BA Film & Theatre
-
UCAS code
W480 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2022/23 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2022/23 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
COVID-19 update
Study BA Film and Theatre and pursue your passion for film and theatre in a course that combines critical approaches and the opportunity to create films and performances.
Drawing from the same varied and creative options offered on BA Film and BA Theatre, this course allows you to combine your study of theatre and film, and includes the opportunity to engage with television, enabling you to specialise in line with your developing expertise and interests. You will experience all three mediums through practice, and be given a variety of opportunities to collaborate in the production of films, television programmes or theatre performances. You will also have the option of following a critical-only route.
Your first year will introduce you to the breadth of film and theatre, giving you a grounding in the histories and critical frameworks that inform each medium. You will begin to develop a range of academic and practical skills (for both film and theatre) that will prove invaluable throughout the degree and beyond.
For example, you will have the opportunity to watch, interpret and debate a wide range of film and television, including documentary, Soviet cinema and the work of Alfred Hitchcock. You will also explore a variety of 'channels of communication', and be introduced to work across Chinese, Greek, Shakespearean and Noh theatre. We provide you with a thorough understanding of theatre conventions in order that your own experiments can have an even stronger impact. Throughout your first-year practical work, you will explore how theatre, film and television have been effected by different social and historical contexts, developing your responses to this in group-based projects.
The second year of the degree will examine work within and beyond classical and conventional narrative traditions from both theoretical and practical perspectives. This enables you to understand the application of theory and how it impacts the creative process. Optional modules allow you to investigate a variety of areas in detail, from nationhood and identity in performance to genre and authorship in Hollywood – as well as avant-garde, political and radical work from across the worlds of theatre and film. Throughout this you will engage with group-based practical work in either theatre or film/television, which develops your ability to creatively respond to different movements, practitioners and historical periods, and allows you to develop your own storytelling and practical skills.
The final year presents you with the choice to diversify your focus or further develop your knowledge in your chosen specialism. These modules are based around our academics’ current world-leading research and are all discussion-based, allowing you to rigorously engage with cutting-edge thought. Your practical work across the degree now culminates in either a collaborative 10-minute film, a 40-minute theatre piece or a written dissertation.
This degree is designed with the interaction between theory and practical work at its core, giving you plenty of opportunities to develop both your critical and technical skills. You will be based in Minghella Studios, a purpose-built study environment that reflects the way in which we think about and teach film, theatre and television. Your practical work allows you to try out different production roles and develop a range of skills and techniques while also developing a strong academic knowledge of their histories and meanings.
A key benefit of studying at Reading is our close proximity to London – undoubtedly the UK’s premier hub for all things film and theatre. You will have numerous opportunities to visit theatres and see performances as part of your degree; London is only 30 minutes away by train, meaning it’s easy to see a show or visit one of its many independent cinemas in your own time. Please be aware theatre tickets and travel are additional costs for any theatre module and you should plan accordingly.
For more information, please visit the Film, Theatre & Television Department website.
Overview
Study BA Film and Theatre and pursue your passion for film and theatre in a course that combines critical approaches and the opportunity to create films and performances.
Drawing from the same varied and creative options offered on BA Film and BA Theatre, this course allows you to combine your study of theatre and film, and includes the opportunity to engage with television, enabling you to specialise in line with your developing expertise and interests. You will experience all three mediums through practice, and be given a variety of opportunities to collaborate in the production of films, television programmes or theatre performances. You will also have the option of following a critical-only route.
Your first year will introduce you to the breadth of film and theatre, giving you a grounding in the histories and critical frameworks that inform each medium. You will begin to develop a range of academic and practical skills (for both film and theatre) that will prove invaluable throughout the degree and beyond.
For example, you will have the opportunity to watch, interpret and debate a wide range of film and television, including documentary, Soviet cinema and the work of Alfred Hitchcock. You will also explore a variety of 'channels of communication', and be introduced to work across Chinese, Greek, Shakespearean and Noh theatre. We provide you with a thorough understanding of theatre conventions in order that your own experiments can have an even stronger impact. Throughout your first-year practical work, you will explore how theatre, film and television have been effected by different social and historical contexts, developing your responses to this in group-based projects.
The second year of the degree will examine work within and beyond classical and conventional narrative traditions from both theoretical and practical perspectives. This enables you to understand the application of theory and how it impacts the creative process. Optional modules allow you to investigate a variety of areas in detail, from nationhood and identity in performance to genre and authorship in Hollywood – as well as avant-garde, political and radical work from across the worlds of theatre and film. Throughout this you will engage with group-based practical work in either theatre or film/television, which develops your ability to creatively respond to different movements, practitioners and historical periods, and allows you to develop your own storytelling and practical skills.
The final year presents you with the choice to diversify your focus or further develop your knowledge in your chosen specialism. These modules are based around our academics’ current world-leading research and are all discussion-based, allowing you to rigorously engage with cutting-edge thought. Your practical work across the degree now culminates in either a collaborative 10-minute film, a 40-minute theatre piece or a written dissertation.
This degree is designed with the interaction between theory and practical work at its core, giving you plenty of opportunities to develop both your critical and technical skills. You will be based in Minghella Studios, a purpose-built study environment that reflects the way in which we think about and teach film, theatre and television. Your practical work allows you to try out different production roles and develop a range of skills and techniques while also developing a strong academic knowledge of their histories and meanings.
A key benefit of studying at Reading is our close proximity to London – undoubtedly the UK’s premier hub for all things film and theatre. You will have numerous opportunities to visit theatres and see performances as part of your degree; London is only 30 minutes away by train, meaning it’s easy to see a show or visit one of its many independent cinemas in your own time. Please be aware theatre tickets and travel are additional costs for any theatre module and you should plan accordingly.
For more information, please visit the Film, Theatre & Television Department website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Typical offer
BBB
All suitable applicants will be interviewed.
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FT1ATF | Approaches to Film | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT1ATP | Analysing Theatre and Performance | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT1ATT | Approaches to Television | DR Faye Woods |
FT1DP | Devising Performance: Politics and Citizenship | DR Lisa Woynarski |
FT1ITF | Introduction to Filmmaking | MS Shweta Ghosh |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FT1CSS | Comedy on Stage and Screen | DR Simone Knox |
FT1EN | English for Arts and Communication Design | MS Emily Salvesen |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1RH | Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
FA1MM | Modernisms & Mythologies | DR James Hellings |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MS Joan McCormack |
LS1ELS | English Language and Society | DR Christiana Themistocleous |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | DR George Mason |
TY1HGC | History of Graphic Communication | DR Rob Banham |
TY1PRI | Printing and printmaking | DR Rob Banham |
TY1WTF | What the font? Making and using typefaces | DR Matthew Lickiss |
TY1WTF10 | What the font? Making and using typefaces (10 credits) | DR Matthew Lickiss |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FT2ACR | Academic Research Skills (20 Credits) | DR Sarah Bartley |
FT2CCP | Community and Collaborative Practice | DR Sarah Bartley |
FT2CSP | Creative Screen Practice | DR Dominic Lees |
FT2EE | Extended Essay | DR Tonia Kazakopoulou |
FT2FFC | Film Forms and Cultures | DR David Foster |
FT2IPC | Identity, Performance and Culture | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT2PE10 | Placements and Employment Skills (Ten Credits) | DR Lucy Tyler |
FT2PE20 | Placements and Employment Skills (Twenty Credits) | DR Lucy Tyler |
FT2PS | Performance Skills: Acting and Directing | DR Lisa Woynarski |
FT2SSC | Screen Storytelling and Criticism | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT2SSCB | Screen Storytelling and Criticism B | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT2TCC | Television and Contemporary Culture | DR Faye Woods |
FT2WD | Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation | DR Adam O'Brien |
AR2F17 | Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis | PROF Mary Lewis |
AR2M8 | Medieval Europe: power, religion and death | DR Gabor Thomas |
CL2AE | Ancient Epic | DR Christa Gray |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Timothy Duff |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
IL2GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | |
IL2GMB | Modern Britain Society, History and Politics | |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
ML2GF | Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature | DR Alice Christensen |
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Veronica Heath |
MM2101 | Founder Dilemmas | DR Norbert Morawetz |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Mark Shanahan |
PO2GPH | Global Politics and History | DR Kerry Goettlich |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Brandon Beomseob Park |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | MISS Michela Bariselli |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | DR Charlotte Newey |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FT3AD | Adaptations across Stage and Screen | DR Sarah Bartley |
FT3AFP | Advanced Filmmaking Project | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT3ATMP | Advanced Theatre Making Project | |
FT3CAS | Cities on Screen | DR Faye Woods |
FT3CD | Contemporary Documentary | MR James Kenward-Abdollahyan |
FT3CST | Cinema, Spectacle and Technology | PROF Lisa Purse |
FT3DISS | Dissertation: Film & Theatre | DR David Foster |
FT3IAA | Identity, Agency, Advocacy: Diversity and Representation in Film, Television and Theatre | DR Lisa Woynarski |
FT3IE | Independent Essay | |
FT3PAR | Practice as Research Project | PROF Teresa Murjas |
FT3PD | Performance & Design: Site, Scenography and Installation | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT3PL20 | Work Placements and Profiles (20 Credits) | DR Lucy Tyler |
FT3SSS | Scriptwriting for Stage and Screen | |
FT3TFW | Television: Exploring Fictional Worlds | |
FT3WCC | World Cinema: Creative Peaks | MR Mark Player |
FB3LNPA | Lifestyle, Nutrigenetics and Personalised Nutrition | DR Vimal Karani |
GV3CC | Climate Change | PROF Maria Shahgedanova |
GV3ESM | Ecosystems Modelling | DR Shovonlal Roy |
GV3TRC | Tropical Rainforests, Climate & Lost Civilisations | PROF Frank Mayle |
LS3IC | Intercultural Communications | DR Erhan Aslan |
LW3CRY | Criminology | PROFESSOR Jo Phoenix |
ML3IC | Identity and Conflict in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML3LP | Language and Power | MR Federico Faloppa |
MM302 | Entrepreneurial Project | MR Keith Heron |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | DR Maxime Lepoutre |
PO3GAP | Gender and Politics | DR Rose De Geus |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*
New international students: £20,300
* UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
94% of leavers are in work and/or study 15 months after the end of their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19; First Degree responders from Film, Theatre & Television).
Our flexible degrees are designed to develop the confidence and skills valued by both creative and commercial industries, providing you with a diverse range of career opportunities following graduation.
Our degrees are designed to develop the skills valued by both creative and commercial industries, providing you with a wide range of career opportunities following graduation.
Careers learning, an emphasis on professional skills, and work-based modules are built into the course to prepare you for your future career.
Many of our alumni work in the creative industries and their roles include the following:
- theatre directors
- actors
- playwrights
- film producers and directors
- visual FX experts
- cinematographers
- television producers
- critics
Graduates also go on to work in:
- commercial marketing and media
- advertising
- journalism
- teaching