Program Overview

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Introduction to Film Studies BA (Hons)

The Film Studies BA (Hons) course at the University of Sussex is a single-honours program that allows students to delve deeply into the world of cinema, exploring its cultural impact, historical development, and relevance in today's audiovisual media landscape. This course is designed for those passionate about film and eager to understand its role in shaping society, art, politics, and identity.

Key Information

• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Typical A-level offer: ABB
• UCAS code: P300
• Start date: September 2026
• The University of Sussex is ranked 8th in the UK for research outputs in Communications, Cultural and Media Studies in REF 2021 and 12th in the UK for research quality in Communication and Media Studies by the Complete University Guide 2026.

Entry Requirements

A-level

• Typical offer: ABB
• Contextual offer: BCC
• GCSEs: You must have GCSE (or equivalent) in English at grade 5 (or grade B). You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.
• Extended Project Qualification: We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer.

Other UK Qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above including 24 credits at Distinction. The Access to HE Diploma should be in the humanities or social sciences. You must have GCSE (or equivalent) in English at grade 5 (or grade B).
• Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects (including A-level mixes): M1 M2 M2. If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects we would expect you to have grade A at A-level and, M2 and M2 in two Pre-Us. If you have two A-levels and a Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject we would normally expect you to have grades AB at A-level and M2 in Pre-U. You will also need GCSE (or equivalent) English, with at least grade 5 (or grade B). You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level: Grade B in A-level and Distinction, Distinction in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma. Contextual offer: Grade C in A-level and Distinction, Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels: Grades BB in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. Contextual offer: Grades BC in A-levels and Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma): DDM. Contextual offer: DMM.
• Scottish Highers: AABBB.
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology with a grade of M- Merit. You must have GCSE (or equivalent) in English at grade 5 (or grade B). You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.
• Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced: ABB from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels. You must have GCSE (or equivalent) in English at grade 5 (or grade B). You should also have a broad range of GCSEs A*-C (9-4), including good grades in relevant subjects.

International Requirements

• Australia: Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and between 88% to 85% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 4 to 5 or better.
• Austria: Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of between 2.0 to 2.2 or better for first-year entry.
• Belgium: Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average of 65% or more. Good grades in subject areas.
• Bulgaria: Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 5.5 overall with 6 in key subjects).
• Canada: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 70%-75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses. British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AABBB-BBBBB from 5 grade 12 courses.
• China: If you have the Goakao, we will consider applications for direct entry to first year. You would normally need an overall average of 75%, including required subjects.
• Croatia: Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of between 4 and 4.2.
• Cyprus: Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of between 18/20 and 18.5/20 will be considered for first-year entry.
• Czech Republic: Maturita with a good overall average.
• Denmark: Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or Studentereksamen with an overall average of at least 7 on the new grading scale.
• Finland: Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result between MMMM - EMMM.
• France: French Baccalauréat with overall final result between 12/20 and 13/20.
• Germany: German Abitur with an overall result of 2.0 to 2.2 or better.
• Greece: Apolytirion with an overall average of between 18 and 18.5 will be considered for first-year entry.
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 5, 4, 4 to 4, 4, 4 from three subjects including two electives.
• Hungary: Erettsegi/Matura with a good average of at least 55544.
• India: Standard XII results for entry into 1st year (depending on board and course choice).
• Iran: Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years.
• Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) at H1,H2,H2,H3,H3 to H2,H2,H2,H3,H3. You must have at least grade O3 in English.
• Israel: For first year entry at least 80% (or 8/10) in at least 6 subjects, including one 5 unit subject, in one sitting of the Bagrut.
• Italy: Italian Diploma Di Maturità or Diploma Pass Di Esame Di Stato with a final Diploma mark of between 78/100 and 81/100.
• Japan: Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years.
• Kazakhstan: Applicants with Nazarbayev Intellectuals Schools (NIS) Grade 12 Certificate may be considered.
• Latvia: Atestats par Visparejo videjo Izglitibu with very good grades in state exams.
• Lithuania: Brandos Atestatas including scores of 80% in at least three state examinations (other than English).
• Luxembourg: Pass the Diplome de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires with between 43-46 points overall.
• Malaysia: At least Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades of BBB, Matriculation with a least a grade of 3.0 or UEC with an overall average grade B4 (70%) from 6 subjects.
• Netherlands: Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), normally with an average of at least 7.
• Nigeria: You are expected to have one of the following: Higher National Diploma, One year at a recognised Nigerian University, Professional Diploma (Part IV) from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria, Advanced Diploma.
• Norway: Norwegian Vitnemal Fra Den Videregaende Opplaering - Pass with an overall average of 4.
• Pakistan: You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies.
• Poland: Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects in the 75th percentile.
• Portugal: Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark between 16/20 and 17/20.
• Romania: Diploma de Bacalaureat with an overall average between 8.0 and 8.5.
• Russia: Applicants who have good grades in the Attestat o Srednem Obrazovami (Certificate of Secondary Education) and who have successfully completed the first year of a Russian University degree, with a minimum GPA of 4.0.
• Singapore: A-levels, as well as certain certificates and diplomas.
• Slovakia: Pass Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Maturita) with an average above 2.0 from 4 subjects.
• Slovenia: Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura with at least 23 points overall.
• South Africa: National Senior Certificate with very good grades.
• Spain: Spanish Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) with an overall average result between 7.5 and 8.0.
• Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan A-levels.
• Sweden: Fullstandigt Slutbetyg/Högskoleförberedande Examen with a total of 2,500 credits to include B grades in the majority of subjects.
• Switzerland: Federal Maturity Certificate.
• Turkey: We'll consider students who have taken the Lise Diplomasi or Lise Bitirme, with a score of at least 4/5 or 80/100 in their final year, on a case by case basis for direct entry to year 1.
• USA: We look at your full profile considering everything you are studying, including the High School Graduation Diploma, Grade 12 GPA, SAT tests and subject tests and/or ACT grades and AP tests.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic): 6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component.
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE): 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.
• Pearson (PTE Academic): 59 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills.
• TOEFL (iBT): 80 overall, including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing.
• AS/A-level (GCE): Grade C or above in English Language.
• GCE O-level: Grade C or above in English.
• GCSE or IGCSE: Grade C or above in English as a First Language (grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).
• Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate: If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language. If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.
• Indian School Certificate (Standard XII): The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%, Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% or Grade 3.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB): English A or English B at grade 5 or above.
• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education: Grades A – C in English.
• Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 119/GCE O-level: If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-5 in English Language. If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.
• West African Senior School Certificate: Grades 1-6 in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country Exceptions

The University of Sussex accepts students from a wide range of countries. If you are a national of one of the countries listed below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirements.

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom
• USA

Admissions Information for Applicants

• Transfers into Year 2: Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don't accept transfers into the third or final year.
• If your qualifications aren't listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us.

Course Content

This course is a single-honours program allowing for an in-depth exploration of film studies. The curriculum includes a range of core and optional modules designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of film form, history, and cultural contexts.

Year 1

• Core Modules:
  • Analysing Film: Forms and Contexts
  • European Cinema
  • Analysing Film: Authorship and Genre
  • Global Cinema
• Electives: Students can choose from a range of electives across different disciplines to broaden their knowledge and interests.

Year 2

• Core Modules:
  • Debates in Screen Documentary
  • Exploring Local Film Cultures
  • British Cinema
• Options:
  • Adaption: Filming Fiction
  • Box Set TV
  • Film Musicals
  • Chinese Cinema
  • Cinema and Climate
  • Documentary Video
  • Indian Cinema
  • Latin American Cinema
  • Screenwriting

Year 3

• Options:
  • Film Studies Dissertation
  • American Teen Cinema
  • Cinema and Migration
  • Pop Soundtrack Cinema
  • Race and Ethnicity in Popular Cinema
  • Cinema and Sexualities
  • Film and Revolution
  • Hollywood Industry and Imaginary
  • Viewing Women

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching Methods: Lectures, workshops, seminars, and practical sessions.
• Assessment Methods: Written essays, illustrated reports, live/recorded presentations.

Fees and Scholarships

• Home Students: £9,535 per year (2025/26 rates, subject to change).
• International Students: £23,500 per year (2025/26 rates, subject to change).
• Scholarships:
  • Chancellor's International Scholarships: £5,000 in the first year of full-time study.
  • Climate Leaders Scholarship: £3,000 cash per year of full-time study.
  • Sussex Pakistan Scholarship (Undergraduate): £4,000 discount on the first year of tuition fees.
  • Sussex Turkey Scholarship (Undergraduate): £4,000 discount on the first year of tuition fees.

Careers

The Film Studies BA (Hons) at the University of Sussex prepares students for a wide range of careers in the film and media industries, including cinema, television, marketing, events, and communications. Recent graduates have found employment in various roles such as communications coordinator, film programmer, and sales and acquisitions executive.

Our Staff

The Department of Media, Arts and Humanities at the University of Sussex boasts a team of experienced and research-active staff. Some of the key faculty members include:

• Prof Thomas Austin
• Dr Michael Lawrence
• Prof Alisa Lebow
• Dr Despoina Mantziari
• Dr Niall Richardson
• Dr Luke Robinson
• Dr Frances Smith
• Prof Dolores Tierney
• Dr Lawrence Webb

Each member of the faculty brings their unique expertise and interests to the curriculum, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive and engaging education in film studies.