Film Studies

Film Studies is a discipline that treats cinema as a serious object of intellectual inquiry, examining how films are made, what they mean and how they function within the cultures that produce and receive them. It asks why certain films look the way they do, how narrative conventions have evolved across different national traditions, and what role cinema plays in shaping and reflecting social attitudes, political ideologies and collective memory. At the same time, a good Film Studies degree does not separate theory from practice: understanding how films work conceptually is deepened by the experience of actually making them.

At Keele University this three-year full-time BA gives you both analytical depth and practical skills. You will study film as an art form across a wide range of traditions and periods, developing critical frameworks for interpreting what you see. You will also use industry-standard equipment and facilities on campus to build hands-on filmmaking experience that complements your theoretical understanding.

The course includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you the opportunity to gain professional and international experience as part of your studies. These elements are designed to strengthen your creative and professional profile as you prepare to enter the competitive landscape of the creative industries.

Graduates from Film Studies degrees pursue careers across a wide range of fields. Many go on to work in film and television production, editorial and post-production, broadcasting, arts journalism and criticism, documentary making, and cultural programming. Others find roles in education, cultural heritage, media management, advertising and communications.

The combination of analytical writing, creative thinking and practical media skills that the degree develops makes graduates adaptable across the broader creative economy. For those wishing to continue academically, the degree provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in film, media studies, creative practice or screen studies.