BA Drama and Film Studies
About this course
BA (Hons) in Drama and Film Studies, a joint humanities degree combining collaborative artistic production with the study of theatre practices and cinema. Core topics include Research Methods. The first year introduces foundational principles through compulsory modules such as Analysing Film: Forms and Contexts B, Staging Plays, European Cinema and Making Performance. Year 2 explores contemporary performance project work and debates in screen documentary, alongside optional choices including Adaptation: Filming Fiction and Film Musicals. The final year offers optional modules covering areas like American Teen Cinema: Coming of Age on Screen and Pop Soundtrack Cinema, alongside a choice of dissertation or a final year performance festival.
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: BBB IB: 30 points
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 78%
- Learning opportunities: 68%
- Assessment and feedback: 54%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 68%
- Student voice: 52%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 20 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- East Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 20%
- London: 45%
- South East: 20%
- South West: 10%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Analysing Film: Forms and Contexts B
- European Cinema
- Staging Plays
- Analysing Film: Authorship and Genre B
- Global Cinema
- Making Performance
- Contemporary Performance Project
- Debates in Screen Documentary
- Adaptation: Filming Fiction
- Exploring Local Film Cultures
- Film Musicals
- British Cinema
- Chinese Cinema
- Latin American Cinema: Contemporary Trends and Movements
- Performing Practices
- Writing for Theatre
- Drama Dissertation
- Film Studies Dissertation
- Final Year Performance Festival
- Cinema and Migration
- Pop Soundtrack Cinema
- Race and Ethnicity in Popular Cinema
- Viewing Women
- American Teen Cinema: Coming of Age on Screen
- Cinema and Sexualities
- Film and Revolution
- Hollywood Industry and Imaginary
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Drama and Film Studies at University of Sussex earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £34,500. The £29,000 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Media studies.
What do graduates of BA Drama and Film Studies at University of Sussex 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 Drama and Film Studies at University of Sussex?
78% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Drama and Film Studies at University of Sussex?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 124 UCAS points.
Does BA Drama and Film Studies at University of Sussex include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Drama and Film Studies at University of Sussex?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.