This is an archived page and for reference purposes only
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. We have a thriving film culture, with 10-20 films screened on our courses each week, the Gulbenkian Cinema (the regional arts cinema) based on campus and a lively student film society.
Overview
Our modules cover film theory, history and practice, from the basics of form and style at Stage 1 to exploring topics including national cinemas, animation, cognition and emotion, fantasy and pulp film. Academic modules can be combined with innovative and creative practical study, including modules such as film criticism.
Classical and Archaeological Studies offers links to a varied range of subjects as it includes – literature, mythology, drama, archaeology, art and architecture, history, languages and philosophy – and the way they all connect in the study of ancient civilisations, including those of Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire.
At Kent, you can do elements from all these areas inside one programme if you want to, or you can follow a more specialised pathway, in literature, history or archaeology. You also have the opportunity to learn Latin or Ancient Greek, which are taught at beginners, intermediate and advanced level. Much of European civilisation grew out of the classical world so it is not surprising that it is still highly relevant today. Canterbury, as a late Iron Age settlement, a Romano-British city, an Anglo-Saxon town, and a centre of early Christianity, is a good base for studying different cultures, with visits to local sites and museums as well as London museums and opportunities for archaeological fieldwork both locally and further afield.
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.
Independent rankings
Classics and Ancient History ranked 7th overall in The Guardian University Guide 2017. In the National Student Survey 2015, Archaeology and Classics were ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction.
Cinematics and Photography at Kent was ranked 6th for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2015. Kent was also ranked 3rd for Film in The Guardian University Guide 2016.
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
Film
All modules involve lectures, small group seminars and film screenings (where relevant). Depending on the modules you select, assessment varies from 100% coursework (extended essays or dissertation), to a combination of examination and coursework.
Classical & Archaeological Studies
All modules have a weekly seminar, and most also have weekly lectures. Archaeology modules sometimes include museum and site visits. We encourage students to take part in excavations and surveys with staff and associated institutions, and student bursaries are available to support this.
Assessment at all stages varies from 100% coursework to a combination of examination and coursework.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- produce graduates with an informed, critical, analytical and creative approach to understanding film as a cultural, aesthetic expressive media and meet the challenges of employment
- widen participation in higher education irrespective of race, background, gender, and physical disability from within the UK and overseas
- develop teaching skills in response to the advance of research and scholarship and new developments in film
- encourage students’ critical, analytical and creative skills in relation to film and, where taken, in relation to screen production
- encourage students to think independently and flexibly
- instil an awareness of, and sensitivity to, the contexts of production and consumption of film
- enhance skills of interpersonal interaction both individually and in group work.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the historical evolution of particular genres and aesthetic traditions in film
- the ways in which critical and cultural theories and concepts have developed within particular contexts
- the cultural and social contexts that affect the meaning of film works
- aesthetic judgement
- the diversity of film forms
- conceptualisations of pleasure and identification in film
- narrative processes
- modes of representation
- film conventions
- the ways in which different social groups may relate to, and interact with, film works.
Intellectual skills
You gain the following intellectual abilities:
- engage critically with major thinkers, debates, intellectual paradigms, and scholarly literature within the field
- understand forms of film as they have emerged historically
- examine the historical, social and cultural contexts of such forms
- analyse, interpret and undertake critical evaluation
- critically reflect upon your own work
- research essays, projects, creative productions or dissertations involving sustained independent enquiry
- formulate appropriate research questions and employ appropriate methods and resources to explore those questions
- evaluate and draw upon the range of sources and the conceptual frameworks appropriate to research in the chosen area
- draw and reflect upon the relevance and impact of your own cultural assumptions to the practice of research.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- analyse and interpret sounds and images in time and space
- an understanding and knowledge of narrative and stylistic forms and structures in film and television
- the ability to draw upon and collate ideas from different sources of knowledge and academic disciplines
- knowledge of how to articulate understanding of visual and oral media in a written medium
- effectively utilise terms and concepts specific to the study of film and television.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- the ability to work flexibly, creatively and independently, displaying self-discipline and self-direction, organise and manage supervised and self-directed projects and research
- communicate effectively and appropriately, orally and in writing and, where undertaken, in other media
- the ability to identify issues, questions and gather, organise and deploy ideas and knowledge to formulate analysis and arguments cogently, make subtle and discriminating comparisons and apply interpretive skills in diverse situations and contexts
- work productively in a group, with the ability to listen, contribute and lead effectively
- understanding and knowledge of the social and ethical issues surrounding contemporary communications, media, culture and society
- the ability to effectively use IT skills, such as word-processing, using the internet and, where undertaken, digital technology.
Careers
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.
Classical & Archaeological Studies
Classical and Archaeological studies students go onto a wide range of careers, so here at Kent we try to provide a wide variety of careers and employability support and guidance. A number of work placements for Classics and Archaeology students have been set up as part of the new Classics Internship module in this subject area. These include placements at Dover Museum, County Hall, Brentwood Cathedral and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Possible careers include archaeology, the heritage industry, museums, business, journalism, Civil Service, computing, media, librarianship, teaching, further academic study, general ‘arts degree’ employment requiring literacy and versatility.
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 |
| 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
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 | ||
| Part-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
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.