Program Overview

---

Cinematic Arts - BSc (Hons)

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Cinematic Arts programme is tailored for students passionate about high-quality storytelling on screen. In the age of streaming media, there has never been a more exciting time to be involved with film and cinema. You will gain a whole host of essential skills required for filmmaking and image production across a range of platforms from mobiles and tablets through to modern 4k digital cinema screens.

Forging artistic storytelling and character development with the very latest in professional film production standards, you will develop a comprehensive set of skills in filmmaking. These include image production, screenwriting for film and TV, cinematography, editing, acting and directing, as well as music and sound design. A broad variety of modules gives you the opportunity to find what you enjoy, then specialise in it. Learning on our Derry~Londonderry campus allows interaction with drama, music and creative audio students, ensuring a rich, collaborative environment that mirrors real-world creative industries and enhances multidisciplinary storytelling skills.

Highly practical in nature, this programme prepares you for industry. Working on your portfolio throughout your studies, you will have the opportunity to showcase and celebrate your achievements, with a screening at the end of year show. Upon graduating, you’ll possess the knowledge, skills and innovative drive to compete in one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy - the creative industries.

Award

Bachelor of Science with Honours

Faculty

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

School

School of Arts and Humanities

Campus

Derry~Londonderry campus

UCAS code

W600

Start date

September 2026

With this degree you could become:

• Screenwriter
• Editor
• Cinematographer
• Director
• Producer
• Lighting
• Sound Design

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• BBC
• Film Four
• Foyle Film Festival
• Game of Thrones (TV Series)
• HBO
• Krypton (TV Series)
• Nerve Centre

Modules

Year one

• Introduction to Film Art
• Visual Storytelling
• Editing 1
• Mobile Moving Image Production
• Lighting, Camera, Sound
• Dramatic Structures on Stage and Screen

Year two

• Cinematography
• Screenwriting
• Dramatic Short
• Feature Screenwriting
• Design for Film and Animation
• Editing 2
• Independent Film
• Animation and VFX
• Lifewide Learning & Personal Development (Cinematic Arts)
• Sound for Productions
• Production Management
• Acting 4: Acting and Screen

Year three

• International Academic Studies (Cinematic Arts)
• Industrial Placement (Cinematic Arts)

Year four

• The Business of TV & Film
• Final Project (Practice)
• Final Project (Theory & Context)
• Documentary Practice
• Horror Film: Theory and Practice
• Experimental Film and Animation
• Law, film and visual culture

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

The A Level requirement for this course is BBC at A2. Applicants may satisfy the requirement for the A level C grade by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.

Applied General Qualifications

• BTEC Awards
• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite)
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite)
• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2012 Suite)
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite)
• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma (2012 Suite)
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate (2016 Suite)

Irish Leaving Certificate

112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

The Scottish Highers requirement for this course is BBCCC.

Scottish Advanced Highers

The Scottish Advanced Highers requirement for this course is CCD.

International Baccalaureate

Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum of 25 points to include 12 at higher level.

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 63% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access course) Overall profile of 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit (60 credit Access course) (GB Access course)

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above English Language.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants: The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5.

Additional Entry Requirements

HND - Overall Merit with distinctions in 45 Level 5 credits for entry to Year 1. Those applicants holding a subject-related HND with an overall Merit may be considered for entry to Year 2.

HNC – Overall Merit with distinctions in 75 Level 4 credits for entry to Year 1 only.

You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University (provided subject requirements as noted above are met).

Foundation Degree

An overall mark of 50% in Level 5 modules for Year 1 entry. Those applicants holding a subject-related Foundation Degree may be considered for entry to Year 2.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning)

The University will consider applications on the basis of experiential learning for those who do not hold the normal entry qualifications.

Transfer from degree level study at other institutions

Those applicants seeking entry with advanced standing, (eg. Transfer from another institution or year 2 entry) will be considered on an individual basis.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• BBC
• Film Four
• Foyle Film Festival
• Game of Thrones (TV Series)
• HBO
• Krypton (TV Series)
• Nerve Centre

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Screenwriter
• Editor
• Cinematographer
• Director
• Producer
• Lighting
• Sound Design

Career options

Cinematic Arts graduates will complete their studies possessing a range of valuable and transferrable skills in key areas of moving image content development/production, communication and creative thinking. With such interdisciplinary skills future career opportunities aren’t limited to the cinematic world, other relevant roles and industries include:

• Advertising
• Ambient media
• Filmmaking
• Live performance
• Online media
• Research
• Screenwriting
• Visual Arts

Work placement / study abroad

On successful completion of Year 2 studies, you have the opportunity to take the optional module Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) or (DPPI). This provides an opportunity for you to gain first hand practical experience within a professional environment such as an advertising agency or brand consultancy prior to your final year of study. This module links the education experience to the real life situation of practice in the creative industries. It provides you with a range of experiences and skills relative to your practice, future career and professional development.

You also have the opportunity to take the other optional module Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS). This optional module provides an opportunity for you to undertake an extended period of study outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, developing an international perspective and an appreciation of cultural sensitivities which are desirable qualities in any graduate. You will develop an enhanced understanding of the academic discipline whilst generating educational and cultural networks.

Past students have successfully completed placements at Hedgehogs vs Foxes (Dublin) and have studied filmmaking abroad in the USA, Denmark, Hungary, Madrid, Portugal and Turkey.

Fees and funding

2026/27 Fees

Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2025/26 entry.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

N/A

Additional mandatory costs

The School provides a range of resources incl. computer workstations, cameras, lighting, and sound equipment which can be utilised by students with appropriate training. Additonally, the Magee library is well stocked with the vast majority of required reading and viewing.

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.