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Develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the history, theory and practice of film.
Our Film Studies degree is an opportunity to study the history and theory of the cinema, while also learning the technical and practical aspects of film production. Film Studies fosters an understanding of visual aesthetics and may lead you into areas of study as diverse as history, politics, philosophy, technology and performance.
In your first year you’ll pick up a solid foundation in cinema history, film language and critical concepts, as well as having an opportunity to write a script and make a short film.
For your second and third years you can choose from a wide range of modules, tailoring your studies to your interests and needs. You’ll select a mix of theoretical and practical module options, from the philosophy and history of film to analysis of British, Indian and American cinema, as well as hands-on experience of producing, writing, directing and editing films in a number of styles and genres.
You can complete your Film Studies degree in three or four years. If you choose to study abroad, this will take place in Year 3 and Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.
Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our Film Studies BA with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).
Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary and what the progression requirements are.
At the time, I was looking to expand my understanding of cinema not only technically, but also through areas such as philosophy, history, psychology and politics. This program permanently altered my approach to film, teaching me how to understand the cinema’s complex visual language. It also made my own practice more meaningful by teaching me how to express my vision more effectively and clearly.
You'll receive approximately 10 to 16 hours of weekly contact time, in the form of lectures led by academic staff, seminars, film screenings, workshop sessions and group work in the studios or on location.
For every hour spent in class, you'll complete a further two to three hours of independent study.
Assessment typically includes coursework and an end-of-module exam, although some modules, including the practical ones, are assessed by coursework only. Final-year students will pursue a sustained piece of research or to develop an extended film production project or long script.
The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:
If you’re interested in learning another language, you can sign up for a course at Queen Mary’s Language Centre, where you can choose from Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Japanese, Bengali, Catalan, Italian or Spanish.
Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification.
For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Our standard contextual offer: Grades BBC. This must include at least one essay based A-Level in a humanities or social sciences subject. at A-Level. Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking.
Our enhanced contextual offer (for care experienced students, refugee/asylum seekers or students who have completed Realising Opportunities or Access to Queen Mary): Grades BCC. This must include at least one essay based A-Level in a humanities or social sciences subject. at A-Level. Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking.
More information on how this information is used for a contextual offer can be found on our contextualised admissions page.
We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.
If your qualifications are not accepted for direct entry onto this degree, consider applying for a foundation programme.
Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.
You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.
See our general undergraduate entry requirements.
UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.
Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.
Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.
Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.
We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.
Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:
Film Studies students graduate with a broad range of skills that can take them through to successful careers. This, coupled with multiple opportunities for extra-curricular activities and work experience, prepares them for the world of work.
Some apply their degree knowledge directly, entering careers such as directing and film production, whilst others transfer their skills into areas such as public relations and marketing.
Recent graduates have been hired by:
Film Studies students receive advice on how to gain work experience in the film industry, which can give you an edge in a competitive job market. Thanks to our London location, you may get the chance to work in a film-related part-time job or self-directed work placement during your studies.
Our careers team can also offer:
Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.
Film Studies - BA (Hons)
Film Studies with Year Abroad - BA (Hons)
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)
The School of the Arts combines innovation, discovery and excellence in education and research in Drama, Film, Modern Languages, English & Comparative Literature, Creative Writing, Linguistics and Liberal Arts. We rank in the top 100 worldwide for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
With our commitment to social justice, inclusivity and social mobility, our collaborations with external organisations, prominent writers and performers, and our facilities that support both academic and practice-based learning, an education in the School of the Arts equips our students with critical thinking and practical skills, unleashes their imagination and enables them to reach the levels of excellence needed in today’s industries.
We regularly host prominent writers and performers and collaborate with leading organisations such as the V&A, the Barbican, the Live Art Development Agency and Shakespeare’s Globe.
We are renowned for the depth and impact of research - which leads our teaching. We rank 1st for drama and in the top 10 for film in the UK for the quality of our research (REF2021). Our multilingual community brings together brilliant minds from across the world to share a wealth of expertise combining research excellence with an unrivalled commitment to social justice and social mobility.