This is an archived page and for reference purposes only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.
Film in Religious Studies is a developing area of study, and Kent has experts in the field such as Dr Chris Deacy who has numerous publications in this area. Religious Studies at Kent allows you to study religiosity and popular culture via various mediums such as literature, sociological study, and of course film.
Religious Studies also offers a range of other modules, from biblical study, Hinduism and Buddhism, and Globalisation and religion to name but a few. Religious Studies also has a student-led Religious Studies society which meets regularly to hold debates, film nights, and social events.
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.
Religious Studies at Kent was ranked 8th overall in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2016, a rise of eight places from last year; in the National Student Survey 2015 91% of our students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course.
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.
Religious Studies
You are usually taught in small groups, with most modules involving either two or three hours per week in class, plus individual consultations with teachers as well as sessions on computing and library skills.
Stage 1 modules are normally assessed by 100% coursework. At Stages 2 and 3, some modules are assessed by 100% coursework (such as essays), others by a combination of formal examination and coursework.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- produce graduates with an informed, critical, analytical and creative approach to understanding film as cultural and aesthetic expressive media
- develop students' creative, intellectual, analytical and research skills
- 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
- develop students' knowledge and skills in film studies
- encourage students' critical, analytical and creative skills in relation to film study and, where undertaken, in relation to screen production
- develop students' ability to think independently and flexibly
- enhance awareness of, and sensitivity to, the contexts of production and consumption of film
- develop students' interpersonal skills and interaction and their reflexiveness in individual and group work.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the different genres and the diversity of film forms
- the historical evolution of particular genres, aesthetic traditions and film 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
- 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, engage with and interact with film works.
Intellectual skills
You gain intellectual abilities in the following:
- 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, interpret, and undertaking critical evaluation
- critically reflecting upon your own work
- carrying out various forms of research for essays, projects, creative productions or dissertations involving sustained independent enquiry
- formulating apposite research questions and employing appropriate methods and resources to explore them
- evaluating and drawing upon the range of sources and the conceptual frameworks appropriate to research in a chosen area
- drawing and reflecting upon the relevance and impact of your own cultural assumptions to the practice of research.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in how to:
- analyse and interpret sounds and images in time and space
- draw upon understanding and knowledge of narrative and stylistic forms and structures in film and television
- bring together ideas from various sources of knowledge and different academic disciplines
- articulate understanding of visual and oral media in a written medium
- effectively deploy terms and concepts specific to the study of film and television
- (where practice modules are undertaken) produce work which demonstrates the effective manipulation of sound, image, performance and, where appropriate, the written word
- utilise effectively relevant technical concepts and theories
- produce work showing competence in the operational skills of screen production and post-production technologies
- initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative work through group collaboration
- manage time, personnel and resources effectively
- demonstrate an understanding of communicative strategies specific to film
- produce work informed by, and contextualised within, relevant theoretical debates you have studied within the programme as a whole.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- working in flexible, creative and independent ways, showinging self-discipline, including time management and self-direction, sustaining focus and applying attention to detail
- organising and managing supervised, self-directed projects, and 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
- identifying issues and questions, and gathering, organising and deploying knowledge and ideas to formulate cogent analysis and arguments, making subtle and discriminating comparisons and applying interpretive skills in diverse situations and contexts
- working productively in a group, and displaying an ability, 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
- information technology, including (where undertaken) 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.
Religious Studies
Staff and students within the Religious Studies Department also have an excellent track record of a range of research and consultancy activities with leading international and national organisations, including the United Nations, the British Museum, the British Council and the National Union of Students. This means that people involved in teaching you have a very clear idea of what it means to think about religion in a way that is relevant to organisations outside of the academic world.
As a result of the breadth of the training experience you get through taking a degree in Religious Studies, we find that our graduates go on to a wide range of professions including human resources, journalism and media, law, marketing and public relations, social work, teaching, and work in the voluntary sector. Many students go onto further study; a Masters or PhD in various subjects, PGCEs, and the Graduate Diploma in Law.
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 | AAB |
| 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.