About this course
Study film from a variety of perspectives: as popular art, big business and as a cultural record on our film degree with year abroad . Immerse yourself in the subject, from the earliest projected images to the present day. Learn how to view Hollywood blockbusters, European and world cinema with a critical eye. A year abroad will enhance your understanding of visual arts and let you experience a new culture.
You'll study familiar classics alongside contemporary cinema, and genres including:
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film noir
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horror
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science fiction
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documentary
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animation
You'll deepen your understanding and enjoyment of film and develop your critical thinking as part of a lively community.
You'll spend your third year studying at one of our partner universities abroad. Your options include: South Korea, Sweden, Ireland or the Czech Republic – countries with their own distinctive film cultures. You can take lectures in English but may also improve your languages. We'll help you plan your year abroad to suit your interests.
As part of this course you can:
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explore British, European and world cinema
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discover early film through archive visits
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use our extensive library resources, including over 5,800 films from around the world
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take modules from other courses, such as English, history and music
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volunteer at a cinema to develop new skills, such as team leading, projection and digital design
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submit your own film to our annual student film festival
Course location
This course is based at Avenue.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
In light of COVID-19, we’ve made changes to some elements of course delivery for 2020-21. For details as to how this has changed delivery for this course, please view the Addendum to the Programme Specification PDF.
Entry requirements
A-levels
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.
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:
BBB including an essay writing subject and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
BBB including an essay writing subject.
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.
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus B in an A level essay writing subject.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an A level essay writing subject.
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus 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.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- Scottish Qualification offers
- Cambridge Pre-U
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- European Baccalaureate
Other requirements
UK students
International students
Other ways to qualify
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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.
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 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.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
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.
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.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- Scottish Qualification offers
- Cambridge Pre-U
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- European Baccalaureate
Other requirements
UK students
International students
Other ways to qualify
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
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 a particular topic or theme.
Each year, we offer a customisable course programme with a mix of compulsory and optional modules. You can also study topics from other subjects, including languages and English literature.
Year 1 overview
You'll take modules in European and Hollywood cinema, and explore the connections between film and other disciplines, like music, literature and science.
You'll study the theories and philosophies that have shaped the development of film studies, such as:
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psychoanalysis
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postmodernism
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structuralism
Year 2 overview
You'll study early and silent cinema, and choose from topics including:
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film noir
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animation
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film adaptation
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women and Hollywood
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film industry
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scriptwriting
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British, European, and World cinema
A special module will help you plan your year abroad.
Year 3 overview
You'll spend your third year at one of our partner universities in another country. You can study in English, but will also have the opportunity to develop your language skills. You'll write a year abroad report with support from an academic supervisor.
Year 4 overview
You will take a module examining your experiences abroad. This will help you produce an enhanced CV.
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:
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horror, science fiction and fantasy film
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stardom
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race, gender and sexuality in British cinema
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contemporary American cinema
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television studies
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music in film and television
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how the arts work (a module on programming in arts venues)
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our modules for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
You must study the following modules in year 1:
You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our learning and assessment methods for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
Shelley Cobb is the course leader.
Careers
Our Film Studies degree at Southampton gives you a strong foundation in skills that are attractive to all graduate employers:
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written and verbal communication
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analytical and critical thinking
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research
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organisation
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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:
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careers opportunities for humanities graduates, including digital jobs
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entrepreneurial and start-up options
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psychometric and skills assessment to help you discover hidden talents
Volunteering opportunities will help you improve your work-related skills. For example:
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Union Films is our on-campus cinema where you can develop new skills, such as team leading, projection and digital design
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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
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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 at film and media companies, including film production, editing and post-production, distribution and marketing. Others continue into postgraduate studies or find employment in careers such as:
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advertising, marketing and PR
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arts based careers
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charities
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civil service
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financial sector jobs
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journalism
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legal sector jobs
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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
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £18,520.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
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.
How to apply
When you apply use:
- UCAS course code: P304
- 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.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
