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Film Studies BA

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Overview

The Film Studies BA is taught in the heart of London within easy reach of the IMAX, the BFI Southbank and the British Film Institute Library, the Barbican Centre, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, not to mention a large concentration of cinemas. Our degree will provide you with detailed knowledge of both the creative potential of film and the relationship between film and the societies it portrays, setting you up for a career in media arts and related industries. Study an array of topics from different times and places, whilst making use of our well-equipped and enviable facilities.

 

Key benefits

  • Broad list of modules covering popular European and Asian film, underground and cult cinemas, documentary and new media, among many other areas
  • Enviable facilities including two dedicated, fully-equipped lecture-seminar rooms, a large film theatre with 35mm/digital projection, and a huge collection of print, VHS and DVD/ Blu-ray materials in the Maughan Library
  • Wide range of student societies, including an active film making society
  • We offer a friendly and supportive learning environment with a diverse and inclusive curriculum
  • Our central location offers exciting possibilities for further access to film, most notably King’s close proximity to the British Film Institute
  • We provide a foundation for pursuing careers in the media, arts, and related activities

Key information

UCAS code P303

Duration Three years

Study mode Full-time

Course type Single honours

Further details

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Arts & Humanities

Department Department of Film Studies

Locations

 

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Film Studies

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Course detail

Description

The cinema was the most exciting art form to emerge in the 20th century, and new modes of cinematic production and delivery are continuing to challenge and expand our understanding of what cinema is.

Our Film Studies BA develops your knowledge of classical and contemporary cinema and of how cinematic and electronic images mediate society. It enables you to analyse film and electronic media, as well as understand and appreciate their creative potential. It gives you in-depth knowledge of the intellectual debates that form the discipline of film studies and its relationships with other disciplines, such as literature, art history, philosophy, architecture, music, politics and digital media. It also provides an excellent background for pursuing careers in the media arts and related activities.

Teaching style

King’s has made a significant investment in the study of film and related media, including an extensive collection of print and audio-visual material (DVD, Blu-ray, streaming sites), facilities for 35mm screening, as well as all necessary information technology resources. All of our modules will be taught in well-equipped rooms through a combination of screening, lectures and seminars.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations.  Forms of assessment may typically include essays, presentations, and examinations.

Location

Located at the King’s College London Strand Campus, we are fortunate to be in the heart of London’s arts and media district, offering many exciting possibilities for further access to film. We are close to the British Film Institute Library, the premier film research library. Just across Waterloo Bridge is the South Bank arts complex, including the IMAX Cinema, as well as the new BFI Southbank (three screens), which contains the BFI Mediatheque, a studio cinema, and a gallery among other facilities.

The course is primarily taught at King’s College London Strand Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.
Required Modules

We currently offer the following six required 15-credit modules for study in the first year:

  • Introduction to Film Studies: Forms (15 credits)
  • Research & Scholarship in Film Studies (15 credits)
  • Critical Debates in Film Studies (15 credits)
  • Film History: 1895–1930 (15 credits)
  • Film History: 1930–1960 (15 credits)
  • Film History: 1960–1990 (15 credits)

A complete list of modules and descriptions can be found on our Department website.

Optional Modules
  • Introduction to Film Studies: Contexts (15 credits)
  • Film History: 1990 to the present (15 credits)

Students in the first year may take up to 30 credits in another department, subject to approval by the Head of Department and the Programme Administrator.

Year 2

When studying in your second year, you will study two required 15-credit modules.

As a second-year student, you also have the option to study abroad for either the second semester of the second year, or the first semester of the third year. 

Required Modules

 You are required to take the following modules:

Optional Modules

In addition, you will choose six 15-credit modules from a wide range of options, which may typically include:

·         Asian Popular Cinemas (15 credits)

·         Cinema & Spectatorship (15 credits)

·         British National Cinema (15 credits)

·         Authorship & Creativity in the Cinema (15 credits)

·         Film Forms (eg Documentary Film, Avante-garde Cinema) (15 credits)

·         The French New Wave (15 credits)

·         Italian Neorealism (15 credits)

·         Contemporary European Cinema (15 credits)

·         Topics in World Cinema (15 credits)

·         Chinese Cinemas (15 credits)

·         American Independent Cinema (15 credits)

·         Television Studies (15 credits)

Students in the second year may take up to 30 credits in another department. Students may also take an additional 15 credits for an Internship module; those students who do may take up to 15 credits per year in another department. All of these options are subject to approval by the Head of Department and the Programme Administrator.

 

As a second-year student, you also have the option to study abroad for either the second semester of the second year, or the first semester of the third year. Partner institutions currently include:

1.       University of California

2.       University of Toronto (third-year, first semester students only)

3.       Hong Kong University (second-year, second semester students only)

4.       University of Chicago (third-year, first semester students only)

5.       Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris III (basic French language required)

6.       University of Wisconsin-Madison

7.       University of Michigan

8.       University of Kyoto (Japanese language required)

 

9.       Ritsumeikan University (Japanese language required)

In addition, you will choose six 15-credit modules from a wide range of options, which may typically include:

·         Asian Popular Cinemas (15 credits)

·         Cinema & Spectatorship (15 credits)

·         British National Cinema (15 credits)

·         Authorship & Creativity in the Cinema (15 credits)

·         Film Forms (eg Documentary Film, Avante-garde Cinema) (15 credits)

·         The French New Wave (15 credits)

·         Italian Neorealism (15 credits)

·         Contemporary European Cinema (15 credits)

·         Topics in World Cinema (15 credits)

·         Chinese Cinemas (15 credits)

·         American Independent Cinema (15 credits)

·         Television Studies (15 credits)

Students in the second year may take up to 30 credits in another department. Students may also take an additional 15 credits for an Internship module; those students who do may take up to 15 credits per year in another department. All of these options are subject to approval by the Head of Department and the Programme Administrator.

 

As a second-year student, you also have the option to study abroad for either the second semester of the second year, or the first semester of the third year. Partner institutions currently include:

1.       University of California

2.       University of Toronto (third-year, first semester students only)

3.       Hong Kong University (second-year, second semester students only)

4.       University of Chicago (third-year, first semester students only)

5.       Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris III (basic French language required)

6.       University of Wisconsin-Madison

7.       University of Michigan

8.       University of Kyoto (Japanese language required)

9.       Ritsumeikan University (Japanese language required)

 

Year 3

In your final year of Film Studies at King’s, you’ll be taking three required modules plus four optional modules.

Required Modules

You are required to take the following modules:

Optional Modules

Additionally, you will take 60 credits from a wide range of module options, which may typically include:

  • Global Cult Cinema (15 credits)
  • American Underground Cinema (15 credits)
  • Cinema & Social Formations (15 credits)
  • Film Genre: Hollywood Musical (15 credits)
  • Documentary in the Twenty-First Century (15 credits)
  • Film Noir (15 credits)
  • Film & Religion (15 credits)
  • Film & Architecture (15 credits)
  • American Underground Cinema (15 credits)
  • Stardom and Performance (15 credits)
  • New Waves in East Asian Cinema (15 credits)
  • Film Festivals & Film Festival Studies (15 credits)

 

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Entry requirements

 

Required grades

AAB

Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A-levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer.

Required grades

35 points overall (including TOK/EE) with three Higher Level subjects at 665

Required grades

45 Level 3 credits: 33 must be from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining Level 3 credits at Merit

Required grades

D3 D3 M2

Combinations of Pre-U principal subjects and other qualifications (such as A-levels).

Required grades

Further information below

If you are taking the new RQF BTEC Nationals (2016), you will not be required to fulfil the module requirement stipulated above - you will only need to get the right overall grade. If you are taking the QCF BTEC Nationals (2010), you must achieve both the required overall grade and the specified module grades. If you are unsure which BTEC you are studying, your teacher or school/college counsellor should be able to tell you.

Required grades

Further information below

If you are taking the new RQF BTEC Nationals (2016), you will not be required to fulfil the module requirement stipulated above - you will only need to get the right overall grade. If you are taking the QCF BTEC Nationals (2010), you must achieve both the required overall grade and the specified module grades. If you are unsure which BTEC you are studying, your teacher or school/college counsellor should be able to tell you.

Required grades

Further information below

If you are taking the new RQF BTEC Nationals (2016), you will not be required to fulfil the module requirement stipulated above - you will only need to get the right overall grade. If you are taking the QCF BTEC Nationals (2010), you must achieve both the required overall grade and the specified module grades. If you are unsure which BTEC you are studying, your teacher or school/college counsellor should be able to tell you.

Required grades

80% overall

Required grades

Visit our admissions webpages to view our international entry requirements and English language entry requirements.

Required subjects

An essay-based humanities subject.

Preferred subjects

None.

Further information and other requirements

Entry requirements
A-Level AAB

Must include an essay based subject

Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A-levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer.
Access to HE Diploma

D: 33 credits

M: 12 credits

P: 0 credits

 Access to Humanities (or similar) Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits: 33 must be from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining Level 3 credits at Merit.
Cambridge Pre-U D3 D3 M2

 Must include an essay based subject.

Combinations of Pre-U principal subjects and other qualifications (such as A-levels) considered.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF from 2010)   DDM with eleven Distinctions and two A levels at grades AB or DDM with ten Distinctions and two A levels at grades AA, including at least one essay-based humanities subject.
BTEC Level 3 Diploma (QCF from 2010)   DM with six Distinctions and two A levels at grades AB or DM with four Distinctions and two A levels at grades AA, including at least one essay-based humanities subject.
BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (QCF from 2010)   D with four modules at Distinction and two A levels at grades AB or M and two A levels at grades AA, including at least one essay-based humanities subject.
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers

AAB at Higher

and

AB at Advanced Highers

Must include an essay based subject at Advanced Higher level.

Must be a combination of three Scottish Highers and two Scottish Advanced Highers. We do not count the Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject.
International Baccalaureate 35 points including 6,6,5 at Higher Level. Note the total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.
Other International Qualifications   Visit our admissions webpages to view our international entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band B Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

Selection procedure

Application deadline: January 15th 2020

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

Full time tuition fees UK:

The UK tuition fee for the 2020-2021 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.

Full time tuition fees EU:

Students starting their programme in 2020/21 (September 2020) who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.

The UK tuition fee for the 2020-2021 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.

Full time tuition fees International:

The International tuition fee for the 2020-2021 academic year is £19,800 per year.

Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year’s tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.

 

Additional costs/expenses

If you study abroad as part of your course, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). Please see the Study Abroad webpages for details of the relevant partner universities.

King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees.  At present these are as follows: 

  • Home students studying for a semester abroad will receive an invoice for £6,000 for King’s tuition fees for the year.
  • Overseas students studying for a semester abroad will receive an invoice for two thirds of the King's tuition fees for the year.

You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. 

In addition to the costs above, you can also expect to pay for: 

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Graduation costs
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 

For further information, please visit our fees and funding pages.

 

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Our Film Studies graduates work in a range of careers, often directly connected to their education at King’s. Some pursue graduate work in filmmaking, acting and other creative aspects of the film and media industries. Others move on to film studies at graduate level. The study of film can also lead to exciting careers in print and media journalism, arts and other cultural management positions, film preservation and curating.

Career destinations

Recent graduates have found employment as:

  • Broadcast Assistants
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor of Communications
  • Location Managers
  • Producers
  • Researchers

 

Testimonials

Andrei

Andrei

I get to watch a lot of film, including titles I’ve never even heard of, although before coming here I thought there was nothing new  again after seeing thousands of films! The curriculum is diverse, interactive and always keeping my interest bar to the maximum.

Sebastien

Sebastien

I’m very glad I chose King’s as it has fulfilled anything I ever expected from university and more. I know that once I hit the job market, a degree from King’s will be very highly regarded.

Lauren

Lauren

I chose King’s in particular because of its amazing reputation and also because it offers an excellent film studies course. It is 100 per cent theoretical and since I’m more interested in film criticism than filmmaking, I felt the degree was practically tailor-made for me! 

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