BA Film Studies
About this course
BA (Hons) in Film Studies, a film studies degree centred on the analysis of cinema history, global film movements, and cultural contexts. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students participate in annual events such as the Aesthetica Short Film Festival and complete employability placements with local partners. The first year establishes fundamental competencies through modules such as Filmmakers on Film, Cult and Extreme Cinema, Britain on Film, Research in Practice, Film History: Industry, Technology, Exhibition, and Cinema and Society. The second year expands into specialized genres and critical debates with compulsory study in Gothic and Horror, Movies at the Margins, Imaginary Worlds: Researching Science Fiction, Film and the American Imagination, and Media Enterprise, alongside optional study in European Cinema. The final year involves advanced theoretical and practical exploration through compulsory modules including Dissertation, Animations, Documentary Film Studies, and Transnational Cinema, supplemented by optional choices in Gender and Sexualities and Pop Americana: Contemporary Popular Culture.
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
Minimum entry requirements: 104 UCAS Tariff points; and 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
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What students say
Based on about 22 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 84%
- Learning resources: 83%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 65 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 84%
- Left higher education: 8%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 8%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 17%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 58%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 3%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 90 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 98%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Filmmakers on Film
- Cult and Extreme Cinema
- Britain on Film
- Research in Practice
- Film History: Industry, Technology, Exhibition
- Cinema and Society
- Gothic and Horror
- Movies at the Margins
- Imaginary Worlds: Researching Science Fiction
- Film and the American Imagination
- Media Enterprise
- European Cinema
- Dissertation
- Animations
- Documentary Film Studies
- Transnational Cinema
- Gender and Sexualities
- Pop Americana: Contemporary Popular Culture
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Film Studies at York St John University earn?
The median salary is £23,000 after 15 months, £18,000 after 3 years, £22,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,000 and £26,500. The £22,500 median after five years is £3,500 less than the UK median for Media studies.
What do graduates of BA Film Studies at York St John University do next?
85% 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 York St John University?
91% 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 York St John University?
The average entrant had 110 UCAS points.
Does BA Film Studies at York St John 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 York St John University?
84% of students continued into their second year, and 8% left higher education.