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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies

A silhouetted figure stands in front of a red and yellow screen.
Exhibition shot at LCC Screen School's Beyond 2001: New Horizons, photo credit Ana Escobar, London College of Communication, UAL.
College
London College of Communication
UCAS code
P303
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies teaches the historical, theoretical, cultural and critical analysis of film and screen to the next generation of filmmakers and influencers in the commissioning, distribution, curation and exhibition of film and screen.

Re-approval

Please note this course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high-quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • You'll be taught the knowledge and skills for the current, emerging and evolving screen industries.
  • The skills and practices taught include critical review, video essays, podcasting, distribution, curation and exhibition of film and screen. Please note: this course does not teach film-production nor the filmmaking roles through practical filmmaking exercises.
  • You will explore an extensive programme of films and a broad investigative analysis, underpinning the intellectual core of your studies.
  • The graduation project is a student-led film/screen festival. This offers you the opportunity to curate an outward, public-facing event.
  • The course promotes an inclusive approach to the distinct diverse voices from the UK and the international filmmaking community.
  • The course is modelled to generate graduates who are ethically aware, creative risk-takers, for film/screen distribution.
  • Investigation and critical analysis is informed by contextual studies, practice and the technologies of a breadth of screen disciplines.
  • Opportunities for furthering archival research around the Stanley Kubrick Archive and other film-based archives onsite at London College of Communication.
  • You'll develop a critical and analytical approach to the moving image and problem solving and will learn the transferable skills of project management, marketing and public relations.
  • The course is based in the heart of London – the centre of the UK’s film and TV industries. London College of Communication is located within easy reach of the IMAX, the BFI Southbank and the British Film Institute Library, as well as a large concentration of cinemas and venues in central London.

Open Days

The next Open Day for this course will be announced soon.

Explore life at LCC with our interactive Virtual Open Day.

Course overview

On BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies you'll explore the rich global history of the moving image from the 20th Century, alongside contemporary immersive and interactive platforms.

You’ll develop your critical thinking through an extensive programme of film screenings, delivered alongside contextual analysis. You'll explore film and screen narrative from the cinematic, historic, national, geographic, genre, ethnic and diversity perspective.

For your final graduation project, you will collaborate and curate a film or screen festival.

The course aims to generate graduates who are insightful, analytical, commercially minded and ethically aware.

What to expect

  • The course is taught through an extensive programme of screenings, lectures, and seminars.
  • You'll learn about moving image and screen practices through a combination of contextual theory units and practical workshops. This is not a film production course, but a course that uses practice to further your understanding of screen theories, histories and industries.
  • The course celebrates distinct identities and diverse voices. You’ll explore a range of debates within the screen industry which range from Black-British, Asian-British and decolonial perspectives to debates around gender, LGBTQA+ and disability.
  • You'll explore how innovative techniques and tools inform storytelling and interactivity on the screen.
  • You'll look at audience engagement and learn practical and critical skills for programming, curating, archiving or mounting an exhibition of the moving image for an audience.
  • You'll have a chance to collaborate with other programmes within LCC's Screen School.

Industry experience and opportunities

You will leave the course with:

  • An advanced understanding of how the British and International film and TV businesses work.
  • A developed understanding of how your personal identity connects to film narrative and how to promote that vision.
  • The experience of curating an outward-facing festival in a capital city.
  • A thorough understanding of film grammar and an overview of current and emerging film technologies.
  • A network of industry contacts.
  • A set of collaborative and transferable skills that can compete effectively in any employment market.

The Screen School belongs to the BAFTA albert Education Partnership. Albert offers students the opportunity to learn about environmentally responsible working practices, their professional relevance and their contribution to the transformation of the film and television industry. During the time on the courses, students will be encouraged to engage with and achieve the Albert graduate employability certificate.

Mode of Study

BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies runs for 93 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.

Course units

In response to the Climate Emergency, UAL has embedded responsible practices within the curriculum. We shaped our courses around principles of social and racial justice, and environmental sustainability that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values for ethical practice and empower you to work towards an equitable future.

In common with all courses at the University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.

Year 1

Introduction to Film and Screen Studies (20 credits)

This unit introduces key aspects of the course: methodologies and tools for successful research and written work, skills in visual and verbal pitching for academic papers, critical review and curatorial purposes.

Moving Image as an Art Form (40 credits)

This unit provides a grounding in the significance of the moving image as an art form through the 20th Century. Through screenings and lectures, students build an appreciation of film and screen, together with contextual knowledge of key texts.

Students interrogate, debate and reflect on the historic, national, geographic or genre perspectives including World Cinema, European Arthouse, Soviet, Chinese, Indian Hollywood and Experimental film and television. 

Innovation and Storytelling (40 credits)

This unit examines the historical and contemporary contexts of how innovation has influenced storytelling and interactivity on the screen.

The unit tracks the development of innovative screen practices - from silent early cinema and the introduction of synchronised sound to modern storytelling in contemporary areas including experimental film, visual art, online screen media, music videos, computer games and virtual reality. 

Creative Technologies for Storytelling (20 credits)

The unit introduces the tools and techniques for working with moving images and sound. The unit includes practical, studio-based activity to learn about the elements that go into the production of a moving image project.

Year 2

Distinctive Identities (40 credits)

In this unit students explore the history, critical theories, and the contemporary context and key debates in screen culture for LGBTQA, gender, feminist, race, ethnicity, disability and age issues. This includes studying British-Black and Asian-British screen media in a diasporic, decolonial and international context. 

Curating for the Screen (20 credits)

This unit introduces and examines the practical and critical skills for programming, curating, archiving or a screening event. Study trips and internship options to film festivals and cultural organisations will enable students to demonstrate an awareness of industry and external practices.

Interrogating the Truth (40 credits)

This unit examines the documentary form through a historical framework, key debates and narrative structures. The context is a synthesis of traditional and contemporary documentary filmmaking, animation, virtual reality and fact-based computer games.

We will also look at innovations in digital technologies used in screen-based industries and contemporary art practice. 

Collaborative Project (20 credits)

This unit offers students an opportunity to develop acquired skills in curation and criticism, working on projects with other courses in the Screen School, or with external organisations.

Projects could include collaborating on a student film production, curating a project online, or applying to film festivals, so as to develop a deeper and/or wider understanding of aesthetic and creative roles in contemporary screen culture. 

Year 3

Dissertation (40 credits)

This unit is the culmination of the earlier contextual film and screen studies components of the course. During the unit, ‘The Emerging Future’ students will investigate and formulate a research question and will synthesise their knowledge, critical thinking and analytical skills related to the moving image in an extended piece of work.

The Emerging Future (20 credits)

The unit aims to consider the new films and moving image artefacts emerging through the festivals and exhibitions, cultural and critical debates, and digital screening platforms. Students will integrate investigative and contextual analysis and consider the future of the moving image and the screen. 

Major Project (60 credits)

In this unit students will curate and deliver a series of events with a published material. The curated theme could, for example, be a socially engaged project with an external cultural organisation.

This unit enables students to consolidate their knowledge about a subject of their choosing and to consider it in relation to issues of history, context and criticality, audience, community and decolonisation.

The planning work is to curate the programme, invite speakers, and publish accompanying material as well as marketing and publicity material for the programme.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) (Optional)

An optional, year-long learning opportunity which enables you to develop your professional skills by undertaking time out for industry experience. Supported throughout the year by academics, you’ll build on the knowledge gained on your course in a range of national or international locations, and graduate with an additional qualification of Diploma in Professional Studies.

Diploma in Creative Computing (Optional)

Between Years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

  • Curated programme of screenings and artefacts with analytical and contextual lectures
  • Student-led seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Practical and technical workshops
  • Planned event delivery
  • Self-directed research
  • Study events

Online Open Day

(Recorded November 2022)

Course Leader, Kamila Kuc, gives an overview of what it's like to study BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies at London College of Communication.

FASE | screenings and event programme

As part of their studies, BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies students host screening events throughout their degree, culminating in a series of interlinked screen events in their final year. In this film, students and tutors speak about being part of FASE.

Student voices

Kareyni Davis

Kareyni speaks about her graduate event as part of FASE titled 'Bridge of the World, Heart of the Universe'.

Arbaab Anwar

Arbaab talks through the process of curating a series of film screenings for BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies.

Course stories

Facilities

  • Red light indicating recording is taking place.
    Image © Vladimir Molico

    Lens-Based and Audio-Visual

    Find out about the workspaces and studios that support Lens-Based and Audio-Visual practice.

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    The Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

  • A close-up of a monitor in the TV studio.
    Image © Vladimir Molico

    Film and Television

    Find out about the resources on offer to Film and Television students.

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

112 UCAS tariff points, which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:

  • A Levels at grade B, B, C or above (preferred subjects include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences).
  • Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4).
  • Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects: Art and Design, Media, Music and Performing Arts).
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subject: Digital and Creative Media, Film and Production, Humanities and Social Sciences).
  • OR equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 25 points minimum 

And 5 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

If you do not meet these entry requirements but your application demonstrates additional strengths and alternative relevant experience, you may still be considered. This could include:

  • Related academic or work experience;
  • The quality of the personal statement;
  • A strong academic or other professional reference;
  • A combination of these factors.

Each application will be considered on its own merit. We cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

  • IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

All classes are taught in English. If English isn’t your first language, you will need to show evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. For further guidance, please check our English language requirements.

Selection criteria

The details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Evidence of an informed interest in and appreciation of film and screen studies.
  • An understanding of the need for a critical and analytical approach (through research and practice) to this area of study.
  • Commitment to the study and development for your potential career.

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

P303

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

P303

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

Careers

Career opportunities

  • Curating for film festivals, screen events or gallery installations.
  • A range of employability skills either side of the traditional craft or production roles, with specific strengths in written or presentational work for commissioning editors, journalistic critical review, and marketing.
  • Film, screen and moving image production.
  • Working on archival or restoration projects.
  • Postgraduate study.

Work settings could include:

  • Film or screen festival
  • Cultural organisation
  • Film magazine or newspaper
  • Media production firm
  • Film archive or museum
  • Library or media gallery
  • Television or radio station
  • Motion picture company