Film and Media BA Honours
Newcastle University Undergraduate programs
Key Information
Campus location
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 21,600 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* international students; GBP 9,250 - home students
Introduction
This creative, innovative and diverse Film and Media degree equips you with practical skills and academic knowledge so you're ready to take the next steps in the media and cultural sectors.
Our three-year Film and Media degree focuses on developing your practical skills in documentary filmmaking alongside an understanding of journalism practice. You’ll also explore media and cultural studies, so you graduate ready for your role in the industry.
Your degree is led by our experienced academics and award-winning filmmakers. You will develop a range of professional skills to prepare you for your future, such as:
- documentary film-making skills
- writing and multimedia practice for journalism
- critical reflection and essay-writing skills
- online communication and media analysis
You will become a sophisticated, creative and confident documentary filmmaker, able to contextualise your own film practice within media, journalism and creative industries.
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You can choose the student exchange module in your second year. This will allow you to spend the first semester of the second year on a student exchange.
Work placement
Get career ready with work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. Placements are subject to availability.
Rankings
- 8th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2023 (Communication and Media Studies category)
- Global Top 125 University - QS World University Rankings 2023
- Top 150 for Communication and Media Studies - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 7th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 (Communications and Media Studies category)
- 1st in the UK and 8th in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022
- Top 150 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- Global Top 140 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Curriculum
Stage 1
You are introduced to documentary filmmaking as a field of academic study and will become comfortable with camera, audio, and editing technology. You'll undertake a range of documentary filmmaking exercises, complemented by a screening-based module exploring documentary film history.
You will choose from optional modules in media studies, social and cultural studies, or journalism. You will explore the role of media and culture in society and its impact on the formation of individual and group identity.
Compulsory Modules
- Introduction to Film Technologies 20
- Introduction to Scholarly Practice 20
- Starting out in Filmmaking 20
- Introduction to the Documentary: From documentation to non-fiction film 20
Optional Modules
- Introduction to Media Studies 20
- Introduction to Social and Cultural Studies 20
- Introduction to Journalism Practice 20
- Introduction to World Cinema: Ideas, Art, Cultures 20
- Journalism: Pasts, present and future 20
Stage 2
You build upon your filmmaking skills and undertake more complex and advanced filmmaking exercises.
You can also choose to explore issues, subjects, and themes within cultural studies in more depth, and investigate areas of journalism practices and media studies.
Compulsory Modules
- Work Experience: Find, Apply & Succeed 0
- Research Methods 20
- Popular Culture, Media & Identity 20
- Making a Short Documentary 20
- Analysing Documentary Practices 20
Optional Modules
- Film Theory for Practice 1: What is cinema? 20
- Film Theory for Practice 2: Why Cinema? 20
- Student Exchange: Semester 1 60
- Race, Culture and Identity 20
- Journalism Practice for Digital Audiences 20
- Sex, Sexuality and Desire 20
- Visual Culture 20
- Celebrity Culture 20
- Conflict and Crisis Reporting 20
- Cities in East Asian Cinema: Culture, History and Identity 20
You only take the following modules if you are studying abroad:
- Student Exchange: Semester 1
Stage 3
You have the option of a full-year dissertation documentary practice project produced by a crew or an individual written dissertation. These are opportunities to explore ideas and interests, as well as demonstrate the film-making and research skills you've developed over the first two years of the degree.
You also continue to take options in cultural and media studies, or modules from further across the University.
Optional Modules
- Enterprise and Entrepreneurship with Lean Innovation 20
- Race, Culture and Identity 20
- Sex, Sexuality and Desire 20
- Visual Culture 20
- Celebrity Culture 20
- Youth, Identity and Contemporary Media 20
- Memory Matters: Mediating Present Pasts for the Future 20
- Entering the Filmscape: Working as a Film Professional 20
- Storytelling and Collective Psychology 20
- Religion and Recent US Film 20
- Advertising and Consumption 20
- Media Research Dissertation 40
- Power, Politics and Communication 20
- Feminist Approaches to Media Analysis 20
- Film Practice Project 40
- Digital Discourses and Identity 20
- Cities in East Asian Cinema: Culture, History and Identity 20
Student Testimonials
Career Opportunities
Recent graduates have gone on to positions in a variety of areas of the creative industries.
Graduates have taken roles with major media and creative agencies, independent documentary production companies and film industry support companies, as well as continuing with related postgraduate education.
Build your network
You will have opportunities to build your knowledge and networks in the film industry through learning led by industry guests.
These include established and emerging film directors and producers, cinematographers and editors, as well as impact producers from organisations such as:
- Northern Film and Media
- Doc Society
- Scottish Documentary Institute
- Tyneside Cinema
- Sheffield Doc/Fest
- Amber Collective
Admissions
Gallery
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program Tuition Fee
Program delivery
You are taught through lectures, seminars, workshops, and screening-based classes. However, importantly, you learn documentary film-making and journalism practice skills by doing – undertaking a wide variety of exercises and practical tasks.