Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Film and Media Studies (Foundation Year)

The humanities and social sciences are key to understanding what it means to be human. By studying these subjects, you'll gain insights into yourself, your relationships with others, and the world we live in. If you're passionate about these areas and ready to take your studies to the next level, completing this one-year course will set you on the path to your linked undergraduate degree.

Course Overview

During your foundation year, you'll be introduced to your specialist subject as well as being given a broad introduction to the humanities and social sciences, with training to help you thrive in higher education. Alongside modules that prepare you for university life, you'll take modules that connect directly to your future studies, building confidence and getting you ready for the next stage. You'll also have the opportunity to discover new interests and develop a collaborative mindset, setting you up for success in your academic journey. Once you've completed the foundation year, you'll move straight into year one of your degree.

Features and Benefits

• Each year we accept hundreds of students onto foundation year courses who have the ability to study at degree level but who don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto an honours degree.
• Has content that is tailored so that it is appropriate to your chosen degree.
• Helps you to develop the study skills and academic knowledge you will need to start Year 1 of your course with confidence.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

Teaching Excellence Framework

We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.

Year 1

International students who do not meet the IELTS requirement are placed on the foundation year international route which offers additional English language study skills and tutor support through the English for Academic Study unit.

Core Modules

• Passport to Success: Essential Skills for University Life: This module will support your transition to higher education by developing key skills for studying humanities and social sciences. You'll focus on critical thinking, academic writing, and research, while also gaining knowledge of sustainability, employability, mental health, and the support available to you - ensuring your success at university.
• Approaches to the Humanities: This module offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the humanities and social sciences, thinking about how humans interact with and respond to each other and the world around them. Centred around a key theme, something of significant contemporary importance, you'll discover how different disciplines approach this theme, helping you to broaden your perspectives, and engage in collaborative learning and assessment.
• Approaches to Texts: This module offers an introduction to the skills of close reading and textual analysis, focussing on a selection of texts and promoting critical awareness of their salient features. You will approach texts within and outside traditional canons as things to read and examine. The module will provide a sound foundation for you to progress on to courses of English, Film and Media, Creative Writing, Digital Media and Multimedia Journalism.
• Understanding the Language of Culture: This module discusses a range of definitions of culture and sub-culture. In the module you will engage with a range of everyday manifestations of culture. The module will promote a critical awareness of salient features of a range of artefacts and help you think about various meanings and expressions of culture.

Option Modules

• English for Academic Study (Option Unit): The module focuses on reading, writing, listening and speaking, from within both an academic and general context. The module is designed for non-native English speakers to prepare them for the academic demands of their degree course, as well as helping them with daily English needs. The module content is largely based on the development of academic skills, notably writing and speaking, to give you confidence in your written work and oral presentations. General English is also focused on, however, as the means to helps you develop your abilities in English communication needed outside the classroom.

Study and Assessment

Study

• Year 1: 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study

Assessment

• Year 1: 100% coursework

Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A three-year degree qualification typically comprises of 360 credits (120 credits per year). During the course, you are likely to be required to engage in collaborative projects, group work activities and to give presentations to your peers/tutors. Some or all of this work may be formally assessed, depending on the course you are studying. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning.

Entry Requirements

These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2026/27 academic year. Please check back for further details.

Typical Offer

72-80 UCAS tariff points

IELTS Score

5.5 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of course start date

UK Students

Level 3 Qualifications

72-80 UCAS tariff points.

• GCE A levels - grades DDD or equivalent
• Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade MMP
• Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 74 UCAS Tariff points
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Pass overall
• OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade MMP
• T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Pass as a condition of offer
• IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 24 or minimum 72 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered. A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement. AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.

Level 2 Qualifications

GCSE grade D/3 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English

International Students

IB Diploma

IB Diploma with minimum 24 points overall or 72 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English

IELTS

5.5 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of course start date

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses. You can find information on 2025/26 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students. All fees stated may be subject to change for the 2026/27 academic year.

Careers Support and Prospects

Employed or in Further Study

88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation. Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22 leavers, HESA data.

Explore Your Options and Build Sought-After Skills

Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting your own business. Through Future Me, you’ll explore your career plans. And through Rise, you will top up your skills with hundreds of online short courses. Our groundbreaking research with industry means we have unrivalled business connections that can help open doors to your dream career. You’ll get chances to meet employers, and help preparing for interviews. And the support doesn’t stop when you graduate. Our recent graduates can access services and support to start and boost their careers. As an alumnus, you will have lifelong access to our online career resources.

A Career as Unique as You

Successful completion of the foundation year guarantees automatic progression into Year 1 of your chosen linked degree. Graduates of BA (Hons) Film and Media Studies develop a number of transferable skills well suited to a broad range of graduate employment opportunities. Typical careers for Film and Media Studies graduates include research in film and media, programme development for television and radio, film education, teaching and journalism. Manchester is an ideal location with links to many professional media bodies in the North West, including HOME, Grimmfest, BBC Manchester and Granada Studios.