twisted ream of film

Film and Media Studies BA

3 years

Few art forms can entertain, shock, inform or make us laugh the way film can. In this degree, you’ll explore the power of film and other modern media – drawing on critical approaches based in the humanities and social sciences.

Film and Media Studies BA, 3 years

Few art forms can entertain, shock, inform or make us laugh the way film can. In this degree, you’ll explore the power of film and other modern media – drawing on critical approaches based in the humanities and social sciences.

Start date:

2025

Course information

Typical offer BBB

UK fee £9,250

UCAS code P900

International fee £19,700

Institute code L34

Taught by HistoryArtFilm

National Student Survey logo

Ranked in the top 20 for subjects aligned to History of Art and Film for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).

Complete University Guide

Top 15 in the UK for Communication and Media Studies (Complete University Guide 2025)

Course description

Course description

Over the course of our Film and Media Studies BA you will discover the relationship between film and other screen, broadcast and print media, and engage with the various theories that have developed around the subject.

Leicester is ranked among the top 12 places in the UK for teaching Film and Media Studies.* You will be taught by academics with expertise ranging from British documentary film and television to themes and trends of contemporary Hollywood, and from European art cinema to Chinese cinema.

During your degree you will explore the power of the audiovisual and digital media within contemporary society and culture. This course also has an interdisciplinary aspect as you will draw upon expertise from social sciences and humanities.

You will have the opportunity to get hands on experience of film-making in the second year Film Production module. Regular film screenings in our fully equipped film theatre will expose you to a diverse range of films, whilst seminars will provide you with an opportunity to discuss and share ideas about the film and media you have experienced.

We also work with the University’s Attenborough Arts Centre, helping you explore other career possibilities in event management as well as film programming and marketing.

*12th in the UK according to Complete University Guide 2024 (Communication and Media Studies)

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • A/AS-levels: BBB. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-Level. General Studies is accepted
  • EPQ with A-levels: BBC + EPQ at grade B
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass relevant diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 24 of which must be at distinction.
  • International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points.
  • BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with DDM
  • T Levels: Merit in Management and Administration

Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.

If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.

Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.

Contextual offers

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

Selection Process

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the department.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK Students

Starting in 2025

  • £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

International Students

Starting in 2025

  • £19,700 per year

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

Our curriculum includes employability and practical modules such as 'Film and Art: Academic Study and the Workplace', 'Film Production' and 'Film and Art Journalism'.

Skills acquired on this course have equipped our students to go into film preservation and curating, teaching, and other creative aspects of the film and media industries. It also provides a foundation for careers in film journalism and other cultural management positions.

Graduate destinations

Our graduates have found work with companies such as:

  • British Board of Film Classification
  • Sky Cinema
  • MUBI
  • Phoenix Cinema, Leicester
  • Leicester Neulion
  • CBRE Group

Careers and Employability Service


Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.

Related courses

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Podcast

Course structure

Year 1

Year 1

You will be introduced to the basics of film analysis and study how media is received and consumed.

Modules

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2

Year 2

During your second year, you will create a short film with a group of fellow students using the theoretical and practical knowledge that we provide. You will also build on your media studies by understanding the way in which media outlets communicate with their audiences.

Modules

Plus either Working in the Creative Industries or Journalism Studies

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year

Final Year

During your final year you will have the flexibility to choose your own modules. The only compulsory element is a 10,000 word dissertation on a subject of your choice in either Film or Media Studies or spanning both disciplines. The rest of your time will be spent exploring specialist areas that are of interest to you.

Core module

Option modules

Choose two option modules from:

Then choose two option modules from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Why Leicester?

Film and Media at Leicester

Beth really enjoys watching films in the University Film Theatre

You will definitely want to join the Students' Union's Film Society to watch and discuss all your favourite movies.

Our teaching staff have specialist knowledge in some fascinating areas, including female Hollywood directors, Turkish-German cinema, Chinese and transnational cinemas, American B-movies and James Bond.

The University of Leicester has one of the longest established continually published student newspapers in the UK, as well as student radio and TV stations. All are a great way to gain valuable experience.

Reading list

See the types of texts you might read, over the summer, to get a feel for the course and arrive prepared and ready to go.

View a reading list for Film Studies degrees

Teaching and learning

Teaching

You will be taught through diverse methods including lectures, seminars, small discussion groups and film screenings. For each module, you will typically have a lecture and a seminar each week, along with a number of additional events such as workshops on research and study skills, learning groups, and introduced film screenings. Lectures are designed to introduce you to important debates and contexts for understanding an author or filmmaker's work. Weekly seminars, in which a tutor leads a small group of students in discussion, will allow you to explore a text or topic in depth.

You will also have the opportunity to gain practical filmmaking experience in the Film Production module in your second year.

For your third year dissertation you receive one-to-one supervision across the term from a tutor with an interest in your chosen subject.

You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, including academic, financial, housing, career or social issues.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of essays, exams, review writing, group work and oral presentations. These assessments are designed to help you build confidence in a range of skills and to provide prospective employers with evidence that you can work effectively both as an independent researcher and as a team member. Your final degree result will be based on the work you do in the second and third years of your degree.

You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, including academic, financial, housing, career or social issues.

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, watching films, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.

Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.

Academic support

Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:

  • study and exam skills
  • academic writing
  • presentations
  • dissertations
  • numerical data skills
  • referencing sources

Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles in Film Studies and our staff profiles in Media Studies.

Podcast

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Film and Media Studies Qualification BA Duration 3 years full-time UCAS Code P900 Availability How to apply

Data about this course

student sat in a film theater with a film showing on the background

The best part of studying Film at the University of Leicester is being able to surround yourself with people with the same passion and enthusiasm for the subject, and being able to see different interpretations and reactions to the films we view.

Sian

Back to top
MENU