own experimental film or music video. 

    American Alternative Cinema

    Go beyond the Hollywood mainstream with case studies including independent, cult, exploitation, trash and underground cinema.

    Narration in the Fiction Film

    Examine the storytelling possibilities of cinema, in a module that encompasses classical Hollywood cinema, art cinema, counter-cinema, and parametric narration.

    American Animation History

    In this module, you'll develop a deeper understanding of the history of American animation by taking an in-depth look at the genre.

    Television and Factual Production

    Produce factual content suitable for broadcast as part of a small production crew. It's an opportunity to develop your production skills and learn more about TV and factual production.

    Work-Based Learning (Digital Media)

    Develop your CV by undertaking a work placement as part of your course.

    Musical-Made America

    The musical is a distinctively American genre. Examine how Hollywood and Broadway have created spaces to represent and re-imagine the USA's sexual, racial and political identities. 

Final year modules

  • Optional

    Dissertation

    You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up your own project on a topic you choose, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

    East Asian Cinema

    Examine the dynamic and diverse film output of countries including China, South Korea and Japan, and reflect on film as a 'transnational' phenomenon.

    Disney Studies

    An in-depth exploration of the history and impact of Disney's global entertainment empire.

    Is Television History?

    Reflect on the ways in which television can both do history and be history, with case studies ranging from period dramas to historical documentaries.

    Screen Production Project 1: Planning and Pre-Production

    Turn your film idea into a workable and professional project before you step into production. Learn about what it takes to create a film before pitching your idea, ready for the next steps.

    Screen Production Project 2: Filming and Post-Production

    Create your film. Take the reins and follow the project through from pre-production to shooting, editing, screening and review.

    Global Nightmares: Contemporary Horror Cinema From Around the World

    Analyse contemporary horror films in the national context of their respective country. You'll study movies including It, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, [REC], and À l'intérieur/Inside.

    American History by Hollywood

    Film-makers have long used the history of the USA as a source of stories and characters. This module compared Hollywood's version with with what historical sources say 'really' happened.

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

How you'll study

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time’s divided among each of these varies each year and depends on the course and modules you study.

Overall workload

312 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

888 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

8%
92%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

264 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

936 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

10%
90%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

204 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

996 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

14%
86%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Daniel Ramsoy Creative Writing and Film Studies

"Film studies has given me a much broader perspective on media and storytelling."

Drama_and_Film_Studies_2

Cutting edge facilities

Benefit from the surround-sound cinema and state-of-the-art filming and editing suite of the newly transformed Middleton Hall.

Creative_Stuides_Film_Studies

Cool connections

Awesome placement opportunities with Screen Yorkshire's Connected Campus to prepare you for a career in the film and TV industry.

Entry requirements

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

Points can be from any qualifications on the UCAS tariff, but must include at least 80 points from

  • A levels
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • CACHE Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • Scottish Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma
  • or a combination of appropriate Level 3 qualifications 

Alternative qualifications 

  • IB Diploma: 28 points.
  • Access to HE Diploma: pass with minimum of 45 credits at merit.

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations shown above. Please contact the University’s Admissions Service for individual guidance.

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

If you require a Tier 4 student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Our teaching staff

Click and drag

Take a tour of the facilities

Our Film Studies students enjoy access to great facilities such as our on-campus studio space and editing suite in Holme House.

Explore the virtual tour

Fees and funding

Home / EU

£9,250 per year*

International

£14,500 per year

*The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index (RPI).

UK and EU students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course, and UK students can take out a maintenance loan of up to £8,700 to cover living costs.

Substantial discounts are available for International students.  

More information on fees can be found in the Money section of the website.

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme (including registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examination).

There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary.

  • Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the library, but you may want to buy your own copies
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (including travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (including travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want to buy your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few. 

Scholarships

If you achieve

112 UCAS tariff points or above

from 3 A levels or equivalent, you could receive

£1,200 to £2,000

Find out more

An affordable city for students

From bills, to meals, to pints – you’ll find that your money goes a lot further in Hull.

Your future prospects

  • TV/film producer
  • Publisher
  • Costume designer
  • Crew/events manager
  • Charity worker
  • Marketing professional

Our connections with the region’s film and media industry provide you with opportunities to get invaluable work experience while studying.

Our graduates develop skills that are prized in many professions and acquire the adaptability to flourish in various arenas.

Open Day at University of Hull

Ready to apply?

You can apply for this course through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

APPLY NOW VIA UCAS HOW TO APPLY
Not ready to apply?

Visit our Open Day

Book a place

You might also like...

This. Is. Hull.

A place where we stand up to kings, do deals with the world and take a wrecking ball to the slave trade. A place where culture stands out and the phone boxes are a different colour. A place where we're free-thinking, independent and proud of it.

#Percentage of students from this subject area in work or further study within six months of graduating: UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey for the academic year 2016/17, published by HESA 2018

†Connected Campus prepares you for a career in the film and TV industries though masterclasses, workshops and visiting speakers