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Qualification type
BA (Hons)

Film Studies

UCAS code P303

Entry requirements
A level: ABB
View full requirements
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 years
Start date and application deadlines
Start date
September 2025
Apply by:
Starts on:

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.

How to apply

Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2025 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.

Combine this subject

With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.

  • Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
  • Choose joint or major minor subjects
  • Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
  • Same number of credits as single honours students
  • Same classes as single honours students
  • Appeal to a wide range of employers

Explore combined degrees for Communication, Film and Media courses

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About this course

Films have been vital cultural outputs for over one hundred years. The context in which they are produced and distributed is constantly changing but their importance as documents of our times remains, as does the pleasure they give to audiences across the world and their potential influence on the way those audiences may see the world.


Introduction

Film Studies at Liverpool offers you the chance to study with recognised scholars of film cultures and industries around the world, offering a wide-ranging and sophisticated academic programme in this critical field.

Our students have an interest in world cultures and a desire to fully appreciate the ways in which these cultures have expressed themselves through film. We encourage you to become an independent learner and can offer a variety of support to aid this development.

Students develop a high level of creative, intellectual, analytical, digital and interpersonal employability skills as well as intercultural and transnational awareness.


What you'll learn

  • An understanding of the economic forces framing film production and the film industry, and the role of the film industry in contemporary political and cultural life
  • The historical evolution of film, its genres, aesthetic traditions and forms, and their current characteristics and possible future developments
  • Knowledge of the social, cultural and political history of the film industry in a local, community, regional, national, international or global contexts and of the relations which exist between different national cinemas and film industries
  • Knowledge of how a film is produced and of the practical considerations pertaining to production, distribution, circulation, reception and exploitation (this course however does not include practical filmmaking)
  • Development of creative, intellectual, analytical, digital, cognitive and research skills
  • Acquisition of transferrable skills including confidence, digital fluency, and global citizenship
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We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.


Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

Year one introduces you to film language, approaches to film and a variety of introductory language modules.

Students take 45 credits of required modules and 15 credits of optional modules in each semester.

Language modules must be taken in pairs.

Year two

Year two gives you the opportunity to specialise your interests and start to focus your degree into specific areas that you would like to learn more about.

Students take 15 credits of required modules and 45 credits of optional modules in each semester.

Students cannot take more than 60 credits of COMM and/or MUSI optional modules per year. An additional 15 credits may be taken from COMM and/or MUSI optional modules or from cognate subjects elsewhere in the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures with prior permission from the Subject Lead.

Normally, students wishing to take MUSI205 should have taken MUSI109 or have equivalent experience.

Students wishing to take MUSI206 must have taken MUSI106, MUSI107, and/or MUSI109 or have equivalent experience as approved by the Module Convenor.

FILM200 is subject to a suitable placement being sourced.  Students cannot register for this module directly.

Registration onto HLAC220 is only for students planning to undertake a Work Placement Year.

Year three

Year three modules allow you to specialise further; you will either undertake a research project or dissertation, undertaking detailed and independent research.

Students take 60 credits of optional modules in each semester.

Students must take one of MODL321, MODL322 or MODL307.

MODL307 is a ‘year-long’ module and represents 15 credits in each semester.  Students should normally have a year two average of 60% to undertake this module.

Combined degree

Choosing this subject as a combined degree

You can take Film Studies as part of a combined degree. If you study Film Studies and another subject (50/50) you will take 60 credits in Film per year.

In year one you will take FILM101, FILM104, FILM102 and MUSI170.

In year two you will take 15 credits of required and 15  credits of optional Film Studies modules in each semester. FILM201 and FILM204 are the required modules.

In year three you will take 30 credits of optional Film Studies modules in each semester. In year three you may do a dissertation module in Film Studies or in your other joint subject (but not both).

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

You will experience a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, with no modules being taught entirely through lectures. Most teaching takes place in small groups where you’ll share and explore ideas with your tutors and peers. You’ll also attend workshops and lectures and self-direct study through the course reading list and conducting research for your essays and projects. Academic staff are available on a weekly basis for one-to-one feedback and support through designated office hours. Course material is available 24-hours a day on Canvas, our online learning platform, and study support is available from our dedicated student services team.

Audio-visual materials are obviously inherent in a film studies course: all films are shown to students once in quasi-cinema conditions, and DVD copies are available for subsequent private study.

Students are also expected to make regular use of our fully-refurbished Language Lounge which houses a range of Film Studies material to enhance their own study. We encourage our students to become independent learners, and support them through our dedicated library resources in the Sydney Jones Library which is open 24-hour in term time.

How you're assessed

Assessment strategies vary with different modules; apart from traditional written examinations and assessed essays, assignments may include close analysis of short pieces of film text, sometimes in exam conditions; presentations undertaken either individually or as part of a group; the preparation of case studies around a particular audio-visual project; blog entries; brief reports; literature reviews and others. We are constantly reviewing our assessment strategies with the aim of offering a variety which allow students to develop different skills. The length and complexity of coursework assessments increases from year one, where written work is brief and skills are developed at a basic level, to year three when students are expected to produce quite complex work involving substantial individual initiative.

Liverpool Hallmarks

We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

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Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

  • Learn Chinese
  • Study in a bustling world heritage city
  • Improve employment prospects
  • Study Chinese culture
  • 30 minutes from Shanghai
  • Learn new skills

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

Year abroad

Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.

  • Choose from up-to 26 countries
  • Experience another way of life
  • Inspire your future career or studies
  • Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
  • More likely to earn higher salary
  • More likely to be employed after graduating

Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • USA

More about taking a year abroad

Semester abroad

Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

  • Inspire your future career or studies
  • Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
  • More likely to earn higher salary
  • More likely to be employed after graduating

More about taking a semester abroad

Summer abroad

Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

  • Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
  • Study abroad without adding an extra year
  • Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
  • Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline

Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?

  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • South Korea

More about taking a summer abroad

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

  • A dedicated languages degree
  • A language as a joint or major/minor degree
  • Language modules (selected degrees)
  • Language classes alongside your studies

Read more about studying a language

Combine this subject

With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.

  • Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
  • Choose joint or major minor subjects
  • Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
  • Same number of credits as single honours students
  • Same classes as single honours students
  • Appeal to a wide range of employers

Explore combined degrees for Communication, Film and Media courses

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Your experience

Film Studies is part of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film, based in 1-7 Abercromby Square. Students experience teaching across a number of departments, and have access to a variety of Film Studies resources in the department’s Language Lounge for independent study.

Explore where you'll study

Film Studies student watching a French film on a computer with headphones
French film study
Group of students watching a film in the language lounge
Film Studies in the Language Lounge
Language lounge facilities including dedicated study spaces
Language Lounge
Group of students working in the language lounge
Group study in the language lounge
Photograph of the Victoria Gallery and Museum from across University Square
Victoria Gallery and Museum
Abercromby Square
Abercromby Square

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Two students chatting while walking through campus.

Chat with our students

Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.

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Careers and employability

The industry specific knowledge that you can acquire from a Film Studies degree will prepare you for a wide range of film-related careers in production, distribution, marketing, film writing and more broadly in media-related careers locally, nationally and internationally.

The programme more broadly allows students to develop transferable skills – critical thinking, writing and communication skills, presentation skills, independent research – which are crucial for a variety of careers beyond film and media.

Career paths could include:

  • Film and media companies (development, finance, marketing, distribution, exhibition, retail)
  • Writing for film related publications (trade press, newspapers, journals, blogs)
  • Film-related organisations (film festivals, film offices, film institutes, film libraries, film archives).
employment

82% of languages, cultures and film students are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.

(Discover Uni, 2018-19.)

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My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £9,535
Year abroad fee - £1,430 (applies to year in China)

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £24,100
Year abroad fee - £12,050 (applies to year in China)

The tuition fees shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.


Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.


Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

The Liverpool Bursary

If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Asylum Seekers Scholarship

Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Estranged Students Bursary

If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.

Nolan Scholarships

Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.

Rigby Enterprise Award

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.

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My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Qualification Details
A levels

ABB

Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements. For this course, the offer is BBB with B in the EPQ.

You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme. Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work.

Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.

T levels

T levels considered in a relevant subject.

Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism.

GCSE

4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics

Subject requirements

Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements. For this course, the offer is BBB with an B in the EPQ.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

Applications encouraged. We evaluate each BTEC application on its merits.

International Baccalaureate

33 with no score less than 4.

Irish Leaving Certificate H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

ABB in Advanced Highers, combinations of Advanced Highers and Scottish Highers are welcome

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Accepted grade A + 2 A Levels grades BB.
Access Pass access to HE Diploma with 30 Level 3 credits at distinction, and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit.
International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you.


English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

Qualification Details
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
TOEFL Paper Grade 7 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level
Duolingo English Test 125 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100
Pearson PTE Academic 61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic 70 overall, with no skill below 60
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced 176 overall, with no paper below 162
LanguageCert Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Pre-sessional English in detail

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score Pre-sessional English course length On campus or online
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 6 weeks On campus
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 10 weeks On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 12 weeks On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 20 weeks On campus
5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 30 weeks On campus
4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 40 weeks On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.


Alternative entry requirements

  • If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
  • If you are returning to learning, have had a disrupted education or are switching career pathways, the one-year Go Higher diploma qualifies you to apply for University of Liverpool arts, humanities and social sciences programmes
  • Applications from mature students are welcome.
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Entry requirements: which qualifications do you need?

Contact us

Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.

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Last updated 27 September 2024 / / Programme terms and conditions

Changes to Film Studies BA (Hons)

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

14 January 2025: Duolingo English Test requirements updated

Duolingo English Test requirements updated. See English language requirements for details of the revised requirements.

16 December 2024: Change to Year in Industry information

This course was updated to reflect the fact that an official “Year in Industry” option is not currently available.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.