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Introduction

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Location

Headington

Course Length

Full time: 3 years, or 4 years

Why choose this course?

Throughout the course, you’ll get a good balance of practical application and film theory.

In your first year we focus on giving you a firm foundation in the creative, critical and professional skills involved in producing films. A range of modules help you explore topics such as film history, popular cinema and the language of film. As you start to make your own films, you’ll experiment with screenwriting and creative practice.

During Year 2 you’ll learn new digital research methods and examine different approaches to filmmaking. You’ll develop your critical insight and creative ability. Plus, our optional modules, including short film development, the analysis of stardom or the careers of independent filmmakers, allow you to specialise.

Your final year is when you have the option to choose between writing a dissertation or shooting a short film of your own. To give you first-hand experience of the real world of film, the year also includes a live client project or extensive work placement (or you may decide to take a whole year out between the second and third year on placement).

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of teaching and learning activities:

Tutorials

Help you to develop ideas and track the progression of your projects. You will also get detailed feedback on your formative (developmental) and summative (assessed) work.

Skills workshops

These hands-on sessions used in the creative modules will help you develop specific abilities or techniques to benefit your practice.

Technical Demonstrations

Accessed through the School of Arts’ innovative ‘Skills Carousel’ sessions, these will teach you technical competence with a range of production equipment.

Work-based Learning

Central to your compulsory final year module, you'll have help in finding a work placement or live project. Placements are available in sectors including film/media production, journalism, exhibition, film festivals, or research.

Live Projects

An entrepreneurial alternative to work placements. Working in a group with other students to deliver a specific project or event which will often be public-facing.

Overview

In a world that is hungry for new content to watch, film is an exciting subject to study. With demand currently making it one of the largest sectors in the UK, the film industry is attracting major investment and actively recruiting.

You may want to be a film director, producer or screenwriter. Or you may want to specialise in new media or independent films. Whichever direction you take, our course will give you the direct experience and professional knowledge you need. A third year optional workplacement/ internship can help you progress your skills.

You’ll cover core skills in film production, film criticism and film history. But most importantly, you’ll learn how to apply these techniques to your own work.

A popular part of the final year is a work placement or a live project. And our strong links with the industry mean a film degree from Oxford Brookes is an ideal stepping stone for your future career.

Graduates have gone on to work on productions including Skyfall, Slumdog Millionaire, Doctor Who, Saturday Kitchen and Downton Abbey. Where could it take you?

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Thinking Film 1, 2 and 3

In three core Thinking Film modules (Thinking Film 1: Framing Film Analysis, Thinking Film 2: Research Skills, Thinking Film 3: Popular Cinema), you build your knowledge of research methods and essential historical contexts.

Making Film 1 and 2

Two core Making Film modules (Making Film 1: Introduction to Creative Practices, Making Film 2: Screenwriting for Film and TV) introduce you to production work, including a series of practicals, short project work and technical introductions.

Working in Film 1 and 2

In two core Working in Film modules (Working in Film 1: Screen Industries and Working in Film 2: Film History, Industry and Technology), you consider key industry frameworks and systems of funding, production and distribution.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Making Film 3: Approaches to Filmmaking

• Thinking Film 5: Digital Research Methods

Optional modules

• Making Film 4: Screenwriting Craft and Practice

• Making Film 5: Short Film Production

• Thinking Film 4: Star and Audiences

Independent Study In Film

• Working in Film 3: Festivals, Cinemas and New media

• Working in Film 4: Independent Filmmakers

Year 3 (placement year)

Optional modules

Career Development Placement

Career Development Placement The aim of this module is to develop the professional profile and professional confidence of a student through experiential learning opportunities and engagement with external organisations by undergoing work placements, internships and industry experiences. It aims to enable students to manage their own learning and self-direction through identifying opportunities that align to their disciplinary ambitions, situating their practice in a professional context. It offers a range of options including an Enterprise Residency where students can operate as freelancers and develop ideas for a start-up business with the full support of Brookes Enterprise Support.


Year 4 (or year 3 If no placement)

Compulsory modules

Thinking Film 6: Film Theory

In the core Thinking Film 6: Film Theory, you consolidate and extend your critical and professional understanding with study of advanced theoretical frameworks.

Working in Film 5: Creative Industries

You undertake a compulsory work placement or live project (Working in Film 5: Creative Industries) as preparation for employment.

Optional modules

Making Film 6: Short Film Development

Making Film 6: Short Film Project

Thinking Film 7: Dissertation in Film; Making Film 6: Short Film Development; Making Film 7: Short Film Project

In your final year, you choose between focusing on the development and production of a major critical or creative project.

Thinking Film 8: Global Cinema & TV

Entry Criteria

Entry requirements

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

Standard offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 112
A Level: BBC
IB Points: 30
BTEC: DMM

Contextual offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM

Further offer details

We welcome applications from candidates with alternative qualifications, and from mature students.

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

GCSE: Grade 4 (C) in Mathematics and English

Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:

 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English you will require a minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.

If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.

The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.

The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:

Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.




Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment

The course is 100% assessed through coursework. All group work is supported and monitored closely to ensure fairness and maximum participation.

This course encourages you to think and behave like a professional and you will have the opportunity to:

 use cutting-edge digital methodologies
 pitch story ideas
 create scripts
 direct short films
 design a programme for a local independent cinema
 organise and run our popular Student Film Festival.

Career Opportunities

Our course is designed so that you will graduate as a well-rounded professional, equipped for a variety of roles in the film and media industry.

You may decide to pursue a career in film or TV, production management, media journalism or creative writing for the screen. Or you could take up a related job such as marketing or public relations in the film industry.

Recent students have gone on to pursue successful careers at:

 BBC
 Sky TV
 Channel 5
 Pinewood
 Universal Studios
 Disney
 BT Sport
 HBO.

Graduates regularly have their works featured at film festivals across the world including the Academy Awards and various BAFTA Qualifying Festivals, such as the Festivale de Cannes, the Leeds International Film Festival and the Holly Shorts Film Festival.

Other students decide to stay in academia and pursue a research career in their specialist field.

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