Film Studies degree entry requirements

Discover the importance of the social and political culture behind cinematics with a Film Studies degree. Delve into how the world of cinema has an impact on us as individuals and society as a whole. On this degree, you'll combine theory and practical knowledge so you can not only critique cinematic pieces, you can create your own too.

Studying for a degree in Film Studies opens up many doors to the creative sector. You can apply the skills you’ve learnt into several roles which include broadcast presenter, video editor, arts administrator and television production coordinator along with many other exciting careers. 

If your grades don’t meet the entry requirements to study Film Studies at your firm or insurance choice universities, don’t feel too disheartened. You still have plenty of other options to consider, including searching through Clearing to find an alternative course to apply to. Here’s how to do it.

Film Studies degree entry requirements 

The minimum UCAS tariff points to study Film Studies ranges from 80 points (CDD at A-Level) to 136 (AAB at A-Level), with the average being 112 points (BBC at A-Level).

For applicants with A Levels, universities don’t tend to require you to have studied any specific subjects in preparation for this degree. Typically, subjects such as General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded and cannot be counted as part of your points total.

BTECs are accepted by most universities for a Film Studies degree. Some universities look for you to have a BTEC National or Extended Diploma in a related subject but again this varies heavily from university to university. You’ll need a DDD for the top universities but could find a place on a course with as little as PP.

Some universities offer Film Studies degrees with integrated foundation years, specifically for students who don’t have the required qualifications to gain direct entry onto their chosen programme. The first year is designed to equip students with the necessary academic knowledge and skills for degree-level study.

The entry requirements for these courses are much lower – as little as 32 UCAS points – so could be a good option for you. It’s important to remember though, not only will your degree take longer to complete, the extra year will add additional course fees and living expenses to the cost of your studies.

Note: The exact entry requirements for Film Studies courses will vary from university to university. It’s important to check the individual course pages for exact entry information – including information on what other qualifications may be accepted – before making any applications.

It’s important to remember that universities don’t just assess you on your grades or UCAS points totals. They will also take into account your personal statement, and how well you’ve communicated your passion for the subject and your chosen career path. They'll also want to see what you can contribute to university life, so will look favourably on students who’ve been active members of clubs and societies at college/sixth form. 

Some universities may also ask students to attend an interview or selection day and your performance here will form part of your application success.

Top tip: If you've only just missed out on the grades/UCAS points needed for your chosen university, it’s worth giving them a call to see if they would be willing to accept you – based on your personal statement and interview performance. There are no guarantees, but it’s worth a try. 

How to compare Film Studies courses in Clearing

Other important information to look at when choosing a Film Studies course includes what the module choices are; how you’ll be taught and/or assessed; whether there are placement opportunities; and what the graduate employment rates are.

You can compare courses based on all these important factors right here on Whatuni. To start your search, head over to Whatuni’s Clearing hub and enter ‘Film Studies’ into the search bar. Then you can start browsing through the information pages for each course, comparing them to all the important factors listed above.

Top Tip:During Clearing, some universities have been known to lower the entry requirements for some of their courses. There is no way to tell if this will happen to Film Studies courses in Clearing, but if a university has a lot of vacancies to fill they may be willing to accept students with lower grades.

The easiest way to see which courses your grades make you eligible for is to click the ‘YOUR GRADES’ button located at the top of the search results page and fill in the on-screen form. The list will then be personalised with matching courses.

Once you’ve compiled a list of courses, you then need to decide which of the shortlisted universities you’d be most happy at for the next three to four years. A good place to begin your research is the university’s prospectus, which will give you an overview of what they offer students in terms of learning facilities, accommodation, social activities, and financial and welfare support.

We would also advise you to book yourself onto an open day tour or event at each university – if you have time to do so. This'll give you a chance to have a closer look at the campus and perhaps speak to some current students and/or potential tutors. Open day events are really useful for helping you build a picture of what your life there might be like and whether you’d enjoy it.

Before making any final decisions, we’d also suggest you check our student reviews. They'll give you an honest insight into what it’s really like to study and live at your shortlisted universities. Simply enter the university name and/or subject name to see what students are saying:

What if I can’t find a Film Studies course in Clearing?

If you haven’t been able to find or secure a place on a suitable Film Studies course in Clearing, don’t despair. There are still some other options available to you:

• Apply for a joint honours degree: If you can’t find a suitable Film Studies course to apply for, then one alternative is to search for a joint honours course where Film Studies makes up one half of the degree. Common subjects to be paired with Film Studies include Drama; Journalism; Media; Creative Writing; and English Language. Just make sure to think carefully about your future career aspirations before making a decision.

• Apply for a Clearing course in a similar subject: Subjects like Photography, Theatre and Performance Studies, Music; and Creative Writing; all cover important cinematic aspects involved in Film Studies and may be good alternatives to consider. Again, make sure to think carefully about your future career aspirations before making a decision.

• Study a Film Studies HNC/HND: Higher National Certificates and Diplomas are vocational-based courses equivalent to one (HNC) or two (HND) years of a Bachelor degree. They aim to produce graduates who are ready for employment in a wide range of language-related areas. The entry requirements for Film Studies HNCs and HNDs are a lot lower than for a degree – as low as 48 UCAS points.

• Study a Film Studies foundation degree: Much like HNDs, foundation degrees (FdSc) are vocational-based courses that last two years full-time and are worth two years of a Bachelor’s degree. Entry requirements are a lot lower - between 24 and 48 UCAS points (D – A at A Level or P – PPP BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma). They're ideal for those who didn’t get the grades for entry onto a degree or for mature students looking to re-enter higher education. After completing a Foundation degree students can progress onto the third year of a BSc degree or gain employment.

• Resit your exams: If none of these alternative options appeals to you, or you have your heart set on a particular course at a particular university, then you could opt to re-sit your A Level exams and apply for university entry next year. 

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