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London College of Communication

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BA (Hons) Film Practice

College
LCC
Start date
September 2018
Course length
3 years
UCAS code
W603
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Course summary

Applications closed 2018/19
Applications for 2018/19 entry to this course have now closed. Visit the Clearing page for a full list of UAL courses that are open for application.

Designed to develop the creative, technical, commercial and practical skills required in digital film production, BA (Hons) Film Practice is geared towards industry.

About this course

Workshops are led by professionals in areas such as sound, lighting, directing, assistant directing, producing, editing, screenwriting, acting, the camera and production design. You will develop and expand your skills and potential to operate creatively and within a variety of technical roles.

You'll be thrown into a hands-on learning experience exploring the entire film production process from development to post production. This rigorous and focused programme reflects the strategies, disciplines, and realities of professional digital film production, and takes place within a nurturing and encouraging environment.

Open Days

Student work

  • Students gathered around looking a camera screen within LCC television studio.
    Behind the scenes filming. Image © George Al-Khouri
  • Students operating a camera in LCC's television studios.
    Behind the scenes filming. Image © George Al-Khouri
  • Students operating a camera in LCC's television studios.
    Behind the scenes filming. Image © George Al-Khouri
  • Still from Doll Factory, showing a young girls stretching for ballet. At the centre in the foreground are a child's legs.
    Still from 'Doll Factory' by Raphael, Shaneika, Nicholas, Alexandre and Parand.
  • Still from The Drone - a man in a suit sits at a white desk, behind him is a countryside scene. The lighting is low and blue.
    Still from 'The Drones' by Gabriel, Tommy, Omar, Raitis, Michaela and Andre
  • Still from A Rare Mutation - two women are sitting on a park bench having a conversation, in winter clothing.
    Still from 'A Rare Mutation' by Stine, Phoebe, Sergey, Nelson and Jorge
  • A student operating lights in the television studios at London College of Communication
    Image © Jonas Juskaitis
  • Students using sound, lighting and camera equipment to film a scene within London College of Communication's television studios
    Image © Jonas Juskaitis
  • Students using a combination of equipment within London College of Communication's television studios.
    Image © Jonas Juskaitis

Saber Divider by Luiza Herdy Costa

First year student Luiza Herdy Costa made the film 'Saber Divider' for Shell through MOFILM

Throw me to the Dogs, Joseph Ollman and Aaron Dunleavey

LCC graduates Joseph Ollman and Aaron Dunleavey are nominated for BFI Futures Best Director Award

Latest news

See all stories

Facilities

Red light indicating recording is taking place.

Lens-based and Audio-Visual

Find out about the range of resources, workspaces, and studios that support Lens-Based and Audio-Visual practices.

The Digital Space, London College of Communication.

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.

Film and Television

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

View all facilities at LCC

Course details

BA (Hons) Film Practice has been developed for students with a passion for independent cinema – both documentary and fiction, who want a hands-on, industry-oriented programme, with a practical emphasis in digital production.

What can you expect?

The backdrop to this course is the College's state-of-the-art media facilities that boast a multi-camera studio and Final Cut Pro editing suites. Students also benefit from LCC's excellent location which has easy access to the British Film Institute, Tate Modern and The Cinema Museum. The College is also home to the Stanley Kubrick Archive from where films are screened for seminars and guest lectures.

You'll be thrown into a hands-on learning experience in which you'll explore the entire film production process from development to post production. This rigorous and focused curriculum reflects the strategies, disciplines and realities of contemporary professional digital film production and takes place in a nurturing and encouraging environment.

You'll also benefit from seminars with agents, development executives and exhibitors, who have been generous in offering to students invaluable opportunities to build professional networks and to receive career advice. In addition, you’ll develop key transferable skills such as entrepreneurship, project management and teamwork to support you in forging a successful career path.

Over the 3 years of your study, there will be collaborations with other students on 6 films; during which you'll experience all the roles that are critical to the production process.

In order to complete these projects you'll make full use of a large amount of professional digital recording equipment and post-production facilities. In particular, you'll be pushed to produce work that has a life beyond its academic assessment. And, you’ll be guided in making submissions to international film festivals and competitions in order to secure work experience at UK film festivals and to start building your professional CV.

Course units

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 Practice qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.

Year 1

Units summary:

  • Introduction to Film Practice (20 credits)
  • Contextual Studies 1: Modernism (20 credits)
  • Sound Design (20 credits)
  • Contextual Studies 2: the Global Village (20 credits)
  • Digital Production (40 credits)

Year 2

Units summary:

  • Development (20 credits)
  • Collaborative Project (20 credits)
  • Work-Based Learning (20 credits)
  • Contextual Studies 3: Creative Intent and Genre (40 credits)
  • Story (20 credits)

Year 3

Units summary:

  • Major Project (80 credits)
  • Dissertation (40 credits)

Teaching and learning methods

  • Lectures/large group learning: the main areas of theory and its practical applications will be covered in a planned series of tutor-led sessions.
  • Workshop & seminar learning: practical sessions that will enable the student toexperiment with a skill or technique relevant to the area of study. Students will be able to share their understanding with others and obtain guidance from
    lecturers to identify solutions to practical or theoretical problems.
  • Academic tutorials: individual assistance is provided by lecturers to assist students with difficulties in their understanding and practical application of theory and skills. This is important for clarifying the requirements for assessed
    work.
  • Self-directed learning: independent study undertaken by the student to research, write and prepare assignments both practical and theoretical, and to extend their knowledge and understanding. This can be undertaken at home or
    using college facilities.
  • Outside speakers and visits: these provide students with a perspective of contemporary issues and recent events.
  • Assessed assignments: these assess the student’s attainment of the learning outcomes and develop the key skills that will form an important aspect of their learning. The completion of assignment briefs are therefore regarded as a
    method.

Assessment methods

BA (Hons) Film Practice places a high emphasis on collaborative skills and

practical assessment is designed to promote teamwork. We therefore employ a range of assessment activities and criteria to ensure that you have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the broad range of skills and knowledge necessary to progress in the workplace.

To that end, staff will consider creative endeavour, technical achievement and collaborative qualities / professionalism (production skills) when marking your practical work. We employ both weighted and holistic approaches to assessment where appropriate (see below). Your theoretical work is assessed individually throughout, but practical work will be balanced between group output and your individual contribution.

First year

In the first year all practice is assessed in a formative 'crit' environment, whereby production teams present their films to staff and peers in the intimate screening facility in MLG06. The work generates debate and students receive immediate verbal feedback from staff and peers. Self-assessment and peer assessment forms further inform staff of individual strengths and weaknesses, but all work receives a group mark. The only exception to this is when an individual has significantly failed to contribute. Exceptional contributions will be recognised by both staff and students, but these achievements will be reflected in the overall mark awarded to the whole team.

Second year

In the second year your practical work will be marked through a combination of both group work and individual contribution, in recognition of your developing understanding of those individual technical, creative and production skills that lie at the heart of the collaborative process and those specific specialisms that you have undertaken.

Third year

In the third and final year, all work is necessarily marked individually, but general professionalism and those collaborative production skills that you have been developing, will still be measured (production skills).

Course structure

The information outlined is an indicative structure of the course. Whilst we will aim to deliver the course as described on this page, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, for example, because of regulatory requirements or operational efficiencies, before or after enrolment. If this occurs, we will communicate all major changes to all applicants and students who have either applied or enrolled on the course.

Please note that due to staff research agreements or availability, not all of the optional modules listed may be available every year.

In addition, the provision of course options which depend upon the availability of specialist teaching, or on a placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed. Please check this element of the course with the course team before making a decision to apply.

Webpage updates

We will update this webpage from time to time with new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, use this register your interest form.

Staff

Klaus Fried

Klaus Fried

Joint Course Leader, BA (Hons) Film Practice

Polly Nash

Polly Nash

Joint Course Leader, BA (Hons) Film Practice

Tim Harrison

Tim Harrison

Associate Lecturer

Peter Matthews

Peter Matthews

Lecturer, BA (Hons) Film Practice

How to apply


This section includes information on how to apply, course entry requirements, selection criteria, information about interviews and portfolio advice.

Applications for 2018/19 entry for this course are now closed. Applications for 2019/20 entry will open in Autumn 2018. 

You must apply through Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where you’ll need the following information:

  • University code: U65
  • Course code: W603
  • There is no campus code for LCC

Go to 'Apply' from the UCAS home page, where you will be able to register and create a password that gives you unique access as you complete your application form. London College of Communication (LCC) courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

We have recently made changes to our application process for Home/EU applicants. To find out more, view the Undergraduate Application Process page.

Erasmus

For further information on Erasmus and UAL exchange schemes, please visit the Erasmus and Non-Erasmus Exchanges section on the UAL website.

Deferrals

Deferring an Offer

If you are offered a place for 2018/19 but wish to defer to 2019/20, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter.

International applicants will have to pay a deposit in order to defer.

In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.

Making a Deferred Application (during 2018/19 for entry in 2019/20)

Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.

Applications for 2018/19 entry for this course are now closed. Applications for 2019/20 entry will open in Autumn 2018. 

International applicants can apply through either of the following routes:

Further information on applying via UCAS is provided on the University Applying through UCAS page.

For full details on the application process, visit the Undergraduate application page.

Study Abroad applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) Film Practice for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.

Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.

Deferrals

Deferring an Offer

If you are offered a place for 2018/19 but wish to defer to 2019/20, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter.

International applicants will have to pay a deposit in order to defer.

In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.

Making a deferred application (during 2018/19 for entry in 2019/20)

Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. Immigration rules prevent International applicants from making a deferred application.


Entry requirements

Home/EU/International

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 minimum entry requirements for this course are:

80 UCAS tariff points gained at GCE Advanced (A) Level or equivalent. (A-level subjects studied may include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences). Ideally your A-levels will be achieved at grade C or above.

Or

One subject at A-level achieved at grade C or above PLUS Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3/4).

Alternatively, you will be considered if you have achieved a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points from one of the following qualifications:

  • BTEC Extended Diploma
  • UAL Extended Diploma in Art and Design
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma
  • Equivalent EU or Non-EU qualifications

Additionally, you will have achieved passes at grade C or above in at least three GCSE subjects including English.

If you are applying on the basis of your previous experience, you should apply as normal via UCAS. You will then be guided by the admissions team on next steps of the AP(e)L process, through either Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL).

If you have successfully completed year 1 of a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at LCC, you can identify the point of entry as year 2 on your application, and consideration will be given by the course admissions tutor.

Language Requirements (International/EU)

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills.
  • You can check you have achieved the correct IELTS level on our language requirements page.

Student selection - what do we look for?

As part of your application, you will be asked to submit a portfolio/body of work. We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview.

The course admissions tutors will review the following key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

  • Most importantly they will review your personal statement and the quality of the uploaded portfolio/body of work
  • They will consider your qualifications (or projected results)
  • They will review your academic or personal references
  • International applicants may be invited to interview in person at LCC, or via Skype if overseas or unable to attend.

Personal statement advice

This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in film practice, and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.

You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.

State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.

Portfolio advice

Your portfolio/body of work is the most important part of your application, and you must clearly evidence development work as well as work from completed projects.

Please provide us with no more than 10 examples of your current work. Within this work sample, please include no more than five minutes of durational work (film, moving image or sound) along with a contextual statement that explains your contribution to the finished product. It is important that the admissions team are clear about your role(s) within the production of the durational work.

Important Note: You are strongly advised not to delay the upload by trying to create new work; your main aim should be to demonstrate the creativity within your current portfolio.

Selection Criteria

The portfolio/body of work, along with the details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be used by the course admissions tutors to assess your suitability against the following criteria:

  • Evidence of an informed interest in and appreciation of the subject area
  • An understanding of the need for a critical and analytical approach (through research and practice) to this area of study
  • Evidence of research and development of ideas through practice to achieve specific outcomes
  • Quality of ideas and thought processes in the approach to and production of your finished work

Referral to alternative UAL courses

The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.

What happens next

We invite all offer holders to come to LCC, from January onwards, to attend one of our Offer Holder events. Offer holders will have the chance to meet the team, find out more about the course, and see our diverse and vibrant student community in action.

Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.

Fees & Funding

Home / EU fee

£9,250 (2018/19).

Tuition fees for undergraduate degree courses have been set at £9,250 per year for full-time study. This applies from the 2018/19 academic year, subject to changes in the law. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Please visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.

International fee

£19,350 (2018/19).

Additional costs

In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.

Scholarships and awards

There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.

Scholarship search

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Careers and alumni

Career paths

Students graduating from the Film Practice course will be prepared to enter a variety of roles within the film and wider related media industries including within the following areas:

  • Production
  • Camera and lighting
  • Sound
  • Post-production (editing)
  • Art Department
  • Distribution and exhibition
  • Screenwriting / development
  • Graduates may also progress onto postgraduate courses, such as MA Film, MA Screenwriting and MA Documentary Film at LCC.

Industry links

BA (Hons) Film Practice is well-connected to industry and students on the course often gain high-profile work-based placements. Previous students have gained placements with organisations including:

  • De Lane Lea (Warner Bros)
  • Art House Hire
  • Film Fix – Southwark Film Office
  • Technicolor
  • Imaginarium Studios
  • Spectacle Productions
  • Newman Hire
  • Vice TV
  • Lionsgate
  • Caviar Content
  • Food Network
  • Shanghai Media Group

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Contact

  • Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 6500

Contact

  • Elephant & Castle
  • London
  • SE1 6SB

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