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Filmmaking and Screen Writing
- BA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 07/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Ayr Campus
Course summary
Pursue your passion for cinema with our BA (Hons) Filmmaking & Screenwriting programme.
Offering a unique balance between film theory, filmmaking and scriptwriting, you’ll develop industry-accredited skills that’ll give you a competitive edge in the creative sector.
With teaching led by industry professionals, you’ll use the latest digital film technology, cameras and software to hone your craft.
Programme Highlights
This programme combines academic theory and hands-on practice, helping you to develop industry-accredited skills.
You’ll develop transferable skills in content production, information processing and professional communication – meaning you can develop your portfolio.
This programme is professionally accredited by ScreenSkills.
You’ll have access to the latest digital film technology, cameras and software.
Guest lectures and masterclasses will provide industry insight and further your understanding of key issues within the sector.
Programme Details
The BA (Hons) Filmmaking & Screenwriting programme will help you develop the essential creative, critical and professional skills required to work in cinema, TV and related industries.
The programme will help you build up a portfolio of work and provide you with experience of post-production, research, scriptwriting and camera operation.
Modules are taught by industry professionals and our range of masterclasses are led by internationally-acclaimed directors, cinematographers and writers.
As well as having access to the latest digital film technology, you’ll also have the opportunity to work from our teaching space at Glasgow’s Film City – Scotland’s filmmaking hub.
Careers
Graduates from this programme have gone on to work in the following roles:
Directors
Camera operators
Editors
Film and TV production
Journalism
Marketing
Management
Modules
Year 1:
Introduction to digital filmmaking and screenwriting.
Year 2:
Develop your creative skills in the contexts of fiction and documentary production, and script-writing. You will also deepen your understanding of film theory.
Year 3:
Engage in more ambitious filmmaking and script-writing projects, developing a sophisticated appreciation of contemporary themes in cinematic theory and practice.
Year 4:
Complete a major research project in a specialist area of filmmaking of your choosing, and consolidate your understanding of film production.
Assessment method
Practical workshops and a range of assessment methods which can range from group work, short tasks, practical tests etc.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- ScreenSkills
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- WW68
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Ayr Campus
- Campus Code:
- A
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
Year 2 Entry:
Scottish Advanced Highers: BCC
A Levels: BBB
T Level: Full T Level with Grade M in relevant subject (120 Tariff points)
International Baccalaureate: 28 points
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM in relevant subject
HNC: Creative Media; Commuication with Media; Media Analysis & Production
Year 3 Entry:
HND: Creative Media; Communication with Media; Media Analysis & Production
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 102 points
A level - BCC
For year 2 entry, BBB required
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
DDM required for Year 2 entry
Scottish Higher - BBBC
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - MMM
For year 2 entry, DDM required in relevant subject
Scottish Advanced Higher - BCC
For year 2 entry
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
For year 2 entry, 28 points required
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H3, H3, H3
Scottish HNC - Pass
Entry to Year 1 with HNC in one of the following titles: Creative Industries; Professional Writing Skills; Media & Communication
Entry to Year 2 with a HNC with B in the graded unit in one of the following titles: Creative Media; Communication with Media; Media Analysis & Production
Scottish HND - Pass
Entry to Year 3 with a HND with B in the graded unit in one of the following titles: Creative Media; Communication with Media; Media Analysis & Production
T Level - Pass (C and above)
For Year 2 entry, Grade M is required in relevant subject
Entry to Year 1 with SWAP (BBB) Access to Humanities with Higher English/Communications 4 Literature 1 (or equivalent)
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 63 points
-
A level - BCC
-
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
-
Scottish Higher - CCC
Alternative Minimum Entry Requirements: CC (42 UCAS Tariff points) PLUS successful completion of one of the following:
UWS Foundation Academy
Foundation Apprenticeship
UWS Next Steps to University module
Top-Up
LEAPS
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H3, H3, H3
-
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
- An interview is required for entry into year 2 or 3 of this programme
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS.
All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of:
// Native speakers of English
// Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
// non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
Our Minimum Entry Requirements are applicable to those applicants who have not had an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic ability at school or college and are known as ‘widening access’ applicants. We also sometimes refer to this type of applicant as receiving a ‘contextual’ offer. For more information, please visit our website using the link below.
Learn more on the University of the West of Scotland website
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| EU | £15500* | Year 1 |
| International | £15500* | Year 1 |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Related courses
At University of the West of Scotland
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