Program Overview

BA (Hons) Film and Media Studies

The BA (Hons) Film and Media Studies program at Manchester Metropolitan University offers students an exciting intellectual journey to a future filled with creative possibilities. This course explores everything from the early days of cinema to today’s digital, global, and connected media world.

Course Overview

As a BA (Hons) Film and Media Studies student, you'll learn to look at films and media as more than entertainment: they’re cultural objects shaped by the industries that create them. They influence both society and the world around us. Throughout the course, you’ll gain skills that are not only important for film and media careers but also valued in many other fields.

Features and Benefits

• Our modules cover the historical and critical analysis of cinema, television, and other media from the early 20th Century to very contemporary releases.
• Explore both mainstream ‘Hollywood’ style cinema and less commercial screen cultures from around the globe.
• We are a world-class English department — 70% of our research impact is rated as world-leading (REF21).
• Manchester is an ideal location with links to the professional media bodies in the North West, including HOME, Grimmfest, Media City UK, the BBC, and Granada TV.
• Our Media Industry module allows you to work on professional live briefs with partners in industries such as cinema, game production, marketing, cinema, podcasting, radio, and television.

Course Structure

The course is structured over three years for full-time students, with the option of a fourth year for those who choose to undertake a placement or study abroad.

Year 1

In Year 1, you will be introduced to historical, theoretical, and practical concepts in screen-based media forms, including film, television, and emergent media. Core modules include:

• Screening Mancunia
• The Art and History of Cinema
• Living in a Mediated World
• Screens, Streams, and Platforms

Year 2

In Year 2, you will learn to use theoretical concepts in your analysis of key genres and modes of film and media. Core modules include:

• The Politics and Pleasures of Cinema
• Promoting Screen Cultures
• Engaging Media Audiences Option modules are also available, including:
• Creative Workshop 1
• Engaging the Humanities 1
• Fit for the Future
• Global Challenges: Green Literature, Film and Media
• Manchester City of Literature
• Manchester Media
• World Cinemas

Year 3

In your final year, you will undertake an independent project and select areas of study from a range of option modules to suit your interests. Core modules include:

• Media Industries
• Independent Project: Film and Media Studies Option modules include:
• Study Abroad Semester
• American Cinema & National Identity
• Cultures of Life and Death: Debates In Contemporary Literature, Film and Theory
• Fit for the Future
• Gothic on Screen
• Immersive Media: Digital Technologies and Interactive Futures
• Introduction to Book Publishing
• Introduction to Teaching
• LGBTQ+ Screens and Cultures
• Reading Games
• Reading and Writing Games
• Representing Trauma
• Writing Series Drama

Study and Assessment

The course combines lectures, seminars, and independent study. Assessment is 100% coursework across all years.

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: 104-112 UCAS tariff points
• IELTS score: 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5
• Level 3 qualifications: 104-112 UCAS tariff points, including GCE A levels, Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma, Access to HE Diploma, UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma, OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma, and IB Diploma.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalized. Information on 2025/26 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students is available.

Careers Support and Prospects

88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first-degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation. The course prepares students for a diverse range of career options, including marketing, social media management, TV, radio, and podcast production, publishing, film education, teaching, and journalism. Manchester is an ideal location with links to many professional media bodies in the North West.

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) Creative Writing
• BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing
• BA (Hons) English
• BA (Hons) English and Film

Disclaimers

Our programs undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6-year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programs, please see the changes section of our terms and conditions. The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk.