BA (Hons) Film Studies

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Explore the history and development of cinema from around the world
• Study film theory, criticism and interpretation
• Hands-on practice with digital cameras and editing software
• Opportunity to learn filmmaking skills
• Opens up careers in film production, exhibition and distribution as well as research and teaching
• WATCH: 2022 Degree show and graduate projects
• Liverpool Screen School is a BAFTA albert Education Partner and proud to be working with albert to arm students with the sustainability knowledge they’ll need when joining the screen industries.BAFTA albert is the leading screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability.

About your course

The BA (Hons) Film Studies at Liverpool John Moores University is a hybrid degree that combines practical and theoretical work. The course will enable you to explore the development of cinema worldwide, while providing you with extensive hands-on filmmaking and editing experience using our industry-standard production studio and editing suites.

The degree offered by LJMU is an academic programme but you will also be given the option of receiving hands-on practical experience with digital cameras and editing software to create an impressive portfolio of your own. This will include short fiction and documentary. Liverpool is the second most filmed city in the UK after London and the perfect place to start your filmmaking career.

You will be based in the Liverpool Screen School, which is located in the £38million Redmonds Building in the Knowledge Quarter of Liverpool city centre. The building features the latest in specialist facilities, including a production studio, a green screen and designated editing suites.

Additional course costs

Production expenses are subsidised for Final Film Production at level 6.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

• Film Language (20 credits)
  • In studying film language students will gain key foundational skills in practising in textual analysis in relation to film.
• Writing for Screen (20 credits)
  • Writing for Screen will equip the students with industry standard practices for screenwriting whilst at the same time encourage them to find their own creative voice as a screenwriter.
• Film Theory (20 credits)
  • This course surveys the history of the various traditions of theoretical inquiry in film studies.
• British Social Realism in Film (20 credits)
  • This module will outline the social realist traditions associated with British cinema.
• Production Skills (20 credits)
  • Through a series of lectures and practical workshops students will be introduced to fundamental film production skills using cameras, lenses, lighting and sound equipment.
• Post-Production Skills (20 credits)
  • This practical module introduces the basic principles and software tools involved in post-production for film.

Core modules

• Documentary Filmmaking (20 credits)
  • This module will introduce you to the basic principles of directing, filming, editing and producing for a short documentary film.
• Fiction Filmmaking (20 credits)
  • The fiction filmmaking module will develop students’ knowledge and experience of the technical, creative, organisational and administrative demands involved in a short film production.
• Working in Film (20 credits)
  • This module aims to give students an understanding of the working practices and organisation of the British film industry.

Optional modules

• American Cinema (20 credits)
  • Through a series of seminars student will develop a deep understanding of developments in American cinema from its beginnings to the present day.
• Film Adaptation (20 credits)
  • This module will consider theoretical debates such as the limitations of Fidelity and whether Adaptation can be considered a genre.
• Experimental Filmmaking (20 credits)
  • In this module you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, planning and managing a short experimental film production.
• Video Essay (20 credits)
  • Through a series of lectures and practical making workshops, students will be introduced to the video essay as a form of scholarly engagement with Film.

Professional accreditation

The Liverpool Screen School is a BAFTA albert Education Partner and proud to be working with albert to arm students with the sustainability knowledge they’ll need when joining the screen industries. BAFTA albert is the leading screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability.

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support Assessment
• Excellent facilities and learning resources
• Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
• Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

Career paths

This course has a strong vocational dimension and encourages the development of a particular set of skills that are valued not only in the film industry but in other industries as well.

LJMU Film Studies graduates have gone on to work in the film and television industries as writers, directors, researchers and actors. Employers include the BBC, Channel 4, FACT, LA Productions and Lime Pictures.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home: £9,535
• International: £17,750

Entry requirements

• Grades/points required from qualifications: BBC - ABB (112 - 128)
• GCSEs and equivalents: Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification.
• A levels: BBC - ABB
• BTECs: Extended Diploma: DMM - DDM
• Access awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
• OCR Cambridge Technical: ​Extended Diploma: DMM - DDM
• Irish awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
• T levels: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

Additional requirements

• Interview required: Mature and non standard applicants may be invited to attend interview
• DBS, Occupational Health requirements: No
• Reduced offer scheme: As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold between 8 and 16 UCAS points.

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Degree Overview:

The BA (Hons) Film Studies at Liverpool John Moores University is a hybrid degree that combines practical and theoretical work. It aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of cinema's history and development worldwide, while providing extensive hands-on filmmaking and editing experience. The program emphasizes both academic study and practical application, allowing students to develop a strong portfolio of their own work.

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Objectives:

• Explore the history and development of cinema from around the world.
• Study film theory, criticism, and interpretation.
• Gain hands-on practice with digital cameras and editing software.
• Learn filmmaking skills.
• Prepare for careers in film production, exhibition, and distribution, as well as research and teaching.

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Outline:

The program is structured over three years, with modules categorized by level:

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Level 4:

• Core Modules:
• Writing for Screen: Develops industry-standard screenwriting practices and encourages students to find their own creative voice.
Includes theoretical writing and short film narratives.
• British Social Realism in Film: Explores the social realist traditions of British cinema, from its origins to the present day.
Students develop a pre-production portfolio for potential future film projects.
• Film Language: Introduces foundational skills in textual analysis of film.
• Film Theory: Surveys the history of various theoretical traditions in film studies, including textual criticism, identity politics, and other paradigms.
• Production Skills: Introduces fundamental film production skills using cameras, lenses, lighting, and sound equipment.
• Post-Production Skills: Introduces basic principles and software tools for film post-production.
Students develop skills to build a personal portfolio and gain software proficiency.

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Level 5:

• Core Modules:
• Documentary Filmmaking: Introduces the principles of directing, filming, editing, and producing short documentaries.
• Fiction Filmmaking: Develops students' knowledge and experience of technical, creative, organizational, and administrative aspects of short film production.
Focuses on creative processes and production management.
• Working in Film: Provides an understanding of the working practices and organization of the British film industry.
Includes work-based learning opportunities through networking and presentations to industry professionals.
• Optional Modules:
• American Cinema: Explores the development of American cinema from its beginnings to the present day, covering topics like the studio system, independent production, censorship, and international co-production.
• Film Adaptation: Examines theoretical debates surrounding film adaptation, including fidelity and genre.
Focuses on stage-to-screen adaptations, Shakespearian translations, comic book and video game adaptations, and fan adaptations. Includes workshops to develop screenwriting skills.
• Experimental Filmmaking: Provides hands-on experience planning and managing a short experimental film production.
Develops specific skills in cinematography, lighting, sound design, editing, and color grading.
• Video Essay: Introduces the video essay as a form of scholarly engagement with film.
Students gain familiarity with current practices and explore the video essay as a legitimate form of academic research and publication.
• Study Semester Abroad: Opportunity to spend one semester at a partner university abroad.
• Study Year Abroad: Opportunity to spend a full year at a partner university abroad.
• European Cinema: Introduces the range and variety of films produced in Europe, highlighting different national traditions and the significance of film festivals.

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Level 6:

• Core Modules:
• Final Film Pre-Production: Develops understanding of pre-production skills and practices applied to filmmaking.
• Final Film Production: Provides hands-on experience with advanced technical equipment for short video production, focusing on either fiction or non-fiction filmmaking.
• Film Thesis: Develops critical thinking and research skills through the completion of a large independent study project.
Encourages effective time management, meeting deadlines, and self-directed study in a specific area of Film Studies.
• Optional Modules:
• Interpretation in Film: Explores various theoretical approaches to film interpretation, including text-based approaches, paratexts, promotion, taste cultures, audiences, and fandom.
• Work Based Learning: Provides opportunities to gain direct knowledge of working practices in a film-related field through a negotiated learning contract with an employer/client.
• Black American Film: Provides a historical overview of Black American identity in film, covering topics like minstrelsy, early Black pioneers, stereotyping, the emergence of Black stars, the Civil Rights Era, Blaxploitation, gangsta films, intersectionality, and Black Lives Matter.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the module but typically include a combination of exams and coursework.

• Coursework: Essays, reviews, individual and group presentations, critical self-evaluation, logbooks, portfolios, research exercises, work-based learning reports, and dissertations.
• Exams: Seen and unseen exams, class tests.
• Group Productions: Pre-production portfolios, factual and fictional films.
Constructive feedback is provided within 21 days of submission.

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Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: Lectures, seminars, writing workshops, film screenings, online activities, production group work, one-to-one tutorials.
• Faculty: The program is led by Dr. Ruth Doughty, whose research interests include African American cinema, film music, theory, and Liverpool.
• Unique Approaches: The program utilizes a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face and online learning.
This allows for a diverse learning experience and easy access to support from personal tutors.

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Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Writers, directors, researchers, actors, film production, exhibition, and distribution, research, teaching, public relations, advertising, corporate communications, cultural journalism, film and television service industries.
• Opportunities: The Liverpool Screen School has strong connections with key film and media organizations, providing networking opportunities and work-related learning experiences.
• Outcomes: Graduates have secured positions at organizations like the BBC, Channel 4, FACT, LA Productions, and Lime Pictures.

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Other:

• Facilities: The program is based in the Redmonds Building, which features high-quality lecture theatres, seminar rooms, TV studios, radio suites, a green screen, editing rooms, news rooms, social spaces, and a café.
• Go Abroad: LJMU offers various international opportunities, including study abroad programs, work placements, internships, and summer schools.

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• Home full-time per year: £9,250
• International full-time per year: £17,750
All figures are subject to yearly increases. Tuition fees are subject to parliamentary approval.

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Overview:

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a public university located in Liverpool, England. It is a large and diverse institution with a strong focus on providing high-quality education and research opportunities.

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Services Offered:

LJMU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus accommodation options are available for students.

Student Support:

The university provides comprehensive support services, including academic advising, career counseling, financial aid, and mental health resources.

Library:

LJMU has a well-equipped library with extensive resources and study spaces.

Student Futures:

This service helps students with career planning, job searching, and employability skills development.

International Student Support:

Dedicated support is available for international students, including visa guidance and cultural adjustment programs.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

LJMU offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience for its students. Key aspects include:

Sports, Societies, and Lifestyle:

Students can participate in a wide range of sports clubs, societies, and social events.

Campus:

The university has multiple campuses located in Liverpool, providing a diverse and stimulating environment.

Go Abroad:

LJMU offers opportunities for students to study abroad and gain international experience.

Volunteering:

Students can engage in volunteering activities and contribute to the local community.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Reputation:

LJMU is known for its high-quality teaching and research.

Diverse Programs:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

Location:

Liverpool is a vibrant and culturally rich city, providing students with a stimulating and enjoyable living experience.

Student Support:

LJMU provides comprehensive support services to ensure student success.

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Academic Programs:

LJMU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate:

Bachelor's degrees in various fields, including business, law, health sciences, engineering, and the arts.

Postgraduate:

Master's degrees, PhD programs, and other postgraduate qualifications.

Degree Apprenticeships:

Programs that combine work experience with academic study.

Continuing Professional Development:

Short courses and programs for professionals seeking to enhance their skills.