BA (Hons) Film and Television Studies (Full Time)

One of the UK's leading undergraduate courses in film and television, this degree offers a creative approach to theoretical study and hands-on production.

Course overview

This exciting degree is one of the few in the UK to combine the critical study of film and television with practical skills, uniquely designed to give you a head start in the creative industries.

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History and theory units covering early, classical and contemporary film and television are complemented by specialist topics such as guerrilla filmmaking, horror and fantasy film and cult television drama. In our professional studio space, you will learn single and multi-camera production, and gain experience with the latest technologies, ranging from 16mm to High Definition digital film. 

The degree enables graduates to enter employment in a variety of fields – in the creative industries and beyond – as well as going on to study at postgraduate level or entering teaching. 

Industrial focus

Key features of the course include: a visiting speakers’ programme and master classes with industry professionals (past guest speakers include: Michael Apted, Mark Kermode and Alan Parker); annual film festival trips (including Rotterdam, New York and Berlin); the opportunity to join the editorial board for student-led film and television review magazine Diegesis; the chance to have work screened at the city-wide Southampton Film Week. 

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Course content 

Year 1

Six core modules:

• Studying the Moving Image
• Filming Fiction: Drama Production
• Real Stories: Documentary Production
• Issues in Television History
• Issues in Film History
• Introduction to Screenwriting. 

Year 2

Three core modules and two options:

• Critical Approaches to Film and Television
• Screen Audiences
• Hollywood Cinema Before and After Television.

Options, including:

• Guerrilla Filmmaking
• British TV Drama
• Screenwriting
• Short Story Cinema
• Gender and Sexuality on Screen
• Crime and Noir
• World Cinema
• 16mm Film
• Cinematography and Sound
• Directing and Editing. 

Year 3

Three core modules and one option:

• British Film and Television
• Film and Television in the Global Age
• Major Project
  ◦ Dissertation: individual research project, or
  ◦ Production: TV studio, drama, documentary or experimental film, or
  ◦ Script: feature-length, pilot or series.

Options, including:

• Cinefantastic
• Cult Film and TV
• Stars and Performance
• The Time Machine
• Tortured Cinema
• Visualising War. 

Why choose this course?

• The staff team are experts in their fields, including academics, screenwriters, producers, and directors.
• The opportunity to use excellent production and post-production facilities including state-of-the-art HD studios with green screen; digital, high definition and 16mm editing facilities; and a new 35mm theatre with 3-D and surround sound.
• Gain a wide range of career skills such as creative-thinking, organisational, research and presentation skills that are highly valued by employers
• Graduate destinations include: Warner Bros., Fox London, The Coast 106, Talk Back Thames, Aquarius Sound, Company Pictures, Solent Productions.
• Extracurricular opportunities: gain invaluable work experience by joining the course-led film and television magazine and the opportunity to have your work published; get involved with Southampton Film Week and Ejector Film Festival; join Sonar Film Club; film festival trips; present your work at the British Conference for Undergraduate Research.
• Multiple opportunities to collaborate with musicians, actors, designers, animators and technicians from across the University.

Assessment

Generally by coursework in the form of essay, presentation, student-led seminar, script, portfolio and completed film/television production. There is one exam in Year one.

Key career skills

Writing, creative thinking, problem-solving, presentation, research, self-evaluation, teamwork, project management, working to deadlines. 

Projects/work experience

Students have the unique opportunity to work on the editorial board for a film and television review magazine run by students and staff. You can participate in outside broadcasting and filming opportunities at events such as Glastonbury, Cowes Week and Southampton Football Club matches. There is also the opportunity to work with external clients via Solent Creatives and Solent Productions.