About this course
Philosophy and Film share similar perspectives, from the value of art to national identity and politics. At Southampton, we offer this exciting, joint course for movie lovers and abstract thinkers. Here you'll learn to analyse deep, theoretical ideas, and explore film as an art, an industry and a passion.
You'll explore Film from a variety of perspectives: as popular art, big business and as a cultural record. From early Hollywood films to European and world cinema, you'll study the first projected images, today's digital movies and much more in between.
Philosophy modules will give you a strong grounding in ethical, logical and critical thought. You can examine the most fundamental questions we face, in a rigorous and systematic way.
You'll research and discuss the theories and philosophies that have shaped film studies as a subject. These include:
psychoanalysis
postmodernism
structuralism
As part of this course you can:
take modules in film noir, animation, horror and sci-fi
use our extensive library resources, including over 5,800 films from around the world
get involved in our outreach events that bring philosophy to the wider public
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, 310.16 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 an essay writing subject
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. 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
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
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 an A level essay writing subject.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A to B in an A level essay writing subject
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA to AB to include an A level essay writing subject
BTEC additional information
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 an essay writing 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 an essay writing 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 an A level essay writing subject.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus A to B in an A level essay writing subject.
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA to AB to include an A level essay writing 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 an essay writing 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 an essay writing subject
Access to HE Diploma additional information
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 an essay writing subject
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A2 A2 A2 B1 B1 B1 to A2 A2 B1 B1 B2 B2 including an essay writing subject at B1
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
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 an essay writing subject
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
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 an essay writing subject
or
AA to AB from two A levels including an essay writing subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. 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 an essay writing subject
OR
77% overall including grade 8 in an essay writing 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.
Each year, we offer a customisable course programme with a mix of compulsory and optional modules. 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 in the first semester will introduce you to film, starting with classical Hollywood. You'll learn more about this important, early period for cinema and develop your critical and analytical skills.
In Philosophy you'll learn about reason, argument and the mind.
You'll continue Film studies in the second semester with European cinema, and choose from a range of optional Philosophy modules, including:
applied ethics
existentialism
faith and reason
Year 2
You'll study early and silent cinema. In Philosophy, you'll study the nature of appearance and reality.
You can also choose from a wide range of optional modules from both subjects.
Film topics include:
film noir
animation
women and Hollywood
scriptwriting
British, European, and World cinema
Philosophy topics include:
the rise of modern philosophy
Immanuel Kant
philosophy of language
metaethics
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
race, gender and sexuality in British cinema
contemporary American cinema
television studies
music in film and television
self-knowledge
action, reason, and ethics
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:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 1:
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:
- Aesthetics
- Animation: Technology, Culture and Industry
- Contemporary British Cinema
- Contemporary Chinese Cinema
- Epistemology
- Ethics of Global Poverty
- 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
- Kant
- Logic
- Metaethics
- Metaphysics
- Moral Philosophy
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Mind
- Philosophy of Religion
- Philosophy of Science
- Political Thinkers
- Scriptwriting
- Weimar Cinema
- 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:
- Action, Reason and Ethics
- Advanced Aesthetics: Aesthetic Creativity
- American Cinema Since 1965
- Animation: Technology, culture, and industry
- Classical Indian Philosophy
- Contemporary Theories of Justice
- Crime TV: Technologies of Detection
- Debates in Television Studies
- Fantasy Film and Fiction
- Framing the Past:Stardom, History and Heritage in the Cinema
- Happiness and Wellbeing
- Heidegger
- 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
- Islamic Philosophy
- Music in Film and Television
- Nietzsche
- Other Minds
- Philosophical Logic
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Sex
- Puzzles and Paradoxes
- Representing Race: Politics and Identity in American Culture
- Schopenhauer
- Science Fiction Film after 1973
- Wittgenstein's Later Philosophy
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
- 23%
- Independent study
- 77%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 26%
- Independent study
- 74%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 18%
- Independent study
- 82%
- 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
- 13%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 87%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 13%
- Practical exam
- 6%
- Coursework
- 81%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 0%
- Practical exam
- 5%
- Coursework
- 95%
Careers
Film and Philosophy at Southampton gives you a strong foundation in skills that are attractive to all graduate employers:
written and verbal communication
analytical and critical thinking
mental agility
research
project management
Our research staff and industry experts will help you gain a picture of the film and TV industries today.
Some modules include work experience. How the arts work, for example, shows you how to programme and manage a professional arts venue.
Humanities students can take employability modules to learn how to plan a future career. These consist of lectures and seminars given by experts, employers and alumni. They cover:
careers 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
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
teaching
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
- Stationery
- Printing and Photocopying Costs
- Computer discs or USB drives
- Software Licenses
- Textbooks
- Hardware
- Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 310.16 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: WV65
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.