BA Film Studies (Placement Year)
About this course
BA Hons in Film Studies (Placement Year), a film studies degree centred on the critical analysis and practical production of cinema. Core topics include Social & Cultural Analysis, Global & Comparative Perspective, Design & Creative Practice, Research Methods, and Project Management. The course includes a dedicated work placement year spent in a graduate-level professional role within the industry. The first year introduces key concepts through core modules such as Introduction to Film Studies, Understanding Media and Culture, and British Cinema, alongside optional choices like Transformations in Digital Media and Screens and Selves. The second year expands into international contexts with core modules including Global Cinemas and Classic Hollywood Genres, complemented by options such as Screenwriting and Short Film Production. The third year consists of a professional work placement module. The final year involves an independent self-directed research project, alongside optional modules covering topics such as Documentary Production, Experimental Film Production, and Audiences, Fans and Participatory Cultures.
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 89%: 17 offers from 19 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 51 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 7%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
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 95 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 72%
- Baccalaureate: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 26%
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
- Work Based Learning Year
- 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 (Placement Year) 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 (Placement Year) at Lancaster 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 Film Studies (Placement Year) at Lancaster 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 Film Studies (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 138 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Film Studies (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
89% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 17 offers from 19 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Film Studies (Placement Year) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BA Film Studies (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.