Film and Media BA (Hons)

Study film and the fascinating world of the media. Apply critical thinking and analysis and develop the transferable skills of problem solving, communication and presentation. Combine academic research with practical application, developing the talents to join an exciting and ever-changing industry.

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Course overview

Love film and all aspects of media? Study both in tandem.

This distinctive course offers a rich and diverse range of exciting subjects. Study film and media theory alongside practical-based modules in film production. You’ll cover the historical contexts and contemporary debates in film, media and cultural studies, exploring and examining areas including film theory and analysis, screen genres, scriptwriting, the study of mass media, and cultural representation.

Work with established research-active academics at the Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies and study alongside scriptwriters, film makers, and media practitioners. Share, discuss, challenge and explore your passion for film, TV and other aspects of the media with like-minded people!

Why us?

Masterclasses from BAFTA-winning and Oscar-winning film producers, writers and other experts
Get experience. Take a work placement; get involved with award-winning Spark Sunderland; write for Sunderland’s daily paper, the Sunderland Echo; or work alongside BBC Newcastle journalists in our mediaHUB

The course prepares students for a wide range of careers and provides an excellent foundation for masters level study and postgraduate research

Join our creative community: @SunderlandCreative #WeAreCreative

Course structure

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work and e-learning. We encourage you to develop independent study skills.

As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also ongoing assessments for feedback and consolidating your learning.

Assessment methods include essays, reports, written coursework, projects, presentations and exams.

Part-time study

If you study this course on a part-time basis you will typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the day time and you will be studying alongside full-time students.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Introduction to Media and Cultural Studies (20 credits)
Introduction to Film Studies (20 credits)
History of Cinema (20 credits)
Contemporary Cinema (20 credits)
Scriptwriting (20 credits)
Production Skills (20 credits)

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Media Studies 1 (20 credits)
Film Theory and Criticism (20 credits)
Film and Society (20 credits)
Animated Film (20 credits)

Optional modules (choose 2):

Screenwriting (20 credits)
Shoot Edit Share (20 credits)
Cultural Theory and Popular Culture 1 (20 credits)
Media in Everyday Lives (20 credits)
Academic Research Skills (20 credits)

Final year (national level 6):

Choose either:

Dissertation (40 credits), or:
Practical Project: Scriptwriting (40 credits)

Optional modules (choose up to four):

Film Studies Special Topic (20 credits)
Film and Feeling: Music, Performance, Genre (20 credits)
Film, Horror and The Body (20 credits)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Television (20 credits)
Popular Music Cultures (20 credits)
Media Studies 2 (20 credits)

More about BA (Hons) Film and Media at Sunderland

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Get hands-on in our two broadcast-quality production studios complete with green room and changing facilities. Access four Steadicam rigs plus dolly, track and mini crane.

Our field camera systems comprises Blackmagic Ursa, Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro, Blackmagic 4K Cinema Camera, Blackmagic 6k Pocket Cinema Camera and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, with associated location kits, lighting, field monitors and audio mixers.
Film facilities
The library is your gateway to information resources and services both on and off campus, all through a single search box. We have digital resources and support tailored for your course including Box of Broadcasts (BoB) an on-demand TV and radio streaming service; Kanopy to access films; and a collection of DVDs for you to borrow, you're welcome to film in the library too. See the media key resources for more information.

Access 1400 study places, including quiet and silent zones, 300+ PCs, group work hubs, online module reading lists and study skills support, all in our quality learning environments. You’ll have full use of two libraries, both with extensive opening hours. And ‘Live Chat’ enables you to access library support and help, from anywhere, 24/7.

We’re much more than a library, the University Library and Study Skills team are on hand to guide you throughout your studies on and off campus from embedded skills sessions, digital skills support to one-to-one and drop-in advice on research and academic skills.
Library support for Media
We have four journalism suites, each with Apple Mac workstations with industry-standard software including NewsCutter, Burli and ENPS.

Our mediaHUB, a bustling newsroom and home to a team of BBC Newcastle journalists, is responsible for our suite of websites and provides a variety of experiences. Made in Tyne & Wear are just downstairs, offering placements to students and jobs to several of our graduates.

Learn in our 203-seat cinema and 7.1 surround sound facility. Access two broadcast-quality production studios complete with green room and changing facilities and equipment such as Steadicam rigs, track and mini crane.

Go on-air in one of five radio studios, including a larger radio drama studio and a transmission suite for Spark, our award winning student-run community radio station.
Media facilities
The mediaHUB is a bustling multimedia newsroom on the top floor of our David Puttnam Media Centre where you will get a real taste of life as a working journalist or social media manager.

BBC Newcastle have a team of journalists based here, and they are joined by visiting journalists from organisations such as Trinity Mirror (Newcastle Chronicle, Journal) and Johnston Press (Sunderland Echo).

The mediaHUB runs websites and social media channels covering sport, news, entertainments and fashion, provides the content for news bulletins on our award-winning radio station¿Spark, and is responsible for writing and editing Spark magazine.

The ground-breaking workspace is designed to be a professional environment and even has a cloud filled sky line, funky colour scheme and a shed for a meeting room. It includes plenty of workstations each with industry-standard software including NewsCutter, Burli and ENPS, and a Sky feed with two 40” plasma screens. The whole space is managed by an ex-Sky Journalist, who is on hand with her team to point you in the right direction.
mediaHUB
Map and directions

Facilities

The David Puttnam Media Centre is a thriving place to study and experience media. Rub shoulders with BBC Newcastle and Made in Tyne & Wear, who are both based in the building. Volunteer with award winning Spark Sunderland, write for one of our suite of websites or edit Spark Magazine in our mediaHUB. Get hands on in TV and Radio Studios, Journalism and Digital editing suites. Learn from experts in this centre of excellence for training.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is

GPA 3.0 or above from High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade - SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at admissions@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language, or an equivalent qualification, for example; a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have studied for a new GCSE for which you will be awarded a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

If English is not your first language we will require an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an overall score of 6.0 and at least 5.5 or higher in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking. An alternative approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) can also be considered if the applicant's element scores are equivalent to those required for IELTS.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

£9,250 if you are from the UK / EU
£12,000 if you are an international student

The part-time fee for this course is £6,935 per 120 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.

If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

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This information was correct at the time of publication.

Student in the Sunderland Futures department

Career ready

Build transferable skills and gain experience, to get career ready. Open job opportunities such as teaching, consultancy, TV and film production, new media, marketing and research, PR, advertising and more.

Career destinations

Recent graduates from Sunderland have gained jobs with employers such as BBC (including Radio 1), Channel 4, Sky TV, MTV, The Guardian, I Daniel Blake, Capital North East, regional newspapers and PR companies.

You could choose to continue your studies on one of our Masters degrees such as MA Media Production (Film and Television) or MA Journalism.

Work placements

We actively encourage students to gain relevant work experience while at university. In every year of your course, you will be guided and encouraged to gain meaningful experience that will fit around your studies.

In Year 2 there is a work placement opportunity with a media organisation such as the BBC, Tyne Tees Television or one of the region’s production companies. You can also choose to undertake a number of practice modules that involve practical projects.

All students studying on-campus undergraduate media courses can take up a CV-enhancing work placement, a University-led industry initiative, or a professional and business development boot camp. By the term placement, we mean we are offering you a taste of the industry which might last anything from two days to four weeks on a part-time basis.

Practical experience

Many students get involved in Spark Sunderland, a community radio station based at the University. Students are responsible for all news-gathering, programme production and advertising. Spark has won many awards including four golds at the Student Radio Awards 2012, and holds the Nations and Regions Award for Best Radio Station in the North-East.

Work alongside BBC Newcastle Journalists in our mediaHUB, home to student-run websites covering sport, news, entertainment, fashion and Spark online magazine.

Sunderland's daily newspaper, The Sunderland Echo, has a weekly page called 'On Campus' that is written entirely by students at the University. It’s an opportunity to find and research your own stories, take photographs, meet deadlines and see your name in print.

Throughout the course, we invite guest speakers to run workshops and master classes that allow you to relate your learning to real-life opportunities.

Creative Industries Week

Creative Industries Week gives everyone in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits and career events. This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working, broadens your experience, to build your confidence and help develop your career path.

Meet the students

Sunderland was a game-changer for me!

Aaron Day
I’ve really been encouraged by the staff to find my own style.

James Corker

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries.

Page last updated: 12 May 2020

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