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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.
The University has a 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
Sociology* at Kent was ranked 11th in The Times Good University Guide 2019 and 15th in The Complete University Guide 2019.
In The Guardian University Guide 2019, over 97% of final-year Media and Film Studies students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course.
Of Sociology students who graduated from Kent in 2017 and completed a national survey, over 93% of were in work or further study within six months (DLHE).
*Cultural Studies is included in Sociology.
Teaching Excellence Framework
All University of Kent courses are regulated by the Office for Students.
Based on the evidence available, the TEF Panel judged that the University of Kent delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It is of the highest quality found in the UK.
Please see the University of Kent's Statement of Findings for more information.
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.
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.
Contact Hours
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
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 express 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
Our graduates work in advertising and design, journalism,
broadcasting, film-making, teaching, arts organisations, marketing and
distribution, publishing, public relations, research, information
services, leisure industry management, tourism and heritage, personnel,
local government, and the organisation of social and community projects.
Others have chosen to pursue postgraduate academic and practical
courses.
On this programme, you develop key transferable skills including organisational and research skills; expressing your opinions orally and in writing; the ability to analyse complex information and make it accessible to non-specialist readers, write reports and use data analysis computer programs.
These key skills are essential for graduates as they move into the employment market.
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 us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need 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 welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
However, please note that international fee-paying students cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advice about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
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. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2019/20 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.
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.*
Your fee status
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
Scholarships
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.
The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either mathematics or a modern foreign language. Please review the eligibility criteria.