Program Overview

Overview

The Film and Screenwriting with a Foundation Year course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to start their career in the creative film industry. The course combines theory, practice, and industry approaches to film and screenwriting, alongside training in both documentary film techniques and film festival programming.

Entry Requirements

Essential Requirements

• 80 UCAS Tariff points
• GCSE and other level 2 requirements: This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications.
• A Level, BTEC, and other level 3 requirements:
  • A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (or equivalent)
  • AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
  • A maximum of four subjects will be considered
  • Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • T Level: Pass overall (C or above on the core) All subjects considered
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Arts, Media and Publishing subjects preferred but other subjects also considered
  • OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points, Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
  • Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
  • Welsh Baccalaureate: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Pass overall
  • Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Pass overall

International Qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall
• EU / International students: Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band.

Fees & How to Apply

UK Students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 years
• Fees: TBC
• Apply via UCAS

International Students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 years
• Fees: TBC
• Register interest

Course in Depth

Foundation Year

• Media Audiences (20 credits)
• Professional and Academic Skills (20 credits)
• Media Production Practice (20 credits)
• Collaborative Media Production (20 credits)
• Media Concepts and Investigation (20 credits)
• Media Project (20 credits)

Year One

• Screenwriting for Film Genres (40 credits)
• Film and the Principles of Storytelling (20 credits)
• Language of Film (20 credits)
• Screenwriting Primer (20 credits)
• Film Primer (20 credits)

Year Two

• Writing for TV (40 credits)
• Script Development (20 credits)
• Collaborative Practice (20 credits)
• Adaptation for the Screen (20 credits)
• Cinema of the Seventies (20 credits)
• Screen Fandoms (20 credits)

Year Three

• Horror Narratives (20 credits)
• Major Project (60 credits)
• Global Cinema Narratives (20 credits)
• Film Finance and Entrepreneurship (20 credits)
• Professional Practice (40 credits)

Employability

The BA (Hons) Film and Screenwriting course is located within the College of English and Media, which has an excellent track record for graduate employment. Within the College, the majority of graduates going into media-related roles. The course builds upon the College's employability-driven reputation, by opening avenues for students interested in potential careers in screenwriting, film journalism, communications, marketing & PR, advertising, and teaching film/media studies.

Facilities & Staff

The course is taught at the city centre campus, home to an impressive range of media resources, studios, and edit suites. The University has invested over £400 million across its buildings and facilities, providing students with a high-quality learning environment.

The course is taught by a team of experienced academics and industry professionals, including Dr. Ellie Tomsett, Robin Kay, Dave Harte, Dr. Sarah Wood, Dr. Ross Hawkes, and Hilary Weston Jones.