About this course
Film and history are closely linked, with roots going back to the earliest days of cinema. We offer this exciting and challenging joint course for movie lovers and history buffs. You'll study the history of film from a variety of perspectives: as popular art, big business and as a cultural record.
You'll study familiar classics alongside contemporary cinema. Genres you'll explore include:
film noir
horror
science fiction
documentary
animation
You'll deepen your understanding and enjoyment of film, and develop your critical thinking as part of a lively community.
History modules will cover the development of historical debates and imagining the past. Topics range from ancient societies to the war on terror.
Our Framing the Past module looks at cinema's relationship with history. You'll study films about the distant past of Greece, Rome or Egypt. You'll also study works from more recent times, such as heritage films about the British Empire or the Titanic.
As part of this course you can:
study film noir, animation, horror and sci-fi
explore British, European and world cinema
discover early film through archive visits
access document collections, including the Wellington, Palmerston and Mountbatten papers
use one of the largest Jewish document centres in Europe, the Parkes Archive
submit your own film to our annual student film festival
We offer a 4-week summer school at Dongguk University in Seoul. This includes film and cultural orientation courses.
You can download the course details, including modules, in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 332.62 KB).
Location and awarding body
The course location is Avenue campus in Southampton. The awarding body is University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
A-levels
AAB to ABB including History or a related subject*
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. *Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Our preferred subjects are English Literature, English Language and Literature, History, Philosophy, Film Studies, Law, Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies. Our lower offer is given to applicants studying one or more of these preferred subjects.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in History or a related subject*
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Our preferred subjects are English Literature, English Language and Literature, History, Philosophy, Film Studies, Law, Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
BTEC
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus A to B in A level History or a related subject*.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A to B in A level History or a related subject*
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA to AB to include A level History or a related subject*
BTEC additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Our preferred subjects are English Literature, English Language and Literature, History, Philosophy, Film Studies, Law, Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies. Our lower offer is given to applicants studying one or more of these preferred subjects.
Other qualifications
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
ABB to BBB including History or a related subject* and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
ABB to BBB including History or a related subject*
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) StatementPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 62.17 KB) for further information.
Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC (RQF) (reformed)
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus A to B in A level History or a related subject*.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus A to B in A level History or a related subject*
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA to AB to include A level History or a related subject*
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in History or a related subject*
OR
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, to include 6 Distinctions in History or a related subject*
Access to HE Diploma additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Our preferred subjects are English Literature, English Language and Literature, History, Philosophy, Film Studies, Law, Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies. Our lower offer is given to applicants studying one or more of these preferred subjects.
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 to H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 including History or a related subject*
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A2 A2 A2 B1 B1 B1 to A2 A2 B1 B1 B2 B2 including History or a related subject* at B1
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Our preferred subjects are English Literature, English Language and Literature, History, Philosophy, Film Studies, Law, Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies. Our lower offer is given to applicants studying one or more of these preferred subjects.
Scottish Qualification offers
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF, 111.01 KB) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 M2 to D3 M2 M2 in three principal subjects including History or a related subject*
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
*Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Our preferred subjects are English Literature, English Language and Literature, History, Philosophy, Film Studies, Law, Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies. Our lower offer is given to applicants studying one or more of these preferred subjects.
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB to ABB from 3 A levels including History or a related subject*
or
AA to AB from two A levels including History or a related subject* and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. *Related subject includes subjects such as English, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Classical Civilisation or other humanities based essay writing subjects. Students applying without History will need to make a case in their personal statement.
Our preferred subjects are English Literature, English Language and Literature, History, Philosophy, Film Studies, Law, Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies. Our lower offer is given to applicants studying one or more of these preferred subjects.
European Baccalaureate
80% overall including grade 8 in History or a related subject*
OR
77% overall including grade 8 in History or a related subject*
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.
Band C IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 6
- writing
- 6
- speaking
- 6
- listening
- 6
We also accept other English language tests.
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
International qualifications
Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.
This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Other ways to qualify
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Course structure
The main teaching format is a tutor-led lecture followed by a seminar. Most film modules also have a screening each week that links to the particular topic or theme. You can access a vast array of films in our well-equipped libraries.
We offer a customisable course programme with a mix of compulsory and optional modules each year. Optional modules encourage you to develop your personal interests and to study particular areas in greater detail.
You can also study topics from other subjects, including languages and English literature.
Year 1
Compulsory modules will introduce you to film, starting with classical Hollywood and European cinema. You'll learn about this important early period for cinema and develop your critical and analytical skills.
You'll also learn about ancient and modern world history in a compulsory module exploring contact, conflict and culture.
You'll choose from optional History topics including:
twentieth-century China
apocalyptic visions through history
death and mourning in Victorian Britain
the First World War
an archaeology module about objects and technologies
Year 2
You'll study early and silent cinema, and choose from a wide range of Film and History modules.
Film topics include:
film noir
animation
women and Hollywood
scriptwriting
History topics include:
the British Empire in the Americas
US counterterrorism
witchcraft in England
urban nightlife in the 19th and 20th centuries
Year 3
You'll write a dissertation on a topic of your choice to develop your independent research skills. A supervisor with research expertise on your topic will support you.
You can also choose from modules on topics including:
horror, science fiction and fantasy film
stardom: history, myth and heritage
race, gender and sexuality in British cinema
television studies
the impact of ancient Egyptian culture
revolutions in modern Iran
nuclear war and peace
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Modules year 1
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 1:
- Introduction to Film I: Hollywood
- World Histories: Contact, Conflict and Culture from Ancient to Modern
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 1:
- A Tudor Revolution in Government?
- Cities of the Dead: Death, Mourning and Remembrance in Victorian Britain
- Consuls, Dictators & Emperors
- Death in the Ancient World
- German Jews in Great Britain
- God's Own Land: Exploring Pakistan's Origins and History
- Introduction to Film II: European Cinema
- Introduction to Film: European Cinema
- Joan of Arc: History behind the Myth
- Liberte, Egalite, Beyonce: Women’s History in Modern Britain
- Putin and the Politics of Post-Soviet Russia
- Reagan’s America: Capitalism and Cold War
- Russia in Revolution, 1905-1917
- Terrorists, Tyrants and Technology: America’s “War on Terror”
- The End of the World: Apocalyptic Visions of History
- The Long Summer? Edwardian Britain 1901-1914
- The Real Downton Abbey
- Twentieth-Century China
- When an empire falls: Culture and the British Empire, 1914-1960
- Wonderful things: World history in 40 objects
Modules year 2
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 2:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 2:
- Ancient Greeks at War
- Ancient Rome: the First Metropolis
- Animation: Technology, Culture and Industry
- Arabian Nights and Days: The World of the 1001 Nights
- Aristocracy to Democracy
- Besieged: Towns in War c.1250-c.1650
- Chivalry, c. 1250-1500
- Contemporary British Cinema
- Contemporary Chinese Cinema
- Evolution of US Counterterrorism
- Extra-Curricular Elective
- Film Adaptation: Culture and Context
- Film Noir: Exile Filmmakers and 1940s Hollywood
- Film, Realism and Reality: representing the world, from revolution to the everyday
- From Black and White to Colour: A Screen History of Race, Gender and Sexuality in Post-War Britain
- How the Arts Work: a practical introduction to cultural economics
- Imperialism and Nationalism in British India
- In Hitler's Shadow: Eastern Europe 1918-1939
- Islamism – from the 1980s to the present
- Landscapes of Conflict
- Modern Drama Since the Second World War
- Myth and the Ancient World
- Nelson Mandela: A South African life
- Oil Burns The Hands: Power, Politics and Petroleum in Iraq, 1900-1958
- Plague, Fire and Popish Plots: The Worlds of Charles II
- Power, Patronage and Politics in Early Modern England 1509-1660
- Queens, Devils and Players in Early Modern England
- Ragtime! The Making of Modern America
- Rebels with a Cause: The Historical Origins of Christianity
- Retail Therapy: A journey through the cultural history of shopping
- Roman Emperors and Imperial Lives
- Science on the Street: Science, Technology, Medicine, and the Urban Environment in Modern European Cities
- Scriptwriting
- Self-inflicted - Extreme Violence, Politics and Power
- Sex, Death and Money: the United Kingdom in the 1960s
- Sin and Society, 1100-1500
- The Age of Discovery? c.1350-c.1650
- The British Atlantic World
- The Fall of Imperial Russia
- The First British Empire: the beginnings of English dominance, 1050-1300
- The Global Cold War
- The Life and Afterlife of the Vikings
- The Making of Modern India
- The Transatlantic Slave Trade and Abolition in West Africa
- Underworlds: A cultural history of urban nightlife in the 19th and 20th centuries
- Vienna and Berlin: Society, Politics and Culture from 1890 to the Present
- Visual Culture and Politics: Art in German Society, 1850- 1957
- Weimar Cinema
- Wellington and the war against Napoleon
- Witchcraft in England, 1542-1736
- Women and Hollywood
- World Cinema
Modules year 3
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 3:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 3:
- A Short History of the Communication Network
- A Short History of the Far Right
- A Short History of the Homosexual
- A Short History of the Populist Leader
- American Cinema Since 1965
- Animation: Technology, culture, and industry
- China in the Cold War – Part 1 (The Chronology)
- China in the Cold War – Part 2 (Themes)
- Crime TV: Technologies of Detection
- Crime and Punishment in England c.1688-1840 part 1
- Crime and Punishment in England c.1688-1840 part 2
- Debates in Television Studies
- Emperor Julian and the Last Pagans of Rome Part 1, Julian: hero and apostate
- Emperor Julian and the Last Pagans of Rome Part 2, Julian: hero and apostate
- Fantasy Film and Fiction
- Fashioning the Tudor Court 1
- Fashioning the Tudor Court 2
- For the Many, not the Few: the History of the British Labour Party (part 1)
- For the Many, not the Few: the history of the British Labour Party (part 2)
- Forging the Raj: The East India Company and Britain’s Asian World, part 1
- Forging the Raj: The East India Company and Britain’s Asian World, part 2
- Framing the Past:Stardom, History and Heritage in the Cinema
- France under the Nazis, 1940-1944 (Part 1)
- France under the Nazis, 1940-1944 (Part 2)
- Horror on Film
- How the Arts Work: a practical introduction to cultural economics
- Humanities Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme Yr 3
- International Film Industry: Issues and Debates
- Inventing America
- Islands and Empires in the Ancient Aegean, Part 1: Ruling the Waves
- Islands and Empires in the Ancient Aegean, Part 2: Island Societies
- Language and the City
- Living with the Romans: Urbanism in the Roman Empire
- Medieval Love, Sex and Marriage: Part 1
- Medieval Love, Sex and Marriage: Part 2
- Modern Israel Part 1
- Modern Israel Part 2
- More than Pyramids & Pharaohs? Ancient Egypt in Context
- Music in Film and Television
- Nuclear War and Peace, Part I
- Nuclear War and Peace, Part II
- Political Culture in Modern Russia, part 1
- Political Culture in Modern Russia, part 2
- Racism in the United States 1785-1915 Part 1
- Racism in the United States 1785-1915 Part 2
- Reading Histories
- Refugees in the Twentieth Century 1
- Refugees in the Twentieth Century 2
- Representing Race: Politics and Identity in American Culture
- Revolutions in Modern Iran Part 1
- Revolutions in Modern Iran Part 2
- Science Fiction Film after 1973
- Society and Politics in Victorian Britain Part 1
- Society and Politics in Victorian Britain Part 2
- The 1947 Partition of India and its Aftermath Part 1
- The 1947 Partition of India and its Aftermath Part 2
- The Archaeology and Anthropology of Adornment
- The Crisis of Austria-Hungary Part 1
- The Crisis of Austria-Hungary Part 2
- The Great Exhibition of 1851 Part 2: Legacy
- The Great Exhibition of 1851 Part one: Art, Industry and the making of a Nation
- The Holocaust 1
- The Holocaust 2
- The Vietnam War in American History and Memory part 1
- The Vietnam War in American History and Memory, pt. 2
- Towards Empire: England and the Sea, 1450-1650 (Part 1)
- Towards Empire: England and the Sea, 1450-1650 (Part 2)
- Victorian Bestsellers
- When the Lights Went Out: Britain in the 1970s, Part 1: 1970-1974
- When the Lights Went Out: Britain in the 1970s, Part 2: 1974-1979
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Support for your studies
You'll have your own personal academic tutor who will offer support and advice throughout your studies.
You'll have 3 to 4 learning support hours per week. Depending on your needs, they can include:
group work
one-to-one tutorials
practical workshops
screenings
specialist skills training
supervised study or conversation with your tutor
How you’ll spend your study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 20%
- Independent study
- 80%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 22%
- Independent study
- 78%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 20%
- Independent study
- 80%
- Placement
- 0%
Course leader
Shelley Cobb is the course leader.
How we’ll assess you
We’ll assess you using:
- blogs
- coursework, laboratory reports and essays
- dissertations
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown, year by year:
Year 1
- Written exam
- 0%
- Practical exam
- 5%
- Coursework
- 95%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 19%
- Practical exam
- 3%
- Coursework
- 78%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 0%
- Practical exam
- 6%
- Coursework
- 94%
Careers
Film and History at Southampton will give you a strong foundation in skills that are attractive to all graduate employers, including:
written and verbal communication
analytical and critical thinking
evidence assessment
research
organisation
project management
Some of our graduates go on to careers in film and media, including film production, editing and post-production, distribution and marketing. Others continue into postgraduate studies or find employment in careers such as:
advertising, marketing and PR
arts based careers
charities
civil service
financial sector jobs
journalism
legal sector jobs
museum work
politics
teaching
Our research staff and industry experts will help you gain a picture of the film and TV industries today.
Some modules include work experience. Our module on how the arts work, for example, shows you how to programme and manage a professional arts venue.
As a Humanities student you can take employability modules to learn how to plan your future career. These consist of lectures and seminars given by experts, employers and alumni. They cover:
career opportunities for humanities graduates, including digital jobs
entrepreneurial and start-up options
psychometric and skills assessment to help you discover hidden talents
Volunteer opportunities will build your work-related skills. For example:
Union Films is our on-campus cinema where you can develop new skills, such as team leading, projection and digital design
our student film societies, FilmSoc and Wessex Films, where you arrange film screenings, help organise the University's Film Festival or take workshops to develop your skills
our radio and TV societies can give you hands-on experience of making television and radio shows
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Work in industry
We can help you find placements and work with local, national and international employers. You could even spend a full paid year in employment.
Fees, costs and funding
UK/EU fees
You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.
International student fees
You’ll pay £17,560 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Extra costs you might have to pay
- Hardware
- Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
- Software Licenses
- Printing and Photocopying Costs
- Stationery
- Textbooks
- Computer discs or USB drives
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 332.62 KB).
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
University life
The University offers a friendly, diverse and welcoming home for you while you study. You'll work, live and socialise with students from more than 130 countries.
Clubs, societies and facilities
Our campuses have:
cafes and restaurants
bars
health centres
banks
a post office
student shops
a hairdresser
Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.
We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.
Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.
Support while you study
We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:
mental health, learning difficulties and disability
money and accommodation
childcare
computers and IT
How to apply
When you apply use:
UCAS Course Code: WV61
UCAS Institution Code: S27
What happens after you apply
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.