This is an archived page and for reference purposes only
What do we mean by ‘culture’ and why are its many forms so hotly contested? Why is it so important to our sense of identity and belonging? Cultural Studies at Kent is an innovative subject with distinctive perspectives on all forms of present day culture. We explore connections between popular culture, the arts and everyday life by crossing social sciences/humanities boundaries.
Overview
Film at Kent engages with cinema’s rich scope and history, from silent classics and mainstream Hollywood to world cinema and the avant-garde. We have a thriving film culture, with the Gulbenkian Cinema (the regional art cinema) based on campus and a lively student film society.
Discussions of film arise across a wide range of topics in Cultural Studies. This programme gives you access to Film modules not available on other Cultural Studies programmes; this will widen your understanding of film, the history of cinema and the perspectives of specific directors and genres.
In 2014, the University opened a new 62-seat cinema named after the pioneering female film director Ida Lupino, which students can enjoy as part of their experience during their studies. The Lupino has state-of-the-art digital projection and sound, and has been created to provide an intimate atmosphere for film viewing.
Think Kent video series
In this talk, Dr Carolyn Pedwell grapples with two central questions: firstly, how can we think more critically about the contemporary political workings of empathy? and secondly, how might we understand the complex links between empathy and transnational relations of power?
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, Sociology* was ranked 10th in the UK for student satisfaction while Kent was ranked 6th for student satisfaction in Cinematics and Photography.
Kent was ranked 3rd for Film and 6th for Sociology in The Guardian University Guide 2016.
*Cultural Studies is included in Sociology for the purposes of the National Student Survey.
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.
Year abroad
Teaching and assessment
Cultural Studies
We use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, case study analysis, group projects and presentations, and individual and group tutorials. Many module convenors also offer additional ‘clinic’ hours to help with the preparation of coursework and for exams.
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
School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research graduates are adaptable and flexible in their thinking and approach tasks in a rigorous, ethical, yet creative and reflective fashion. They develop key transferable skills including: communication, organisational and research skills; the ability to analyse complex information and make it accessible to non-specialist readers, write reports and use data analysis computer programs, and can take on positions of leadership in addition to working effectively and considerately in teams. These skills and attributes are valued in a wide range of professions.
The School has excellent links with local outside agencies, such as the probation and youth justice services, the police and social services.
Cultural Studies graduates work 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
Studying Film, you learn to think critically and work independently; your communication skills improve and you learn to express your opinions persuasively, both in writing and orally. These key skills are essential for graduates as they move into the employment market.
Recent graduates have gone on to careers in film-making, film journalism, film and television industries, arts organisations, university and school teaching, and roles in marketing and distribution. Others have chosen to pursue postgraduate academic and practical film courses.
If you choose to take the Year Abroad option you will further increase your portfolio of skills by gaining experience of living and studying in a different culture. You will learn to appreciate and assess different approaches to cultural studies and film giving you a uniquely global perspective.
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 | BBB |
| 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) | Distinction, Distinction, Merit. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 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
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
UK/EU/International students on an approved Year Abroad for the full 2016/17 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Those on an approved Year in Industry pay an annual fee of £865 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
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 the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.