BA Filmmaking with a Foundation Year
About this course
The BA (Hons) Filmmaking with a Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate degree centred on practical production, film theory, and the collaborative craft of the moving image. Core topics include Research Methods and Ethics & Professional Practice. The course begins with a compulsory foundation year designed to prepare students for undergraduate study before advancing into core degree modules. The foundation year features modules such as Professional and Academic Skills, Media Production Practice, Collaborative Media Production, Media Concepts and Investigation, and Media Project. The first year focuses on essential techniques through Film Primer, Post-Production Fundamentals: Editing, Sound and Finish, Foundations of Filmmaking, and Documentary: Theory and Practice. The second year continues with Filmmaking Practices and Collaborative Practice, alongside optional modules in Cinematography, Foundations of Screenwriting, and Pre-Production: Script to Set. The final year concludes with Professional Practice and a Major Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points . This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Please see A Level, BTEC and other Level 3 requirements below. A level: A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (or equivalent) AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels A maximum of four subjects will be considered Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 80 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications T Level: Pass overall (C or above on the core) All subjects considered Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Arts, Media and Publishing subjects preferred but other subjects also considered OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD) Welsh Baccalaureate: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Pass overall Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Pass overall
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What students say
Based on about 89 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 72%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 85%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 70%
- Left higher education: 30%
What graduates do next
Based on about 17 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
- Working and studying: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 73%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 7%
- South East: 6%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 165 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Access course: 2%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Professional and Academic Skills
- Media Production Practice
- Collaborative Media Production
- Media Concepts and Investigation
- Media Project
- Film Primer
- Post-Production Fundamentals: Editing, Sound and Finish
- Foundations of Filmmaking
- Documentary: Theory and Practice
- Filmmaking Practices
- Collaborative Practice
- Cinematography
- Foundations of Screenwriting
- Pre-Production: Script to Set
- Professional Practice
- Major Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Filmmaking with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University earn?
The median salary is £23,000 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £21,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £16,000 and £27,000. The £21,500 median after five years is £4,500 less than the UK median for Media studies.
What do graduates of BA Filmmaking with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Filmmaking with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Filmmaking with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
The typical offer is CDD at A level. The average entrant had 120 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Filmmaking with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 30% left higher education.