(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Film Studies
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
English
BA W620
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A-levels: ABB, including one essay based subject
BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655, either must include a Higher Level essay based subject grade 5.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma:15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College here.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Andrew Birtwistle
Reader in Film and Sound
Canterbury Christ Church University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To familiarise students with essential concepts of film form .
To enable students to be exposed to a range of filmic texts, informed by social, thematic, formal, and theoretical perspectives .
To provide specialised Film Studies modules .
To provide students with some experience of film/digital production techniques .
To encourage students to work in a scholarly manner in specific fields of investigation .
To encourage students to make conceptual links between theoretical and practical work in film .
To enhance students career options .
To help prepare qualified students' for progression to postgraduate study .
To understand the methodology necessary for undertaking a close analysis of a text passage or film extract.
To acquire the critical terminology to identify and name the literary devices at work in a text.
To work in a small group to prepare a presentation that demonstrates the skills involved in the close reading of an unseen text.
To appreciate the relationship between the written and the spoken language.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: A range of films from different genres and national cinemas
A2: Specialised topics in Film Studies in greater depth
A3: Aspects of the significant theoretical, thematic, and formal approaches to Film Studies and the social contexts in which films are made
A4: Standard terms and concepts employed in film analysis
A5: More general methods of critical analysis and argument
A6: Hands-on film/digital production techniques
Learning methods
Film theory and criticism: 1-5 are acquired through lectures, classes and assessed coursework (with regular feedback, both oral and written, from tutors).
Lectures and classes on the first and second year offer surveys of the significant areas covered in the scheme and address the major approaches and issues.
Weekly film screenings and supervised group discussion in all 3 years cover major periods and address major approaches and issues.
Year 1 and 2 classes focus in detail on visual textual examples, and give emphasis to student discussion of critical, historical, theoretical aspects of the text.
In Year 3, the format changes to two-hour seminars, which may include informal lectures/ presentations by the teacher and give further scope for students to practise their oral communication skills as well as to pursue more specialised areas of interest.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from classes and lectures by regularly consulting texts and IT materials related to the course.
This independent research is then consolidated in essay work.
Practical video production: 6 is learned in practical courses in the 1st and 2nd years, and can be continued in the 3rd year for those whose application for LT833 Independent Film Project is accepted.
Knowledge and understanding of practical production techniques is complemented by the abstract/conceptual teaching of film.
This allows students to put acquired terms and concepts into practice.
Close supervision takes place in the Media Centre and at Signals Media with instruction tutorials on equipment and observation of textual examples.
Weekly practical exercises break down the filmmaking process into components of technique, writing, acting, etc.
Student projects are assessed, but unassessed ongoing practical exercises enhance the learning process.
There is a presentation element to the project which consists of 20% of the final mark.
Assessment methods
Formal assessment of students' knowledge and understanding (1-5) takes place through coursework essays, written examinations, and in some cases oral presentation mark.
Collective and individual practical filmmaking projects (6, normally in the form of digital filming and editing) are assessed for quality, range, complexity, and technical competence.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Develop some skills in analysis and interpretation of films
B2: Reason in a critical manner and argue with a degree of clarity and coherence
B3: Consider connections between filmic texts and their contexts
B4: Reflect in a critical manner on the creative film-making process
B5: Show some ability to apply theoretical concepts in a practical context
Learning methods
1-4: These skills are developed in seminar discussions, class presentations (which may form the basis of essays) followed by questions and answers, guided instruction of primary and secondary sources in seminars, guided analysis of visual material in seminars, oral and written feedback on essays.
5 is applied through guided instruction, questions and answers, individual consultation, and pre-production preparatory assignments in the practical course components.
Individual guidance, in addition to formal seminars, is available in posted office hours during the preparation of essays and of practical projects.
Assessment methods
1-4 are assessed in course essays, in some cases oral presentations, and examinations.
5 is assessed in practical projects and exams.
C: Practical skills
C1: Perform basic analysis of film images, deploying a vocabulary of cinematic terms
C2: Organise, structure and present an argument in writing, having had guidance in putting forward critical positions
C3: Compile and present bibliographies, according to models provided
C4: Provide references and notations according to standard conventions
C5: Use libraries and IT to gain access to a variety of scholarly sources
C6: Plan and execute a basic practical film/digital project
C7: Work co-operatively on a practical project
Learning methods
Skills 1 and 2 are developed through coursework and discussion in classes and seminars, and through individual consultation in office hours.
Feedback is provided through oral and written comments on essays.
Guidance on skills 3-5 is provided in the LiFTS handbook and essay feedback through all 3 years, and office hour consultation.
5 is additionally provided in optional information sessions offered by the Library.
6 and 7 are developed through specific units on pre-production, production, and post-production techniques in the practical modules and in the process of putting together a practical projects for these modules.
Assessment methods
Essays and examinations assess skills 1 and 2.
Essays are additionally assessed for skills 3-4.
Practical projects assess skills 6-7.
D: Key skills
D1: The ability to communicate information, arguments and ideas with a degree of effectiveness in a range of different contexts; the ability to be a good listener; some ability to both comprehend and produce the visual language of film.
D2: Typing and word-processing skills; use of electronic library catalogues and email
D3: Minimal skill involved in management of essay length.
D4: Students should be able to manage projects and timetables; and to apply knowledge and understanding in order to make judgements and offer solutions in a range of scholarly and practical contexts.
D5: Students should be able to work co-operatively in a practical production context.
D6: Students should enhance the ability to work to deadlines; should take responsibility for their own work in individual and collective contexts; should reflect on their own performance and make constructive use of feedback.
Learning methods
Communication is developed through seminar discussions.
Visual media skills of analysis are developed through guided analysis and discussion of visual material in seminars.
These ideas are explored in a hand-on practical context through instruction in the practical components.
The development of communication skills may also be enhanced through more formal oral presentations in seminars, with further information supplied through subsequent questions and answers.
Students are expected to acquire IT skills based on some initial guidance, and tutors can provide additional guidance during office hours, while students can elect to follow Library-sponsored information sessions.
Students are given the opportunity to work constructively and productively in groups, particularly as part of the practical components of the degree.
Assessment methods
Essays are assessed for qualities that incorporate most of the skills outlined in D1, D2, D3, D4, and in D6.
All work must be submitted in typewritten form (normally word-processed) and must be presented according to the standard conventions outlined in the LiFTS handbook.
These skills are implicitly tested in examinations as well.
Practical projects address and assess skills in D5.