There is so much more to Film Studies than simply watching films. When watching a film, we might regard it as relaxation or escapism. However, the in-depth study of film involves coming from a very different starting point. As well as gaining an appreciation of film as an art form in terms of its visual storytelling, studying film can enhance your understanding of the world in terms of competing values, attitudes and beliefs. Film Studies also incorporates a creative production element where you will be able to put what you have learnt into practice by making a short film or writing a screenplay.
With trips to Berlin Film Festival, New York and London Film Studies is an extremely enjoyable and worthwhile subject to study, but expect to be constantly challenged and excited by the course. Not only will it change the way you watch film, but more importantly it will challenge you to think in new ways and question or change your perspective on a whole host of issues, for example, representation of race or gender. Studying film allows you to understand important issues and developments within history, society and culture, using film as the medium with which to gain a greater insight into these areas. From Silent Cinema and Buster Keaton to Contemporary Hollywood and La La Land, the films on this course have great critical reputations.
They represent different time periods and different moments in history showing alternative representations of culture and people. In addition, the development of deeper critical and creative thinking gained by studying film can enhance many different career paths and is a much sought after transferable skill in both employment and further study.
You are required to have 5 GCSEs at grade 4-9, including English Language and/or Maths at a grade 4.
At A Level there are 2 exams, each worth 35%, and a 30% assessment of production work.
The exams are 150 minutes long and consist of answering 3 extended response questions on Component 1 and 4 extended response questions on Component 2. There is a creative production element which allows you to showcase the film-making or screenwriting skills you have developed during the course: Short film (video) or Short Film Screenplay (with storyboard) and Evaluative Analysis.
The study of film is highly regarded. Film Studies has been an academic discipline within universities for over 50 years and is regarded as an academic subject in its own right. Oxford and Cambridge are now offering Masters and PHD courses in Film Studies and Screen Arts.
On successful completion of this qualification you can progress onto:
● Higher Education - Russell Group universities accept Film Studies as an appropriate A level qualification when prospective students apply to study a humanities or arts related discipline.
● Film-Making
● Directing
● Producing
● Editing
● Film Criticism
● Journalism
● Teaching and Education
● Apprenticeships or higher level apprenticeships
Please Note: While every effort is made to maintain the accuracy of these details, changes can and do occur. Please confirm the course details when enrolling.