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Study Film Making, why & how to study

Want to make your own visual sensations? A Film Making degree could help you achieve your dreams of making it in the industry.

Behind the scene film crew filming movie scene outdoor

CONTENTS

  1. What’s Film Making?

  2. What Film Making degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto a Film Making degree?

  4. What topics does it cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study Film Making?

  7. Scholarships and bursaries 
  8. What do graduates earn?

  9. What jobs can you get with a degree in Film Making?

  10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  11. Related subjects

  12. Have any questions?

What’s Film Making?

A Film Making degree provides you with the knowledge, skills and experience to launch a career in the film and media industry.

A typical course will involve developing your editing, scriptwriting and production skills. You’ll also learn the history, theory and technical know-how of the field.

Degrees usually have a strong focus on practical work. Through projects, work placements and internships, you gain hands-on experience. You also have the chance to apply methods as you learn them, alongside building your professional network.

Compare universities by looking at the university league tables for:

What Film Making degrees can you study?

If you choose a degree with an emphasis on the technical side of the process, the degree may be a BSc (Bachelor of Science). Courses that focus on the creative aspect are more likely to award a BA (Bachelor of Art). 

Undergraduate degrees in Film Making include:

Film Making BA

You’ll learn all the practicalities of filmmaking, from directing to post-production. Areas you’ll cover include scriptwriting, composition, narrative structure, marketing and distribution.

Find Film Making courses.

Film Studies BA

Study film as a form of art and the impact it makes on society in the present day and throughout history. It is less practical than a purely filmmaking course. 

Search for Film Studies courses.

Visual Arts and Film BA

This course lets you combine your interests in film with other visual arts. For instance, drawing, painting or photography. You’ll develop your ability to analyse works, as well as the technical skills to create your own.

Find Visual Arts and Film courses

Film and Television Production BA/BSc

You can learn all about cinematography, editing, sound design and other techniques specific to film and TV. The BSc course is usually more technical in focus than the BA.

Search for Film and Television Production courses.

Other options

Universities and colleges offer many different options in this subject area. This includes:

  • Joint honours degrees, in combination with another subject of interest. For example, a modern language or social science
  • An integrated foundation year or top-up degree
  • Work experience placements
  • International trips and study abroad opportunities 

What do you need to get onto a Film Making degree?

Must have

Entry requirements will depend on the university, ranging from 64–160 UCAS tariff points. Qualifications may include: 

  • A Levels: AAB–CC 
  • BTECs: DDD–MMP 
  • Scottish Highers: AAABB–BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAB) 
  • International Baccalaureate: 36–28 
  • Portfolio work (sound or film) may be needed, depending on the course 
  • Interviews may be held by some unis 

Good to have

  • Study art, drama, media studies or literature at A Level (or equivalent) 
  • Experience in the field is a bonus for your application, though it’s usually not necessary. Try production companies or broadcasters like Channel 4 
  • Develop your own practice through show reels, storyboards or involvement in school productions 
  • Take part in courses such as those run by the British Film Institute (BFI) 
  • Find out more about careers and work in the sector from the websites of professional bodies, ScreenSkills or the Royal Television Society 

What topics does it cover?

Depending on whether the course is more practical or academic, modules may include: 

  • Drama for the camera 
  • Film aesthetics 
  • Film and television criticism 
  • Film and television histories 
  • Film and TV production 
  • Film theory 
  • Media theory and research 
  • Performance techniques for stage and screen 
  • Screen technologies 
  • Scripting performance for screen 
  • The business of film 

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following, depending on the focus of the degree: 

  • Coursework 
  • Essays 
  • Exams 
  • Practical or project work 
  • Presentations/posters 
  • A final-year dissertation or extended project

Why study Film Making?

Career-specific skills

  • Knowledge of, and experience in, the film industry. This may include film theory, or creative and practical skills, depending on your degree 

Transferable skills

  • Communication 
  • Critical thinking and analysis 
  • Leadership and decision making 
  • Networking skills 
  • Project management 
  • Research 
  • Resourceful problem solving 
  • Team working 
  • Time management 
  • Working to a brief and deadline 

Professional accreditation: 

Degrees may be accredited by:

  • ScreenSkills Select 
  • CILECT (International Association of Cinema, Audiovisual and Media Schools)
  • IMIS (International Moving Image Society) 

Read more in our six reasons to study Film Making.

Are scholarships and bursaries available?

Some universities offer Film Making degree students an arts scholarship, bursary, or grant. So it’s worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply, and what it covers like materials, tuition fees, or living costs.  

What do graduates earn?

Work in this sector is often freelance and project-based. BECTU, the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union, posts rate cards recommending pay for various roles. A daily rate might be £550 for camera work on a TV advert, or £824 for a Steadicam operator. For a low-budget film, the minimum weekly rate for a camera operator is £2,473. For an editor, it’s £2,000. 

The BBC and Channel 4 offer trainee schemes for graduates, offering an entry-level salary of £21,000–£22,500. 

Full-time, fixed-term positions are available at national broadcasters such as the BBC. A broadcast editor could be paid £25,000–£49,000 depending on their experience and managerial or support duties. 

Read more about what graduates do and earn.

What jobs can you get with a Film Making degree?

Unsurprisingly, the majority of job opportunities for graduates are at national television broadcasters, advertising agencies and film production companies. As the industry is so competitive, networking, volunteering, and internships are just a few ways to increase your chances. 

  • Camera operator 
  • Communications manager 
  • Film editor 
  • Lecturer 
  • Lighting technician 
  • Location manager 
  • PR officer 
  • Producer 
  • Production designer 
  • Programme researcher 
  • VFX artist 
  • Vision mixer 
  • Runner 

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include: 

Related subjects

If you’re interested in communicating ideas creatively, or in other areas related to film, you could consider:

Search undergraduate Film Making courses now!

Have any questions?

Do you have questions about studying Film Making? You can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!

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