Explore the world through cinema and develop the skills you need for a future in film.
Develop your passion for film by learning from industry experts.
Study films from around the world and explore the changing nature of cinema.
Kickstart your career with accredited work placements.
Benefit from our state-of-the-art cinema facilities, specially designed to show films in a range of formats.

We’re proud to be one of the longest-established film studies courses in the UK. You’ll study a wide range of disciplines, from critical thinking skills to genre films – all while examining the changing face of the cinema industry. You’ll have hands-on opportunities to develop a rich professional profile and gain specialist skills in film programming, film education and film journalism.

Work placements and live projects

You’ll collaborate with a wide network of industry, charity, and community partners — showcasing your knowledge and skills. You’ll work independently and in diverse teams at each stage of your study, bringing your ideas to life in response to real briefs. In your second year you’ll curate and build your professional profile, by taking a credit-bearing placement in collaboration with one of our partners that connects your work with audiences.

Field trips

We run regular field trips to film festivals and cinema visits. Our students have visited Berlin Film Festival, Salford MediaCity, Bradford WideScreen Weekend, BFI Southbank, and participated in Sheffield Doc/Fest, Celluloid Screams, Sensoria, and Festival of Debate.

Networking opportunities

We work with nationally and internationally renowned festivals such as Doc/Fest, Celluloid Screams, and Off the Shelf, as well as bringing leading talent in film programming, film journalism, and film festival organisers to Sheffield to work with our students. You’ll benefit from regular networking opportunities and masterclass events, and get a head start into the creative industries.

We invite specialist speakers from different cultural sectors to talk to our students about professional careers in film.

We’ve previously welcomed

• Pamela Hutchinson – Freelance writer for Sight and Sound
• Melanie Iredale – Deputy Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest
• Mikeala Smith – Programme Manager, Showroom Cinema
• Ricky Charlesworth – Teacher in Film and Media, Rotherham College
• Lewis Coates – Screenwriter, director, and videographer
• Isabelle France – Film Marketing, Showroom Cinema
• Jaq Chell – Head of Operations, Cinema For All

We have a strong alumni network and will encourage you to connect with a variety of external partners to better understand the career and professional opportunities open to you. Our careers services are available from your very first day and support you beyond graduation. Expert advisers can help you discover future careers, develop your professional skills, and help you to stand out when you apply for jobs.

You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Our team of experts will help you gain in-depth knowledge while nurturing the skills you need – in everything from film criticism to festival curation. When you’re ready, we’ll introduce you to our professional network, opening real-world opportunities for you to gain experience in the film and cultural industries.

You learn through

• film festivals 
• film screenings
• video essays
• film programming and marketing
• professional writing portfolios 
• lectures
• seminars
• presentations

You may also be able to work or study abroad with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (until 2023) or the Turing scheme.

This course prepares you for a career in:

• film journalism
• teaching in film and media
• film programming and curation
• events management
• arts administration
• community development
• the cultural industries

 

Our Film Studies graduates have gone into exciting careers in

• Sheffield Doc/Fest
• Queen’s Film Theatre
• Film Hub North
• Showroom Cinema
• Sky Sports
• Site Gallery
• Rotherham College

 

UCAS points

• 104

This must include at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:

• BCC at A Level.
• DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
• A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

• English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4

• Access - at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent

We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.

Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.

Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

 

Year 1 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Cinema And Genre	20	Coursework
Cinemania	20	Coursework
Film Analysis	20	Coursework
Film Consumption	20	Coursework
Film Movements	20	Coursework
Thinking About Movies	20	Coursework

 

 

 

Year 2 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
British Cinema	20	Coursework
Ideas Into Action	20	Coursework
World-Wide Cinema	20	Coursework

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
On The Box	20	Coursework
Rights, Camera, Action	20	Coursework
Screen Storytelling	20	Coursework
Show Business	20	Coursework Practical

 

Year 4 Optional modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Placement Year

 

Final Year Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Film Dissertation	40	Coursework

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Film Education	20	Coursework
Film Programming	20	Coursework
Framing Borders	20	Coursework
My Kind Of Movie	20	Coursework
Professional Film Writing	20	Coursework
Telly Visions	20	Coursework