About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: PW38
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: 300
- Department: Arts
- Campus: St Matthias
- Duration: 3 years full time
- Delivery: Full time, part time
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Charlotte Crofts
Introduction
Film Studies and Screenwriting at UWE will interest students who wish to explore film through practice, screenwriting and research, and as a means of personal discovery. One of the distinct features of the degree is an ethos of creative practice linked to analytical and reflective skills.
The programme embraces all kinds of films and tastes, with a truly diverse approach to studying cinema and screenwriting. You'll be introduced to an exciting range of cinematic traditions, from realism and documentary, popular genres and art house, to live action and animation. Alongside the critical study of film texts and cultures, you will also be getting hands on experience of screenwriting and digital production - a combination which allows you to develop your understanding through doing.
You will be taught by Film Studies and Drama staff, all of whom are themselves active researchers and/or practitioners in their field. This means we are always responding to new developments and debates; and the degree structure we've devised enables you to specialise according to your individual strengths and abilities (please click on the structure tab above for more details). We have a great relationship with our students, and create a safe, friendly and supportive learning environment. Most importantly, we are a group of educators who are fully committed to the personal development of our students.
If you love film, then Bristol is a great place to be. We've got it all, from multiplexes to the Cube microplex, The Watershed and the Arnolfini. Bristol is host to a fantastic array of film festivals, as well as retrospectives, hard to see one-off screenings. Cary Grant was born here, Aardman Animation is based here, and all sorts of things have been filmed here, from Skins and Being Human to Casualty and Deal or No Deal. There are loads of cultural and media industries in the area, with lots of opportunities for valuable work experience. There's a great music and club culture, too, as well as theatres and art galleries. We have strong links to local, alternative screening events and cinemas, including Bristol Silents, the Cube, Arnolfini and Watershed, and with the Afrika Eye , Compass, Encounters International film festivals.
Structure
Content
Each year, students take 90 credits in Film Studies and 30 credits in Screenwriting, including critical practice modules.
Level one
You will take the Film Studies modules Film Cultures, Anatomy of Film (a critical practice module) and Topics in Film History, together with Introduction to Creative Writing, which offers a broad introduction to a range of writing genres, including screenwriting, in order to give you a strong basis for creative exploration. The Graduate Development Programme runs within the Film Cultures module.
Level two
You will take the Film Studies modules, Currents in Film Theory and Film Forms (a critical practice module), plus another Film Studies Option (e.g.. Hollywood; World Cinema) plus the Screenwriting module.
Level three
You take Cinematic Practice, two Film Studies options (e.g.. British National Cinemas; Film Genres; Cinema, Race and Ethnicity; Film and Philosophy; Music, Cinema, Culture; or Dissertation) and the Creative Writing Project module.
Teaching and learning
UWE Film Studies and Screenwriting is delivered through a combination of lectures, screenings, seminars, small group discussions and workshops, supported by independent research in the library, and student-led group activities. All teaching staff (based in Film Studies and Drama) are engaged in research and/or practice which relates to their teaching. The Government's Quality Assurance Agency, in their last report, noted that at UWE, "teaching staff, including visiting lecturers, are highly qualified and demonstrate a high level of engagement with the subject discipline, enhancing the student learning experience." Most importantly we are fully committed to the personal development of our students.
Assessment
While there are examinations, these are not the main or only means of assessment. Most modules involve a substantial amount of coursework, student presentations and projects of various kinds.
Special Features
Study facilities
Find out more about our facilities and resources.
Careers/further study
Doing a degree in Film Studies and Screenwriting does not necessarily mean you expect to work in the film and media industries - although many of our graduates do. Film Studies and Screenwriting provides students with both subject-specific knowledge and a range of skills valued by employers, including independent thinking, analysis and evaluation, information literacy, communication, team work, creative production and time management. We offer work placement options through our partnerships with local cultural and media industries.
Our graduates go into a wide range of professions, including teaching, publishing, marketing, leisure and tourism, as well as film programming, journalism and careers in film and media. A number go on to postgraduate study in film and related areas.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating - includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read about Sohelia's success on the South West Screen Next Generation Training Scheme.
Useful links
UWE - careers in broadcast media
Guardian - what to do with a degree in film studies
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 300
- GCSE: English Language at grade C or above required
- Relevant subjects: English, Theatre Studies, Film and Media Studies, Humanities, Social Sciences
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 3 credits in English Language.
Entry requirements
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about entry requirements.
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011