Program Overview

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Film

BA (Hons)

Overview

In a world that is hungry for new content to watch, film is an exciting subject to study. With demand currently making it one of the largest sectors in the UK, the film industry is attracting major investment and actively recruiting.

You may want to be a film director, producer or screenwriter or you may want to specialise in new media or independent films. Whichever direction you take, our course will give you the direct experience and professional knowledge you need. A third year optional work placement can help you progress your skills.

You’ll cover core skills in film production, film criticism and film history. But most importantly, you’ll learn how to apply these techniques to your own work.

A popular part of the final year is a work placement or a live project. And our strong links with the industry mean a film degree from Oxford Brookes is an ideal stepping stone for your future career.

Graduates have gone on to work on productions including Skyfall, Slumdog Millionaire, Doctor Who, Saturday Kitchen and Downton Abbey. Where could it take you?

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Experience abroad
• Renowned lecturers
• Top 10 in the UK
• State of the art facilities
• Boost your employability
• Learn a language
• Study abroad

Course details

Course structure

Throughout the course, you’ll get a good balance of practical application and film theory.

In your first year we focus on giving you a firm foundation in the creative, critical and professional skills involved in producing films. A range of modules help you explore topics such as film history, popular cinema and the language of film. As you start to make your own films, you’ll experiment with screenwriting and creative practice.

During Year 2 you’ll learn new digital research methods and examine different approaches to filmmaking. You’ll develop your critical insight and creative ability. Plus, our optional modules, including short film development, the analysis of stardom or the careers of independent filmmakers, allow you to specialise.

Your final year is when you have the option to choose between writing a dissertation or shooting a short film of your own. To give you first-hand experience of the real world of film, the year also includes a live client project or extensive work placement (or you may decide to take a whole year out between the second and third year on placement).

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of teaching and learning activities:

• Tutorials
• Skills workshops
• Technical Demonstrations
• Work-based Learning
• Live Projects

Assessment

The course is 100% assessed through coursework. All group work is supported and monitored closely to ensure fairness and maximum participation.

This course encourages you to think and behave like a professional and you will have the opportunity to:

• use cutting-edge digital methodologies
• pitch story ideas
• create scripts
• direct short films
• design a programme for a local independent cinema
• organise and run our popular Student Film Festival.

Field Trips

Recent field trips have included:

• visits to local cinemas (eg The Ultimate Picture Palace)
• events at the London Film Festival
• a week in New York, including the Museum of the Moving Image and NBC Studios
• a week in Berlin during the Berlinale
• the Cannes Film Festival in May.

A separate fee will apply to an optional field trip.

Study modules

Teaching for this course takes place face to face and you can expect around 9 hours of contact time per week. In addition to this, you should also anticipate a workload of 1,200 hours per year. Teaching usually takes place Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 6.00pm.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Thinking Film 1: Framing Film Analysis
• Working in Film 1: Screen Industries
• Making Film 1: Introduction to Creative Practices
• Thinking Film 2: Research Skills and Resources
• Thinking Film 3: Popular Cinema
• Working in Film 2: Film History, Industry and Technology

Optional modules

• Making Film 2: Screenwriting Film and TV

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Making Film 3: Approaches to Filmmaking
• Thinking Film 5: Digital Research Methods

Optional modules

• Making Film 4: Screenwriting Craft and Practice
• Making Film 5: Short Film Production
• Thinking Film 4: Star and Audiences
• Independent Study In Film
• Working in Film 3: Festivals, Cinemas and New media
• Working in Film 4: Independent Filmmakers

Year 3 (placement year)

Optional modules

• Career Development Placement

Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)

Compulsory modules

• Thinking Film 6: Film Theory
• Working in Film 5: Creative Industries

Optional modules

• Making Film 6: Short Film Development
• Making Film 7: Short Film Project
• Thinking Film 7: Dissertation in Film

Careers

Our course is designed so that you will graduate as a well-rounded professional, equipped for a variety of roles in the film and media industry.

You may decide to pursue a career in film or TV, production management, media journalism or creative writing for the screen. Or you could take up a related job such as marketing or public relations in the film industry.

Recent students have gone on to pursue successful careers at:

• BBC
• Sky TV
• Channel 5
• Pinewood
• Universal Studios
• Disney
• BT Sport
• HBO.

Graduates regularly have their works featured at film festivals across the world including the Academy Awards and various BAFTA Qualifying Festivals, such as the Festivale de Cannes, the Leeds International Film Festival and the HollyShorts.

Other students decide to stay in academia and pursue a research career in their specialist field.

Entry requirements

• Standard offer: UCAS Tariff Points: 112, A Level: BBC, IB Points: 30, BTEC: DMM
• Contextual offer: UCAS Tariff Points: 88, A Level: CCD, IB Points: 27, BTEC: MMM

Tuition fees

• 2025 / 26: Home (UK) full time: £9,535, Home (UK) part time: £1,190 per single module, Home (UK) sandwich (placement): £1,700, International full time: £16,750, International sandwich (placement): £1,700
• 2026 / 27: Home (UK) full time: £9,535, Home (UK) part time: £1,910 per single module, Home (UK) sandwich (placement): £1,905, International full time: £17,250, International sandwich (placement): £1,905

Funding your studies

• Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK students
• Undergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students
• Oxford Brookes Bursary for New Students

Additional costs

• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required.
• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies.
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills)
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs)
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography.
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes.