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It is often said that the world is changing more rapidly than at any other time in history, and the study of cultural transformation is key to achieving the ‘joined-up thinking’ society needs in the 21st century. Cultural Studies at Kent is a lively, innovative subject with distinctive perspectives on all forms of present day culture. We explore significant connections between popular culture, the arts and everyday life by crossing traditional social sciences/humanities boundaries.
Overview
For over 30 years, the University of Kent has been at the forefront of developing film studies as an academic subject. We are one of the three major universities in the UK for film studies, and one of the most highly regarded departments in Europe. Film at Kent engages with cinema's rich scope and history, from silent classics and mainstream Hollywood to world cinema and the avant-garde.
Independent rankings
Cultural Studies programmes offer the best opportunity to combine modules right across the social science and humanities faculties.
Kent was ranked 11th for Drama, Dance and Cinematics (which includes Film) in The Times Good University Guide 2013.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
Cultural Studies
Modules are taught by a cmbination of lectures and seminars and you can always consult the lecturers for individual advice outside of formal teaching. Additionally, a wide range of study skills sessions are available to all students throughout each year of study.
Coursework is continuously assessed at Stage 1, and this is combined with the results of exams, in most modules. At Stage 2/3, modules are assessed by a combination of essays (50%) and exams (50%). All single honours students and some joint honours students also have the opportunity to do a final-year dissertation on a chosen subject, which counts as one module (and does not involve an exam).
Film
All modules involve lectures, small group seminars and film screenings (where relevant). On average, you have two lectures and three hours of seminars each week, plus four to six hours film viewing.
Depending on the modules you select, assessment varies from 100% coursework (extended essays or dissertation), to a combination of examination and coursework.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- develop students' ability to undertake critical analysis in film and cultural Studies
- provide teaching informed by current research in the fields of film and culture
- provide a coherent, flexible and progressive curriculum which includes options from a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas, particularly in the study of film and culture
- provide broad knowledge of relevant concepts, debates and theoretical approaches in the study of film and culture
- develop students' awareness of, and sensitivity to, the contexts of production and consumption involved in film and culture
- provide opportunities for the development of personal, communication, research and other key skills appropriate to graduate employment in a range of cultural, media and education-related spheres, and for further research in the fields of film and cultural studies.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- aesthetic judgement
- particular forms of film and culture, including the way they organise understanding and meaning
- the historical evolution of particular genres, aesthetic traditions and forms
- cultural and social contexts that affect the meaning of film and television works
- conceptualisations of meaning, pleasure and identification in film and culture
- how the modes of production/consumption of film and cultural texts and products shape contemporary life
- the nature and impact of new technologies
- major theories of film and cultural studies.
Intellectual skills
You gain intellectual abilities in how to:
- analyse critically a wide range of film and cultural forms
- understand forms of film and culture as they have emerged historically
- clearly expression of your own ideas in oral and written presentations
- evaluate and draw upon sources and conceptual frameworks appropriate to research in relevant areas
- apply film, and cultural, theory to familiar and unfamiliar contexts, products and milieu
- draw and reflect upon the relevance and impact of your own cultural assumptions to the practice of research and evaluation.
Subject-specific skills
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
- conception and application of cross-disciplinary strategies of investigation of film and cultural issues, themes and topics
- drawing upon and bringing together ideas, knowledge of narrative and stylistic forms and structures in film and culture
- the ability to articulate understanding of visual and oral media in a written medium
- the ability to evaluate theoretical models and paradigms of cultural production, consumption and reception
- effectively deploying terms and concepts specific to the study of film and television
- the ability to integrate diverse sources of cultural information and produce new knowledge.
Transferable skills
You gain the following transferable skills:
- working in flexible, creative and independent ways, showing self-discipline, including time management, as well as self-direction and the ability to reflect on one’s own practices; sustaining focus and applying attention to detail; organising and managing supervised, self-directed projects; researching and evaluating sources in the process of carrying out independent study
- communicating effectively and appropriately orally and in writing, and (where undertaken) in other media
- working productively in a group or team, showing abilities at different times to listen, contribute and lead effectively
- showing insight in and understanding of the social and ethical issues surrounding contemporary communications, media, culture and society; demonstrating the ability to draw on this understanding and knowledge in your engagement and contribution to contemporary society as workers and citizens
- draw upon IT skills, including (where taken) skills in digital technology in relation to practice.
Careers
Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies provides a useful background for a wide range of careers. The skills you acquire, such as improved communication skills, the ability to work as part of a team and independently, the ability to analyse complex ideas and the confidence to offer your own innovative solutions, are all considered essential attributes by graduate employers. The programmes are especially good preparation for professional or postgraduate training in the media and cultural industries.
Our graduates take up careers in advertising and design, journalism, broadcasting, teaching, arts administration, publishing, public relations, research, information services, leisure industry management, tourism and heritage, personnel, local government, and the organisation of social and community projects.
Film
By studying Film, you learn to think critically and to work independently; your communication skills improve and you learn to express your opinions passionately and persuasively, both in writing and orally. These key transferable skills are essential for graduates as they move into the employment market.
Recent graduates have gone on to careers in film-making, film and television industries, arts organisations, university and school teaching, local government and business, or to pursue postgraduate academic and practical film courses. In the last few years, students have gone on to take up positions such as film journalists, film/TV archivists and roles in marketing and distribution.
For more information on the services Kent provides you to improve your career prospects visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB including Film, English LIterature, Politics, Media, Geography, Philosophy grade B where taken |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 points at HL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
As a guide only, the 2014/15 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Exceptions may apply. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to support eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Our 2014 financial support package includes a £6,500 cash bursary. Find out more about the support package, eligibility and terms and conditions on our fees and funding pages.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created a new scholarship, The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our funding pages.