Learn the language of film and discover its rich history at Kent, one of the three major universities for film in the UK.
For over 30 years, Kent has been at the forefront of developing film as an academic subject. Our expertise means that you have a wide choice of areas to discover. Explore film from its silent beginnings through to 3D CGI blockbusters, taking in avant-garde and international cinemas on your way, and find your own voice as a critic and a filmmaker.
Our degree is flexible: you study film theory but you also have the option to explore film practice – for example, through developing the skills of a film critic or getting involved in creative film production.
In the first year, you cover the language of film (framing, sound, editing, performance, lighting), learn about the theory and the history of film, and can take a practical filmmaking module. In your second and final years, you have a huge range of modules to choose from, covering everything from avant-garde to animation, with a variety of practice modules too, including screenwriting and documentary film.
It is possible to take this degree with a placement year to gain valuable work experience or combine the degree with a year of working or studying abroad. At the end of your course, you could even add a year in Computing, Data Analytics, Journalism or a Language to your degree.
I learnt a lot about how to approach film both theoretically and in practice. Planning, research, and planning once again, I learnt, are the most important things when it comes to both filming practically and when planning for an essay. The ability to research and know how to research well is a key skill I use every day.
- Marcus Brooker, Film graduate and professional videographer
The School of Arts is a real community. If you need actors for your films, you ask the Drama students; if they need show-reels they ask us; and if you are looking for help with set design you talk to the art history students. I’ve made lots of friends in the School. We are also invited to guest lecturers by professionals in the arts, which are always very interesting.
- Georgina Rehaag, current Film student
Consider one of our joint-honours programmes, combining literature with a range of other arts-based subjects as well as literature or history.
BA (Hons) Film and Media Studies
BA (Hons) Art History and Film
BA (Hons) English Literature and Film
I enjoy the way lecturers and seminar leaders work with us, they treat us like adults.
Megan Hartey - Film BA
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.
BBB
The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above.
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 for further advice on your individual circumstances. A typical offer would be to achieve DMM.
30 points overall or 15 points at HL
Pass all components of the University of Kent International Foundation Programme with a 60% overall average.
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
If you are an international student, visit our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country, including details of the International Foundation Programmes. Please note that international fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.
Please note that meeting the typical offer/minimum requirement does not guarantee that you will receive an offer.
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
Duration: 3 years full-time
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 ‘elective’ 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.
The 2023/24 annual tuition fees for this course are:
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.*
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.
Fees for Home undergraduates are £1,385.
Fees for Home undergraduates are £1,385.
Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
The following course-related costs are not included in your tuition fees.
For students taking film practice/production modules, we recommend you purchase:
Our video production facilities will be Adobe-based. Therefore, if you wish to invest in your own equipment, these purchases will ensure it fits in seamlessly with our technology. However, any student unable to make these purchases will be guaranteed the use of the same, or better, University resources and will not be disadvantaged.
For students taking the Beyond Cinema module:
You have the opportunity to attend special screenings and other activities. Participation is strongly encouraged. The fee for these activities is due in the first few weeks of term and is approx. £20 (based on previous years).
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Search scholarshipsKent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
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 A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
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.
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.
The programme aims to:
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
You gain the following intellectual abilities:
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
You gain transferable skills in the following:
Film at Kent was ranked 7th in The Guardian University Guide 2023.
Drama and Cinematics at Kent scored 89% overall in The Complete University Guide 2023.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in areas such as:
Our alumni include:
Kent School of Arts has an excellent reputation and many links to professional practices. This network is very useful to students when looking for work.
The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:
As well as gaining skills and knowledge in your subject area, you also learn the key transferable skills that are essential for all graduates. These include the ability to:
You can also gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
Find out more about how to apply
T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
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