BA (Hons) Film Studies
University of Portsmouth
Key Information
Campus location
Southsea, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £16,200/year: international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Take your interest in film and turn it into a promising career or pathway to further study with our Film Studies degree course. You'll examine film and its related institutions from a contemporary perspective, focusing on the theories and concepts that define them. Guided by an internationally recognised team of researchers and academics, you’ll explore film's interrelationships with society, culture, identity, history, and the future, ranging from fandom and popular culture to gender and global cinema. Our range of optional modules, industry talks and experiences, and local community and outreach connections in the curriculum will offer you a tailored degree experience to enhance your learning and enjoyment.
You’ll graduate from our course with a critical and global understanding of film. You'll also develop adaptable media skills in research, industry knowledge and communication, which will help you fashion your career in film or whatever field you choose.
Course highlights
- Take part in the annual Portsmouth Comic Con for the latest developments in film, popular culture, fan communities, and technology – course lecturers and students are panellists and run film screenings.
- Screen your final-year film project at Portsmouth's established independent No. 6 Cinema and gain industry contacts
- Learn from widely published media experts and active researchers to add depth to your studies
- Be part of our extensive media culture at Portsmouth: you can write for student publications, collaborate with students on our Film Production and Television and Broadcasting courses, and participate in our student-led TV channel CCI TV.
- Become an Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) to enhance your technical and production skills
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
In the first year, we introduce key analytical strategies to understanding film and the core areas of film theory. We’ll introduce you to a wide range of films and cinematic culture and offer you a grounding in film production skills and the academic study skills needed for your degree. You’ll be supported by an assigned personal tutor in a small tutor group.
Core modules
- Global Cinema – 20 credits
- Film, Genre and Adaptation – 20 credits
- Screen Research – 20 credits
- Understanding Film Production – 20 credits
- Writing for the Film and TV Industries – 20 credits
Year 2
In your second year, you’ll start focusing on your interests and specialisms through an optional production strand and various modules on film and media culture. You’ll be offered many experiences – including industry talks – to help support your career development and build up to an optional year-long placement between your second and third years.
Core modules
- British Cinema – 20 credits
- Hollywood and Beyond - 20 credits
- World and Transnational Cinema – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Production: Camera and Editing – 20 credits
- Production: Short Film-Making – 20 credits
- Professional Experience – 20 credits
- Researching Genre – 20 credits
- Sport and the Media – 20 credits
- Student Enterprise – 20 credits
- Transmedia Narratives and Strategies - 20 credits
- Comic Book Industries – 20 credits
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language (IWLP) – 20 credits
- Film And Ethics – 20 credits
Placement and study abroad years (optional)
During your studies here, you can take a year-long study or placement to help gain relevant global and industry experience. These year-long options are completed in year three of a four-year sandwich degree structure – after your second year.
Go to our placement year section above to find out about the benefits of work placements.
Throughout your degree, we’ll offer you opportunities for paid part-time work, volunteering, self-employment and other ways to develop a full CV while completing your studies. If you don't want to take a full year in placement, we can help you find your pathway to industry experience.
Optional modules
- CCI Self-Employed Placement – Full Year – 40 credits
- CCI Work Placement – Full Year – 40 credits
- CCI Placement Plus - Full Year - 40 credits
- Film, Media and Communication Study Abroad - Full Year - 120 credits
- Film, Media and Communication Study Abroad - Half Year - 60 credits
Year 3
In your final year, your subject interests will guide your final year project (written or video production) and optional modules informed by your lecturers' research specialisms.
Optional modules
- Film and Media Dissertation – 40 credits
- Gender, Sexuality and Cinema - 20 credits
- Marketing Movies – 20 credits
- Media Fan Cultures – 20 credits
- Practical Video Project – 40 credits
- Representing Science in the Media – 20 credits
- Researching Animation – 20 credits
- Studying Comedy – 20 credits
Placement year (optional)
Between your second and third years, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also a great incentive for employers once you graduate.
You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.
Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – our exclusive Creative Careers team can support you every step of the way.
Placement experiences
Our students have worked in various capacities, areas, and countries for their placement years, developing their soft skills and film and media knowledge in professional environments. These include:
- Events organiser and coordinator for film festivals in France
- Working with independent filmmakers in Czechia
- Working in a social media and market research team at Mercedes Benz
- Working in a communications team at Vivid Homes
- Working in a production team at Global Fire Creative
Career Opportunities
Along with theoretical and practical knowledge of film, you'll also graduate with a more nuanced understanding of the world. You'll develop methods for deconstructing its sociocultural ethics, means of representation, and constructs and scrutinise environments more deeply. These analytical skills are crucial in many sectors within and outside media and film.
Many of our graduates begin their careers in communication, such as public relations and advertising. Some continue to postgraduate studies and research in multimedia, while others take teacher training to begin careers in higher and further education.
With such a flexible degree as our Film Studies course, you'll be able to explore many other possibilities.
Graduate roles
Roles our graduates have gone onto include:
- Content Creator
- Marketing Manager
- Theatrical Marketing Department Executive
- Lecturer
- Writer and researcher
- Videographer
Graduate destinations
Our graduates have worked at places such as:
- Pathé
- CIC Film Crew 4u
- Arrow Films
- Studio Canal
- Chichester College
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.
Towards the end of your degree and up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
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