BA Film & Theatre

The Department of Film, Theatre and Television is a dynamic and creative Department which has been leading its field for over four decades. Not only did we pioneer the teaching of film studies in British Higher Education but we also have an established world-leading reputation in theatre, television and film research. If you are looking for a degree that innovatively combines critical understanding with practical skills, our BA in Film and Theatre is the course for you.

Students choose to study with us because of the flexibility of our courses, our strong tradition of linking rigorous critical thinking with practice, and the opportunity to develop new technical skills in theatre, film and television. The Department empowers you to explore film and theatre throughout your degree or focus more on one by your third year. This gives you the opportunity to review your options as you progress. You can also choose to pursue your critical thinking through a practical project in your second and third years or in a dissertation on a topic of your choice. By including television in your studies, you can extend the range of your knowledge and practical experience. Above all, we support our students. By the end of the first year, you will be confident enough in your knowledge of film, theatre and television to decide how to balance your degree. We provide you with the space to learn new skills, and with the rare opportunity to work on your own practical project from the second year onwards, to be taught how to craft your critical ideas under the watchful eye of experienced staff and with the support of dedicated technicians. We also pride ourselves on being a small and friendly department. You will get to know everyone very quickly, especially by getting involved in the many film, theatre and television projects directed by students from other year groups as part of their degree. Not only is this a great opportunity to meet other students from the course but it is also a chance for you to get an insight into the kinds of projects you might undertake yourself later in the course.

Year 1

Introduction to Film & Theatre
Critical Practice
Introduction to Television Studies (optional)

Year 2

Performance and Nation
Hollywood and Beyond
Alternative Forms
Practical Film, Theatre or Television, or Independent written project
Careers Management Skills

Final Year

Independent Practical Project in Film, Theatre or Television, or Dissertation
In the final year, students choose from a range of options, which vary in response to student demand and developments in theatre, film and television research. Recent examples include:

Chinese Theatre
Contemporary documentary
Contemporary Television drama
Film, Style & Technology
Japanese theatre
Physical Theatre
Popular Film Genres (science fiction and cinema)
Polish fim & theatre
Storytelling in Film
Theatre, performance and modernism
The director and the theatre

Further details about these modules are available on the departmental website.