Qualification aims and objectives

Film Studies allows students insight into new worlds. Films are windows into contexts across space and time, and analysing films will allow you to think critically, create empathy, and reflect on yourself and the world. Studying Film improves creative thinking, teamwork, and communication. Regardless of the pathway you choose, these skills will serve you well.

The heart of Film Studies is analysis, reflection, and imaginative synthesis. Film Studies aims to promote your understanding of Film as a form, improve your knowledge of the history of film-making, and give you practice in the practical and technical skills of film production.

Course outline

This course takes two years to fully examine three strands of Film Studies:

• Textual analysis: the detailed study of film sequences
• Film theory and history: the study of film and film-making traditions from more than one country
• Creative process (film production): techniques and organisation of production

Course assessment

This course is assessed entirely through coursework, both externally and internally assessed. This will consist of an independent study of a minimum of two films, an oral presentation analysing a continuous film extract from a prescribed film, and the production of a film and trailer with accompanying portfolio.

Future courses & possible careers?

The skills developed in Film Studies are applicable across any career path: effective communication, teamwork, problem solving, critical analysis, and reflection.

Careers related particularly to Film Studies could include: broadcast engineer; location manager; programme researcher for broadcasting, film, or video; television/film/video producer; advertising director; arts director; marketing; journalism.

Many of these careers are competitive, so students are encouraged to seek work experience or to volunteer in order to give them a competitive edge when applying for jobs.

• Broadcast Engineer
• Location Manager
• Marketing
• Journalism