Film Studies Undergraduate

Our Film Studies degree combines critical and creative work and practice, depending on your interests and career plans. At Bangor, we are committed to teaching in small groups and to the majority of our modules being delivered through weekly workshops and seminars.

Lecturers who teach on the Film Studies degree have a range of interests including American Cinema, British and European film, Japanese and other world cinemas, gender, visual culture, film analysis, the body and film, film and history, digital technology and film, script writing and screenwriting, film-making, media and film in Wales, acting and performing, language and film, blogging and podcasting, computer games and film, film stars and film on television. Our Film Studies lecturers have recently written books and articles on topics such as Cult Film, American Culture and Film, Cinema and Medicine, Jewish Film, Surrealist Film, Cinema and Landscape, Australian Film, and the new technologies of film viewing.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• The School of Creative Studies and Media is unique in its close integration of critical and theoretical approaches with hands-on creative practice. Students in the School have the opportunity at all levels to combine a study of their chosen field with practice-based outcomes such as writing, performance, and media/digital media production.
• The School specialises in a number of key areas: Professional Writing and Journalism; Media and Digital Communication; Film Studies; Performance Studies; Creative and Media Practice. The School has research interests in all areas of Film Studies, with research programmes running in several key areas.
• We have excellent links with theatre companies, newspapers and the television industry.
• Many members of staff in the School are practising professionals and consultants.
• The School has a fully-equipped media centre with editing suites, production studios, media and digital media equipment.
• Bangor is the site for a range of Creative Industries conferences, video conferences and events.

For more on studying degree courses see our Study at Bangor section.

Film Studies at Bangor offers a balance of practical and analytical tasks. Media Practice modules concentrate on three key areas: studio production, single camera filming and editing, and radio production. Practical modules will be assessed both on practical output and on the individual's ability to reflect critically on their practice. Modules on film theory, film and culture, visual culture, analysing film and documentary are assessed by exam and assignment and frequently also offer the opportunity to submit practical work as an element of assessment. As you progress through the degree, much of your study will be done in small teaching groups with an emphasis on learning both group work skills and the ability to carry a piece of work through yourself from initial concept to completion.

What will you study on this course?

Modules you might take include:

Year 1

• Creative Practice
• Creating Narratives
• Moving Image
• Digital Communication
• Introduction to Media Practice
• Development of Moving Image
• Media Culture

Years 2 & 3

• Film Theory/Film Culture
• America on Film
• Cultural Economy of the Media
• Writing for Film & Media
• Topics in European Cinema
• Research and Practice/Methods
• Media Practice: Factual
• Understanding Documentary
• Adaptations in European Cinema
• Adapting for Film and Media
• Transnational Cinema
• French Cinema since 1960
• Dissertation
• Final Year Group Project
• Short Film Pre-production
• Short film Production
• Animation & Motion Graphics

You can study Film Studies as a Joint Honours Degree with Creative Writing. English Language, English Literature, French, German, History, Italian, Music, Spanish (see Single or Joint Honours for explanation).

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Film Studies Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

Necessarily Incurred Costs:

Students are encouraged to purchase core texts for modules; the price for the core texts is typically between £20 and £50 per 20-credit module. All software is provided on University systems, but students may choose to purchase copies from software distributors for personal use.

Optional Costs:

These can include School graduation events, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

General University Costs

Home/EU Student Tuition Fees (starting in 2019–20 & 2020–21)

• Full time: £9,000 per year
• Part time: £750 per 10 credits

International Student Tuition Fees*
* Please note: the international tuition fees displayed are for the current academic year (2020-21). The fees for the next academic year (2021-22) will be confirmed soon.

When coming to University, you will have two main costs, Tuition Fees and Living Costs.

There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for guest tickets (£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

USA Requirements

International Year Zero:  HSD GPA 2.0 OR SAT 1500+ 
International Year 1:  HSD GPA 3.0 OR SAT 500+ each section OR ACTs 26+  
Undergraduate Courses:  HSD GPA 3.0 OR SAT 550+ each section OR ACTs 26+  
Postgraduate Courses:  Bachelor Degree GPA of 3.0. GRE not required 
PhD/Research Course:  Masters Degree 

Note: Some courses may require higher entry requirements. Refer Individual Course page for details. 

Applicants from USA need NOT provide additional evidence of English Language ability, if previous education was with English medium of instruction. Otherwise, an IELTS overall 6.0 with 5.5 in each component or equivalent is normally required (some courses may require a higher score).

For 2021 entry:

Offers are tariff based, 80 - 120 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g:

•     A Levels (no specific subjects required)
•     International Baccalaureate Diploma
•     BTEC National/Extended Diploma and Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMP - DDM
•     City & Guilds Advanced Technical/ Extended Diploma: considered on a case by case basis
•     Access
•     Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted.

International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements), details here.

We also welcome applications from mature applicants.

*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.

General University Requirements

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

To study a degree, diploma or certificate course you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.

Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.

EU and International students' entry requirements

For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor  University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

More information

Home/EU students and International UCAS applicants

E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to:

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717 

International students (non-UCAS applicants)

Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028

Our graduates work in the film, media and creative industries, in teaching, in arts development, in film programming, filmmaking and scheduling, and in other fields where their developed visual sense and ability to engage critically and creatively with film is seen to be of considerable importance. Several graduates each year go on to develop their work further with us through a period of postgraduate study, where once again the School uniquely offers a combination of critical and creative approaches to the study of film and film practice.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.

The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

The Bangor Employability Award enables students to build on their transferable skills through the recognition of activities they become involved in during their university life. Students can gain points towards the award through extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.

The HEAR is a final graduation report that all undergraduates receive. The report itemises all academic achievements and additional extra and co-curricular achievements. Academic achievements appear on the report automatically and students are able to note their eligible activities by using the online platform ‘My Employability Hub’. This ensures that future employers are made aware of the additional skills the student has gained outside of the curriculum.

The Award is open to everyone and taking part in the scheme can make a major difference to your performance in the graduate job market.

Internships

Bangor University runs undergraduate and postgraduate internship schemes twice a year, which allow students to work in a professional environment while learning relevant skills and earning money.

Internships offer valuable experience in a professional workplace and there are a range of internships you can get involved in.

Student Volunteering

Not only is volunteering worthwhile – it also improves your employability and widens your experience.

The Students’ Union has a dedicated Student Volunteering Office (SVB) which currently contributes a total of 600 hours each week, promoting a close relationship between the university and the local community. Find out more on the Student Volunteering pages of the Bangor Student’s Union website.

TARGETconnect - Working while you Study

The Skills and Employability Service offers support to students searching for employment during and after their studies.

TARGETconnect advertises the following opportunities:

• Graduate jobs – Local, National and International
• Full-time, part time, permanent and temporary jobs
• Work experience / internships
• Voluntary opportunities

General University Application

How to apply through UCAS

Apply online via UCAS

UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. All university applications are processed through UCAS and then passed on to the universities listed.

Students may apply for a maximum of five courses. For Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary courses students are only allowed to apply for four courses.

The application form is found on the UCAS website, under ‘Apply’.

When to apply?

We advise you to apply as early as you can as we will start considering applications and making offers straight away. The initial UCAS deadline for UK and EU students is 15 January, however we welcome applications after this date. Those received between 15 January and 30 June will continue to be forwarded to universities by UCAS and will receive consideration where places are still available.

Your Personal Statement

Writing your Personal Statement is the part of the application form that requires most work. You are only allowed 47 lines or 500–550 words to explain why you wish to study the course and the skills you have that are essential for university study.

To write a successful personal statement for your UCAS application you must have a good understanding about the course and its content. Remember that you write only one personal statement for your five choices. Make sure that the courses are similar, if not the same, and make sure that you do not mention a specific course or university.

Read our advice on how to draft a winning personal statement or watch our video guide.

After you’ve applied

You should keep an eye on your application on UCAS ‘Track’. Offers from universities will appear on track and you will be able to accept or decline offers.

You can only reply when you have received all your decisions. The types of reply you can make are firm acceptance and insurance acceptance. Usually students reply in early May.

International Student?

If you are an international student, our International Student pages offer further information on applying.

As an international student applying to study one of our undergraduate programmes you can:

• apply via UCAS,
• or apply direct to Bangor through our online direct application system
• or apply with the help of one of our recruitment agents

Erasmus student?

We receive around 350 exchange students every year from all over the world. 45% of these students come from Europe and the remainder from as far as Singapore, South Korea and Australia.

The University’s International Exchanges Office is responsible for welcoming these students.

Confused about your next steps?

Take a look at our Going to University website for information and advice on getting ready for university.