Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,155 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
3 / 4 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
P303
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Develop your passion for film by learning from industry experts.
- Study films from around the world and explore the changing nature of cinema.
- Kickstart your career with accredited work placements.
- Benefit from our state-of-the-art cinema facilities, specially designed to show films in a range of formats.
We’re proud to be one of the longest-established film studies courses in the UK. You’ll study a wide range of disciplines, from critical thinking skills to genre films – all while examining the changing face of the cinema industry. You’ll have hands-on opportunities to develop a rich professional profile and gain specialist skills in film programming, film education and film journalism.
Find out more about the student projects and opportunities on our film and screenwriting courses.
Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Student satisfaction
This course scored 94% for overall student satisfaction, with 96% satisfied with teaching quality in the 2024 National Student Survey.
How you learn
Our team of experts will help you gain in-depth knowledge while nurturing the skills you need – in everything from film criticism to festival curation. When you’re ready, we’ll introduce you to our professional network, opening real-world opportunities for you to gain experience in the film and cultural industries.
You learn through
- film festivals
- film screenings
- video essays
- film programming and marketing
- professional writing portfolios
- lectures
- seminars
- presentations
You may also be able to work or study abroad with the possibility of funding through the Turing scheme.
100% of students on this course were satisfied with academic support in the 2024 National Student Survey.
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Emmie McFadden
Course Leader BA Film StudiesMy teaching on the Film Studies course focuses on exploring notions of 'hidden-ness' in film and film history, and I seek to uncover and make more visible the presen … Read more
Applied learning
Work placements and live projects
You’ll collaborate with a wide network of industry, charity, and community partners — showcasing your knowledge and skills. You’ll work independently and in diverse teams at each stage of your study, bringing your ideas to life in response to real briefs. In your second year you’ll curate and build your professional profile, by taking a credit-bearing placement in collaboration with one of our partners that connects your work with audiences.
Field trips
We run regular field trips to film festivals and cinema visits. Our students have visited Berlin Film Festival, Salford MediaCity, Bradford WideScreen Weekend, BFI Southbank, and participated in Sheffield Doc/Fest, Celluloid Screams, Sensoria, and Festival of Debate.
Networking opportunities
We work with nationally and internationally renowned festivals such as Doc/Fest, Celluloid Screams, and Off the Shelf, as well as bringing leading talent in film programming, film journalism, and film festival organisers to Sheffield to work with our students. You’ll benefit from regular networking opportunities and masterclass events, and get a head start into the creative industries.
We invite specialist speakers from different cultural sectors to talk to our students about professional careers in film.
We’ve previously welcomed
- Pamela Hutchinson – Freelance writer for Sight and Sound
- Melanie Iredale – Deputy Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest
- Mikeala Smith – Programme Manager, Showroom Cinema
- Ricky Charlesworth – Teacher in Film and Media, Rotherham College
- Lewis Coates – Screenwriter, director, and videographer
- Isabelle France – Film Marketing, Showroom Cinema
- Jaq Chell – Head of Operations, Cinema For All
We have a strong alumni network and will encourage you to connect with a variety of external partners to better understand the career and professional opportunities open to you. Our careers services are available from your very first day and support you beyond graduation. Expert advisers can help you discover future careers, develop your professional skills, and help you to stand out when you apply for jobs.
You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- film journalism
- teaching in film and media
- film programming and curation
- events management
- arts administration
- community development
- the cultural industries
Our Film Studies graduates have gone into exciting careers in
- Sheffield Doc/Fest
- Queen’s Film Theatre
- Film Hub North
- Showroom Cinema
- Sky Sports
- Site Gallery
- Rotherham College
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- a specialist cinema equipped with state-of-the-art 4K digital projection, twin 35mm film projectors, DCP projector, large screen and surround sound.
- industry-standard digital software, including Premier Pro, InDesign, and Audition.
- an extensively stocked learning centre with 10000s of Blu-rays, DVDs and film books/journals.
- a unique collection of archival material on microfiche
- individual viewing facilities for private study with access to the BFI's SIFT database
- dedicated co-working space equipped with flexible desks, large screens, laptop library, comfy seating, and a shared kitchen where you can collaborate with other students in the Department of Humanities, to shape your next big idea.
Media Gallery
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112 -120
This must include at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- BBC-BBB at A Level.
- DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Merit overall from a T level qualification
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
• English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4
• Access - at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent
We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.
Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Approaches To Film Analysis
Film Movements And Audiences
Film Poetics
Thinking About Movies
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Film Journalism
Rights, Camera, Action
Screen Storytelling
World-Wide Cinema
Elective modules
Study Abroad - Creative Industries
Year 3
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Film Programming: Cinemas, Festivals, And Communities
Film Research Project
Moving Image Research Project
Specialising In Film: Teaching, Writing And Publishing
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2025/26 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 153.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
