BA Film Studies
About this course
BA (Hons) in Film Studies is a film studies degree focused on the history, theory, and practical production of cinema. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students can complete a three-year full-time programme or opt for a four-year placement variant, with teaching involving collaboration with Leicester's Phoenix Cinema and Arts Centre and guest lectures from industry professionals. The first year covers foundational topics through Filmmaking 1 – Introduction to Moving Image Production, Film History and Theory 1 - Foundations of Film Studies: Concepts, Analysis, Film History, The Film Industry 1 - Disney, Warner Bros and the Business of the Film Studio, and Professional Practice 1 – Film Reviewing. The second year expands into global and industrial contexts via Film History and Theory 2 – Cinemas of the World: Concepts, Movements, Case Studies, Filmmaking 2 - Moving Image Portfolio, Professional Practice 2 – Screen Archives: Preservation, Conservation and Usage, and The Film Industry 2 - Filmmakers. The final year centres on festival organisation and self-directed creative work through Professional Practice 3 - Planning Film Festivals, Professional Practice 4 - Delivering Film Festivals, Filmmaking 3 – Independent Project: Idea Development and Pre-production, and Filmmaking 4 – Independent Project: Production and Delivery. Students may also choose to follow a specialist route in Creative Writing, Drama, English Literature, History, Journalism or Media.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS points: 104 A Level: BCC BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM Contextual Offer: DMU operates a generous contextual offer for students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education. This is a minimum of one to two grade reduction from our typical offer and full details including eligibility criteria can be found at dmu.ac.uk/contextual T Levels: Merit Access to HE: Pass with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit International Baccalaureate (IB): 24 GCSEs: 5 x GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English and Maths If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 100%: 176 offers from 176 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 75%
- Learning opportunities: 71%
- Assessment and feedback: 76%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 65%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 30%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 40%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 200 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 41%
- West Midlands: 15%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 21%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Filmmaking 1 – Introduction to Moving Image Production
- Film History and Theory 1 - Foundations of Film Studies: Concepts, Analysis, Film History
- The Film Industry 1 - Disney, Warner Bros and the Business of the Film Studio
- Professional Practice 1 – Film Reviewing
- Film History and Theory 2 – Cinemas of the World: Concepts, Movements, Case Studies
- Filmmaking 2 - Moving Image Portfolio
- Professional Practice 2 – Screen Archives: Preservation, Conservation and Usage
- The Film Industry 2 - Filmmakers
- Professional Practice 3 - Planning Film Festivals
- Professional Practice 4 - Delivering Film Festivals
- Filmmaking 3 – Independent Project: Idea Development and Pre-production
- Filmmaking 4 – Independent Project: Production and Delivery
- Prerequisite modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Film Studies at De Montfort University earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £30,000.
What do graduates of BA Film Studies at De Montfort University do next?
70% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Film Studies at De Montfort University?
75% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Film Studies at De Montfort University?
The typical offer is BCC at A level. The average entrant had 89 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Film Studies at De Montfort University?
100% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 176 offers from 176 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Film Studies at De Montfort University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Film Studies at De Montfort University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.