MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
St Mary's University Twickenham, London, offers a highly regarded MSc Applied Sport...
BA (Hons) Film Studies
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BA (Hons) Film Studies at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, offers an engaging and in-depth exploration of the art, history, and theory of cinema within a vibrant academic setting. This undergraduate degree goes beyond simply watching films, encouraging students to critically analyse the moving image from various perspectives, including aesthetic styles, narrative structures, socio-cultural contexts, and industry practices. The program balances theoretical inquiry with practical engagement, allowing students to develop essential skills in film analysis, criticism, and understanding the dynamic film industry. Taught by industry-expert academics and international scholars in film, television, and popular culture, the course equips graduates with strong critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving abilities, preparing them for diverse career paths within the creative and media sectors. An optional placement year is also available for extended professional experience.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BA (Hons) Film Studies is designed to provide a comprehensive and evolving understanding of film. In the first year, core modules establish a strong foundation, covering "Film, Style and Form," "Digital Cultures," "Media History," and "The Media Industries," with optional modules like "Digital Production" or "British Film and TV" allowing for broader exploration. The second year delves deeper into analytical and theoretical frameworks with core modules such as "North American Cinema" and "Screen Theory and Criticism," alongside optional modules like "Entrepreneurship and Professionalism," "Writing Adaptations," "Cult Media and Identity," "Documentary and World Cinema," and "Screenwriting 1." The final year offers advanced specialisation, culminating in a "Dissertation (Practical Production or Written)" as a core module. Further optional modules in the final year include "Global Media," "Screenwriting 2," "The Paradox of Horror," "Disney and Animation," "The Beatles and the Counterculture," and "Science Fiction and Fantasy," enabling students to pursue specific areas of interest and refine their expertise.
Research Focus: The BA (Hons) Film Studies program at St. Mary's University is robustly informed by ongoing research and scholarship within film, media, and cultural studies. The academic staff are actively engaged as international experts in film, television, and popular culture, conducting research that spans diverse areas of film history, theory, genre studies (e.g., horror, sci-fi, fantasy), national cinemas, and the evolving media landscape. Students are encouraged to engage with critical debates and develop strong research methodologies throughout their studies. The final year culminates in a significant dissertation, which can be a written academic study or a practical production, providing students with the opportunity to undertake independent, in-depth research and contribute original analytical insights or creative work to the field. This ensures students are exposed to cutting-edge ideas and develop the skills to become future scholars or informed practitioners.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a significant strength of the BA (Hons) Film Studies program at St. Mary's University, designed to bridge academic learning with professional practice in the creative industries. The university's strategic location in West London provides unparalleled access to renowned film studios like Twickenham, Shepperton, and Ealing Studios, as well as the broader London film industry. Students benefit from being taught by academics who are also experienced film and television producers and screenwriters, bringing current industry insights directly into the classroom. The program offers exciting study trips and opportunities for work experience, including an optional paid work placement year, which allows students to gain contacts and experience in media industries, scriptwriting, film criticism, or digital media production. Modules such as "Entrepreneurship and Professionalism" and "The Media Industries" further equip students with an understanding of professional practices and how creative organisations operate, fostering their career readiness.
Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) Film Studies program at St. Mary's University cultivates a strong global perspective by exploring cinema from diverse international contexts and acknowledging film's role as a global cultural phenomenon. The curriculum includes modules such as "North American Cinema" and "Documentary and World Cinema," encouraging students to engage with films and filmmaking traditions from across the globe. Students analyse how film shapes and reflects global societies, identities, and political landscapes, providing a nuanced understanding of cultural exchange and representation in the moving image. The program also delves into contemporary and historical global media trends. This international outlook, combined with St. Mary's proximity to a major global city like London, prepares graduates to contribute to the international film and media industries or to engage critically with global cinematic discourse.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 17100
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 55.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
The BA (Hons) Film Studies at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, equips graduates with a comprehensive understanding of film history, theory, criticism, and the dynamics of the creative industries. This program cultivates advanced analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills, enabling graduates to dissect cinematic narratives, understand production processes, and engage meaningfully with film as a cultural phenomenon. The curriculum's balance of theoretical inquiry and practical engagement, coupled with the university's strategic location near major film studios, prepares students for diverse career paths within the dynamic and competitive film, media, and cultural sectors.
Film Critic / Journalist: Graduates can leverage their strong analytical and writing skills to review films, write articles, and contribute to film publications, websites, or broadcast media. They provide critical perspectives on new releases, film festivals, and cinematic trends.
Film Festival Programmer / Coordinator: With an in-depth knowledge of diverse cinema and an understanding of film distribution, graduates can work for film festivals, curating selections, coordinating logistics, managing screenings, and engaging with filmmakers and audiences.
Media Researcher / Analyst: Film studies graduates are adept at critical inquiry and data analysis. They can work for media companies, research firms, or academic institutions, conducting research on audience trends, media consumption, industry developments, and film market analysis.
Archivist / Film Preservationist: Graduates with a passion for film history and preservation can work in film archives, museums, or national libraries, cataloguing, restoring, and preserving cinematic heritage for future generations, ensuring access to historical and cultural records.
Marketing / Publicity for Film Distribution: Understanding the nuances of film narrative and audience appeal, graduates can work for film distributors or studios, developing marketing campaigns, writing press releases, managing social media, and promoting films to audiences and critics.
Content Creator / Digital Media Specialist: Their knowledge of visual storytelling, editing, and digital platforms makes graduates suitable for roles in creating digital content for online platforms, including video production for marketing, educational, or entertainment purposes.
Arts Administrator / Cultural Sector Professional: Graduates can apply their organisational and communication skills within broader arts and cultural organisations, such as cinemas, arts centres, or cultural trusts, assisting with programme management, event coordination, and audience engagement.
Film Production Assistant / Runner: For those interested in the hands-on side of filmmaking, a Film Studies degree provides a strong foundational understanding. Graduates can enter the industry as production assistants or runners, gaining valuable on-set experience and networking opportunities.
Screenwriter / Script Editor: While not a direct production degree, the strong emphasis on narrative, genre, and film theory can be a springboard for aspiring screenwriters or script editors, enabling them to develop and refine screenplays for film or television.
Education / Academic Support: Graduates passionate about sharing their knowledge can pursue careers in education, either by undertaking further qualifications to teach film studies at secondary or college level, or by working in university administration or academic support roles related to film and media departments.
