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BA|Undergraduate

Film Studies and Production

Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
BBB
Duration
3 years (Full-time)
UCAS code
W600

The Film Studies and Production degree at Queen’s offers a unique blend of critical thinking and filmmaking. Students will acquire advanced knowledge and skills in digital production, screenwriting, directing, cinematography and editing, as well as developing their understanding of film and moving image and broader film culture. Classes take place in the cinemas of the Queen’s Film Theatre and our dedicated Film Studio, which features full broadcast-quality LED lighting and green screen. Students benefit from our cutting-edge digital production and post-production facilities.
Students benefit from our cutting-edge digital production facilities including offline and online editing suites and use high-definition cameras, and lighting and grip kits for location work. Across the programme practice-based learning is framed by the study of film concepts, critical contexts, and current industrial practices. This approach encourages our students to become creative and critical practitioners with highly developed audio-visual literacy. All of these skills enhance the employability of our graduates within the media and creative industries sector.

Film Studies and Production degrees at Queen's have an excellent reputation in the field, built up over twenty years.

Film Studies and Production highlights

Professional Accreditations

Accredited as Avid Authorised Learning Partner for Education, the School of Arts, English and Languages offers industry accredited certification in Media Composer and Pro Tools, both industry leading software for film editing and sound postproduction. Preparatory work for these qualifications is embedded in the coursework of certain modules. Students will have the opportunity to attend an intensive short course and must pass the final exam to obtain the qualification.
https://www.avid.com/media-composer

Industry Links

Northern Ireland has one of the fastest growing creative industry sectors in the UK economy. Film production teaching is regularly carried out and supervised by tutors who are actively involved in the film and media industry, providing invaluable opportunities to learn first-hand from film and media professionals.

Global Opportunities

Queen's University Belfast is committed to providing a range of international opportunities to its students during their degree programme. Details of this provision are available through the university website.

World Class Facilities

Our Film degrees use cutting-edge digital production facilities; we have both offline and online editing suites, with software such as
Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve and Pro Tools. Full high-definition cameras are available, as are substantial lighting and grip kits for location work. Practical classes are held in a dedicated Film Studio with full broadcast-quality LED lighting using electrically controlled hoists and green screen.
Film Studies lectures and screenings take place in the Queen’s Film Theatre, an art house cinema, which has been operating on campus for over 50 years. The QFT features high quality digital projectors and Dolby sound systems.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Discover/facilities/filmstudio/

Student Experience

We are an Authorised Avid Learning Partner for Pro Tools and Avid Media Composer, offering certified industry-approved training
integrated into the degree.

Industry Links

Film at Queen’s has links with a range of independent and community-based film and media production companies (including
Stirling Film and Television Productions, Double Band, Northern Visions, Green Inc.); as well as BBC (NI), UTV, the Belfast Film
Festival, NI Screen, Film Devour Short Film Festival, Docs Ireland, Respect Human Rights Film Festival, and the Prison Memory Archive (PMA).

Student Experience

We have a flourishing film community including Queen's Film Society, with Queen's Film Theatre at its heart, making studying Film at Queen's a unique proposition. Students also have an opportunity to attend talks, workshops and Q&A sessions delivered by industry professionals, creative practitioners and leading film scholars. These sessions run as part of taught classes and as additional events. Recent sessions have included masterclasses with producers, screenwriters, and directors, and we also regularly host the BBC and NI Screen.

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

Introduction

The BA in Film Studies and Production is taught through an equal mix of hands-on film production modules and critical film studies modules, with increasing flexibility at Levels 2 and 3.

Stage 1

In Level 1 you will take five core modules that are designed to introduce the core theories and concepts relevant to the study of Film Studies and Production; you can then choose one approved module from a wide range offered within the school.

Stage 2

In Level 2 you will undertake one core module, and you will choose five optional modules. Subject to availability there is a wide range available allowing you to follow existing enthusiasms and develop new interests too. The modules are designed to build on the learning gained in Level 1.

Stage 3

In Level 3 you will undertake two compulsory film production modules, and choose four further optional modules. These are designed to build on and deepen your knowledge and understanding of Film Studies and Production. Subject to availability there is a range options available, including a Work-based Learning module, supporting your employability, and a Dissertation module which allows for a more focused independent research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students may also be able to take some relevant optional modules from the BA Broadcast Production programme.

People teaching you

Subject Lead for Film

Arts, English & Languages

Contact Teaching Hours

Large Group Teaching

6 (hours maximum)
6 hours of lectures

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

2 (hours maximum)
2-4 hours of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week.

Medium Group Teaching

6 (hours maximum)
6 hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week

Personal Study

24 (hours maximum)
22–24 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, editing lab or studio, etc.

Learning and Teaching

Film degrees at Queen's provide a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

  • E-learning technologies

    Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, and could include, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with audiovisual production processes in practical and project-based work etc.

  • Lectures

    Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups).

  • Practical workshops

    Where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to practical film industry contexts.

  • Self-directed study

    This is a vital part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

  • Seminars/tutorials

    Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups. These provide the opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

  • Supervised projects

    Throughout the Film Studies and Production degree, students undertake practical filmmaking group and individual projects. In their final year, all students take a double weighted practice module which provides the opportunity to specialise in a chosen area of moving image production and work collaboratively on a project, to be screened at the end of the semester. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you and provide feedback

Assessment

How you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Assessments may be in the form of essays, learning journals, short films, group projects, video essays, critical reviews, textual analysis or independent projects.

Details of how each module is assessed are included in the Module Outline document which is provided to all students for each module they study.

  • Some modules are assessed solely through project work and/or written assignments/video essays.
  • Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.

Feedback

As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module convenors, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

  • Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
  • Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
  • Placement employer comments or references.
  • Online or emailed comment.
  • General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
  • Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
  • Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
  • Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
  • Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

Facilities

Practical classes are held in a dedicated Film Studio with full broadcast-quality LED lighting using electrically controlled hoists and green screen.
Lectures and screenings take place in the Queen’s Film Theatre which offers our students the unique opportunity to watch and learn in a cinema environment.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Discover/facilities/filmstudio/

What our academics say

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    Optional Modules

    Screen Technologies (20 credits)
  • Year 2

    Core Modules

    Optional Modules

    World Cinema (20 credits)
    Hollywood Cinema 1 (20 credits)
    Film Authorship (20 credits)
  • Year 3

    Core Modules

    Optional Modules

    Work-based Learning (20 credits)
    Film Genre Studies (20 credits)
    Hollywood Cinema 2 (20 credits)
    Dissertation (20 credits)
    Gender and Media (20 credits)

Entrance requirements

A level requirements

BBB

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3

Access Course

Successful completion of Access Course with an average of 65%.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

32 points overall including 6,5,5 at Higher Level.

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

QCF BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits at Level 3) with overall grades DDD

RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 GLH at Level 3) with overall grades DDD

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree

All applicants

There are no specific subject requirements to study Film Studies and Production.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

How we choose our students

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by individual University Schools. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

For entry to Film Studies and Production last year, offers were initially made to those who achieved at least three GCSE passes at grade B/6 or above plus three GCSE passes at grade C/4 or above, to include English Language. The final threshold varies from year to year depending on competition for places and, last year, offers were made to applicants with a minimum of six GCSE passes with two B/6 grades and four C/4 grades or better (to include English Language). Performance in any AS or A-level examinations already completed would also have been taken into account and the Selector checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.

For applicants offering Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Junior Certificate is taken into account. Last year the initial Junior Certificate profile to qualify to be made an offer was 3B/3 Higher Merit and 3C/3 Merit grades. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied. This threshold may be lowered as the cycle progresses depending upon the number and quality of applications. The final threshold is not usually determined until late in the admissions cycle, so there may be a delay in processing applicants who do not meet the initial threshold.

Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The offer for repeat candidates is set in terms of three A-levels and may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.

Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.

Applicants offering other qualifications, such as Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, will also be considered.

For applicants offering a HNC, the current requirements are successful completion of the HNC with 8 Merits. For those offering a Higher National Diploma, some flexibility may be allowed in terms of GCSE profile but, to be eligible for an offer, applicants must have good grades in the first year of their HND. The current entrance requirements are successful completion of the HND with 9 Merits and 7 Passes overall. Any consideration would be for Stage 1 entry only.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of BA degrees, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

Candidates are not normally asked to attend for interview.

If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes

INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

Studying for a Film Studies and Production degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline.

Film Studies and Production, with its practice and professional components, provides an excellent background for work in film, television and other broadcast media and creative industries. A degree in Film Studies and Production can lead to careers in education, training and arts administration as well as offering a wide range of career possibilities including postgraduate study.

Employment after the Course

Our graduates have gone into a diverse range of careers, including the following:
Mark McNally (Screenwriter. Credits include acclaimed feature film In the Land of Saints and Sinners (2023) Recipient of the Puttnam Scholarship and BBC Writersroom’s Belfast Voices Programme )
Lauren McGuigan (Assistant Editor, Yellow Moon)
Eddie McConville, Sales liaison assistant, NBCUniversal. Screenplay accepted as finalist at 2023 Screamfest
Rebecca Davis (Film director, she has directed six fully funded short films for Northern Ireland Screen, the BBC and RTÉ)
Lauren L’Estrange (Editor, Ka-Boom Post-production, also working on her first feature film)
Elsa Hunter-Weston (Production Manager, Walk on Air Films)
James Hall (Assistant Programmer with Belfast Film Festival and Docs Ireland)
Andrew Tohill (co-director of feature film The Dig and television series such as Castaways and Dalgliesh with his brother Ryan)
Alastair Livesley (Sub-Editor at Virgin Media Presents)
Stephanie Fitzsimons (Associate at PwC)
Daniel McCabe (Sound Trainee, HBO)
Niall McEvoy, (on set VFX supervisor, HBO, Game of Thrones)
Grace Sweeney (Camera Department, HBO, Game of Thrones)
Maria Murphy (Assistant Producer, Below the Radar)
Aaron Bell (Online Assistant at ‘Fifty Fifty Post’)
Chris McGeown (Content Delivery Operator at BBC)
Michele Devlin, (Director of The Belfast Film Festival)
Genevieve Ewing (Business Consultant at CSG The Global Talent Experts)
http://www.prospects.ac.uk

Employment Links

Film Studies and Production, with its practice and professional components, provides an excellent background for work in film, television and other media and creative industries. A degree in Film Studies and Production can lead to careers in education, training and arts administration as well as offering a wide range of career possibilities including postgraduate study.

Professional Opportunities

Film at Queen’s has built up extensive industry partnerships with local film production companies, which have been experiencing significant growth in recent years. Industry placement forms an important component of the Single Honours degree at Level 3.

What employers say

Prizes and Awards

Every year there are School prizes for the highest overall mark in this subject.

Students across the department regularly win Royal Television Society (RTS) and other student awards at both local and national level.

The Anjool Malde award for the strongest documentary work by students.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £4,750
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £4,750
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £20,800
International £20,800

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

The tuition fees quoted above are for the 2024/25 academic year and are a guide only. In addition, all tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

Additional course costs

An Avid Authorised Training Manual for Media Composer is required at Level 1 at a cost of approximately £45. Film Production will provide all of the film, sound, media equipment and editing suites needed. Students are not expected to purchase their own camera, microphones, laptop or editing software.

Students will need to purchase an Avid Learning Central Subscription at a cost of approximately £100.00 and an external hard drive for their compulsory first year editing module. The hard drive is required for all three years of the degree. Queen’s will provide the production and postproduction equipment and software required for the completion of all other film production coursework.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/students.

When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2025 from early September 2024.

The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2025 is still to be confirmed by UCAS but is normally in late January (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.

Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2025) subject to the availability of places. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2025. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

Apply via UCAS

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

  1. Applying through UCAS
    Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.
  2. Applying direct
    The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application. Find out more.
  3. Applying through agents and partners
    The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

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