Film and Screen Studies and Media Communications (Professional Placement Year)

This combined degree encourages film lovers to combine their passion with the media skills that will allow them to communicate ideas in new and innovative ways.

• Work in a professional environment with industry-level equipment.

• Collaborate with professionals and microbusinesses on real-life projects.

• Our award-winning staff champion inclusivity and accessibility to prepare you for life as a forward-thinking professional.

Combine a more traditional programme of film studies with innovative media studies modules to expand your understanding of new media and visual communication. Look at all things “screen” – from social media bites to feature-length productions, digital billboards and film theory.

Throughout your time at Bath Spa, you’ll have the support and guidance of our course leaders, who are award-winning experts and innovators in their fields. You’ll get the chance to use our state-of the-art film facilities in our studios, with cameras, mixing desks and editing suites. You’ll have the opportunity to work in the University’s new city-centre innovation hub for creative media technology.

On this degree you’ll develop and challenge your thinking about film and media. An emphasis on diversity, inclusion and accessibility allows you to explore pertinent topics such as decolonisation, building inclusive audiences and think about sustainability. By studying international and transnational film and de-centred audiences, as well as exploring new and innovative media and communications strategies, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running as a confident professional in the ever-evolving world of work.

Why choose this combination?
Students on this course will benefit from the core skills of both degrees. You’ll learn film theory and practical techniques, and explore the industry. You’ll also use your media skills to communicate your ideas in engaging and creative ways. Film underpins this degree, while the media modules give you greater flexibility in career options and develop your professional skills in communication.

Combined Honour Awards
At Bath Spa University many of our undergraduate programmes can be combined, so you don’t have to limit yourself to one subject. If you choose to study a combined award then in Year One you’ll start by studying both subjects in equal depth. From Year Two you can choose whether to continue with equal numbers of modules from each subject, or whether you want to select additional modules in one or the other. Upon successful completion of the programme you will graduate with a joint degree.

More about the Professional Placement Year
A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where you undertake a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between your second and final years of undergraduate study. You can engage in multiple placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) yourself, with support from the Careers team.

Year one
You’ll investigate film as a specific academic discipline, and be introduced to analytical tools to critique contemporary media. You’ll explore how meaning is conveyed in visual media and analyse how films are constructed. You’ll also learn project management skills and begin to look into the key theoretical and methodological issues involved in the study of cinema, and explore film as a commercial, cultural and aesthetic institution.

Year two
Understand the communications and film industries in greater depth. You’ll learn marketing practices, identifying opportunities to revolutionise how media creators communicate with audiences. You’ll learn web design skills, explore grassroots community media, practice cross-platform communication strategies, and increase your awareness of media ethics. You’ll also get the chance to work on film projects, both practical and theoretical.

Year three is your Professional Placement Year

Final year
Take your knowledge into the real world. Look at how you can shape the future of visual communication, through film and media, and develop new ways to communicate your passion for film, criticism and journalism.

Assessment includes essays, research reports, journals, group presentations and portfolios. Your assessments are designed to help you build a portfolio that you can take into your career. On some modules you’ll produce digital media campaigns, podcasts and social media content, while elsewhere you’ll deliver presentations and work on group projects, computer-based simulations and business strategy reports.