Film and Media Studies

In a world shaped by digital storytelling, understanding how film and media work has never been more important.

As a BA (Hons) Film and Media Studies student, you'll explore everything from the early days of cinema to today’s digital, global, and connected media world. You'll learn to look at films and media as more than entertainment: they’re cultural objects shaped by the industries that create them. They influence both society and the world around us.

Throughout the course, you’ll gain skills that are not only important for film and media careers but also valued in many other fields. You'll be guided by academics who are top researchers in their areas, and you will have the opportunity to work on live projects with organisations from across Manchester’s creative and cultural industries. You’ll do this at the heart of one of the most multicultural cities and leading places for media and cultural production in the world.

We’ll help you build confidence and independence while developing creative, technical, and analytical skills that are highly valued in today’s job market, ranging from consumer research and film marketing to community engagement and curation. You'll be encouraged to think critically, express your creativity, and develop your knowledge in all aspects of the creative and cultural industries.

This course has a foundation year available.

Features and Benefits

• Varied topics - Explore both mainstream ‘Hollywood’ style cinema and less commercial screen cultures from around the globe. Our modules cover the historical and critical analysis of cinema, television and more contemporary releases.

• World-leading research - We are a world-class English department — 70% of our research impact is rated as world-leading (REF21).

• Immerse in industry - Manchester is an ideal location with links to the professional media bodies in the North West, including HOME, Grimmfest, Media City UK, the BBC and Granada TV. We use the media resources, business and industries of the city to make our content and assessment current, engaging and outward facing.

• Take the first step into your career - Our Media Industry module allows you to work on professional live briefs with partners in industries such as cinema, game production, marketing, cinema, podcasting, radio and television.

• Make connections - We’ll help you build your own network among our many partners within the creative and culturally rich city of Manchester, a UNESCO City of Literature.

• Build your knowledge - Access to the many film and media focussed conferences, readings, research programmes, festivals and competitions run by the department.

• Study abroad or industry placement - You can take the four-year route, spending a year studying abroad, or boost your career prospects with a placement in industry.