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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.
Drama at Kent is taught by leading performance practitioners and lecturers from all around the world. Our range of industry-standard facilities include studios, performance spaces and workshops.
There is a diverse array of exciting modules to choose from that incorporate a distinctive balance of practical and theoretical elements. This allows you to develop the skills and vision needed for employment in the creative industries and beyond. Consequently, our Drama and Theatre courses are among the most popular in the country with strong National Student Survey results every year.
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
In the National Student Survey 2015, Kent was ranked 6th for student satisfaction in Cinematics and Photography. Kent was also ranked 3rd for Film in The Guardian University Guide 2016.
In the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey*, 90% of Drama students at Kent had found employment or gone on to further study within six months of graduating in 2014.
*conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
Drama and Dance at Kent was ranked 10th in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2016, and Drama, Dance and Cinematics was ranked 11th in The Complete 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.
Drama
Teaching is through workshops, seminars, lectures and practical projects. Drama and Theatre modules are continuously assessed based on coursework, projects and presentations, performances, essays and dissertations.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- produce graduates who have an informed, critical, analytical and creative approach to understanding film as a cultural and aesthetic expressive medium
- develop existing and new areas of teaching in response to the advance of research and scholarship within the subject as well as new developments in film
- provide students with knowledge and skills in film studies
- develop students’ critical, analytical and creative skills in relation to film study
- develop students’ ability to think independently and flexibly
- develop students’ awareness of and sensitivity to the contexts of production and consumption of film
- enhance students’ skills of interpersonal interaction and develop their reflexiveness across both individual and group work.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- particular forms of film and the way in which they organise understanding, meanings and affects
- the historical evolution of particular genres, aesthetic traditions and forms
- the ways in which critical and cultural theories and concepts have developed within particular contexts
- the cultural and social contexts which affect the meaning of film works
- aesthetic judgement
- the diversity of both film forms
- conceptualisations of pleasure and identification in film
- narrative processes in film
- modes of representation at work in film
- film conventions
- the ways in which different social groups may relate to and interact with film works
- the ways in which people engage with film practices and make meaning from them.
Intellectual skills
You develop the following intellectual skills:
- engaging critically with major thinkers, debates, intellectual paradigms, and scholarly literature within the field
- understanding forms of film as they have emerged historically
- examining the historical, social and cultural contexts of such forms
- analysing closely, interpreting and undertaking critical evaluation
- critically reflecting upon their work
- carrying out various forms of research for essays, projects, creative productions or dissertation involving sustained independent enquiry
- formulating appropriate research questions and employing appropriate methods and resources for exploring those questions
- evaluating and drawing upon the range of sources and the conceptual frameworks appropriate to research in the chosen area
- drawing and reflecting upon the relevance and impact of your cultural assumptions to the practice of research.
Subject-specific skills
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
- analysing and interpreting sounds and images in time and space
- drawing upon understanding and knowledge of narrative and stylistic forms and structures in film
- drawing upon and bringing together ideas from different sources of knowledge and from different academic disciplines
- articulating an understanding of visual and oral media in a written medium
- effectively deploying terms and concepts specific to the study of film.
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
- effective communication both orally and in writing and, where undertaken, in other media
- identifying issues and questions and gather, organise and deploy ideas and knowledge in order to formulate analysis and arguments cogently
- making subtle and discriminating comparisons
- applying interpretive skills in diverse situations and contexts.
- 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
- IT skills and, where undertaken, skills in digital technology in relation to practice.
Careers
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.
Drama
The Department has developed partnerships with some of the major players in theatre in the UK including: Battersea Arts Centre, the RSC and The Gate. Selected programmes offer you the opportunity to go on work placements which can lead to future full-time employment, while the range of modules we offer ensures you develop key skills such as planning and organisation, teamworking, adaptability and leadership.
Past graduates have become theatre producers, actors, literary managers, journalists, authors, directors, performers, scriptwriters for television, stand-up comedians, casting agents, event managers, arts administrators, community theatre officers for local councils, drama teachers, and many have gone on to postgraduate study. We also support past students to set up companies and remain in Kent with the Graduate Theatre Scheme.
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 including Visual Arts 5 at HL or 6 at SL where taken |
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
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.