BA Film Studies
About this course
BA Hons in Film Studies, a film studies degree centred on international cinematic history, media theory, and practical filmmaking techniques. Core topics include Research Methods, Project Management, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Design & Creative Practice, Social & Cultural Analysis, and Global & Comparative Perspective. Students benefit from access to British Film Institute resources and specialized production equipment such as Black Magic 4K cameras. The first year covers foundational concepts through Introduction to Film Studies, Understanding Media and Culture, and British Cinema, introducing key approaches to film theory, analysis, history, and practical filmmaking alongside broader media debates. The second year expands into international and historical contexts through Global Cinemas and Classic Hollywood Genres. Optional modules across the course allow students to specialise in areas such as screenwriting, digital cultures, visual cultures, and short film production. The final year culminates in an Independent Project (Film, English, Creative Writing and Media), supported by further optional modules including Documentary Production, Experimental Film Production, and Film Industries, Practices and Movements.
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
A level: ABB. Film, Media or one other humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential. IB: 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 84%: 72 offers from 86 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 91%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 30%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Customer service occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 50%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 25 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North East: 5%
- North West: 45%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 20%
- London: 5%
- South East: 5%
- Wales: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Film Studies
- Understanding Media and Culture
- British Cinema
- Transformations in Digital Media
- Raw Materials of Performance
- Screens and Selves
- Re-Making Tradition
- World Literatures
- Art Histories and Contexts
- Global Cinemas
- Classic Hollywood Genres
- Film, Gender, Race and Ideology
- Screenwriting
- Film Theory and Aesthetics
- Short Film Production
- Visual Cultures
- Digital Cultures
- Independent Project (Film, English, Creative Writing and Media)
- Global Film Genres
- Documentary Production
- Audiences, Fans and Participatory Cultures
- Contemporary Literature
- Film Industries, Practices and Movements
- Film Circulation, Exhibition and Audiences
- Experimental Film Production
- The Making of Media and AI Futures
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Film Studies at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £33,000. The £23,500 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Media studies.
What do graduates of BA Film Studies at Lancaster University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Film Studies at Lancaster University?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Film Studies at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 134 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Film Studies at Lancaster University?
84% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 72 offers from 86 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on BA Film Studies at Lancaster University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.