Filmmaking

Develop your individual voice as a filmmaker with our BA (Hons) Filmmaking. You’ll learn in a diverse environment incorporating both art and film school philosophies, empowering you to develop your ideas and stories through narrative fiction, documentary, artists’ moving image and new media.

You’ll be supported by our expert staff to bring your concepts to life and create original ideas from your unique perspective. As a filmmaking student in the School of Digital Arts (SODA) you’ll be studying at the intersection of storytelling, technology and innovation.

You’ll be part of a creative community that spans a range of disciplines, from photography and animation to music and sound design. Collaboration is key to the philosophy of the programme. You’ll be encouraged to push the boundaries of your filmmaking, explore the directions that interest you most, and develop a broad skillset made for today’s screen industries.

You’ll learn from experienced staff who are internationally recognised practitioners and industry professionals. The purpose-built facilities give you access to a vast range of specialist resources and studios. You’ll have the chance to display your work at screenings at national and international venues and explore a wealth of opportunities to develop your professional skills in the thriving city of Manchester. Study with us and you’ll benefit from industry competitions, guest lectures, and collaborations with world-leading cultural organisations.

This course has a foundation year available.

Features and benefits

• Be part of SODA: A £35m investment into specialist spaces with the latest technologies, award-winning teaching, research and networks that will drive the next generation of creative content.

• Teaching excellence: Teaching staff are practising industry professionals making feature films for cinema release, artist films for international art galleries, and running their own production companies.

• Learn from experts: Teaching staff have organised sessions with film professionals, including Academy Award-winning editor/sound designer Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now, The English Patient) and cinematographer/camera op Rachel Clark (Fantastic Beasts, American Honey)

• Specialist facilities: You will work with high-end equipment and have access to industry-standard edit suites.

• Industry connections: Annually we aim to host and support a number of externally-facing opportunities each year, allowing you to hone your skills in a professional environment and expand your networks. We have a partnership with Manchester’s leading Art House cinema HOME.

• Showcase your skills: Teaching staff recognise the importance of sharing work with public audiences, previously supporting students to showcase at external events such as Aesthetica Film Festival, Bolton Film Festival, Co-Lab events and our Degree Show.

• Global events: Each year you have the option to attend an International Film Festival when possible.

• SODA community: You'll be immersed in a dynamic, thriving creative community, where exciting events and opportunities are constantly unfolding — check out the latest happenings on our news page.