Film BA Honours

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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £15,400 *
Duration 3 or 4 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

This three-year degree is one of the best-known film courses in the world, with an international reputation for its academic and practical teaching.

Our students’ films are shown at festivals globally and have won a host of honours and awards, including Royal Television Society Awards, a Student Academy Award and a Grierson Best Student Documentary Award.

We operate from a purpose-built studio facility in Harrow, with two large film and television studios, a set construction workshop, a 3D workshop, and extensive post-production facilities. The environment is both scholarly and creative, with all students studying film history, criticism and aesthetics alongside their practical work.

You'll learn to collaborate creatively as you develop production specialisms in areas such as writing, producing, cinematography, directing, production design, editing and sound. You'll also gain the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.

We aim to develop thinking filmmakers who have something to say to, and about, the world. A very high proportion of our students go on to work in film and television, and recent work from notable alumni includes The Greatest Showman and Nocturnal Animals (Seamus McGarvey, cinematographer), Senna and Amy (Asif Kapadia, director) and No Time to Die and Skyfall (Neal Purvis, screenwriter, producer). Under the Shadow, the first feature directed by 2005 graduate Babak Anvari, was selected as the UK entry for the 2017 Best Foreign Language film Oscar and won the Outstanding Debut Award at the 2017 BAFTA Awards.

The course receives substantial support from the industry and you will gain experience of working with professional actors, negotiating with facilities houses, equipment hire companies and local authorities.

Based at the recently refurbished Harrow Campus – home to the Westminster School of Arts – you will work alongside students from design, photography, music, fashion and journalism, in a unique hothouse of creative opportunity.

Through an excellent network of industry contacts, some of whom teach on the course, and including many alumni of the course, students have opportunities for part-time work, placements and work-related learning activities.

The second year includes a core work-based professional learning module in which students may undertake a short work placement and begin to develop their industry connections and awareness.

Students may also undertake an optional year-long placement between their second and third year.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Westminster is ranked top 10 among UK institutions for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2021
  • Oscar- and BAFTA-winning film alumni – graduates of this course have gone on to celebrated careers in the film industry
  • State-of-the-art facilities – a purpose-built studio facility with two large film and television studios, a set construction workshop, a 3D workshop, and extensive post-production facilities
  • Work experience with a difference – recent placements include Industrial Light and Magic, Working Title Films and positions on King Arthur, Jack Ryan and Mary Queen of Scots

Course structure

The course emphasises group work, with students participating in small-scale productions in the first year, larger groups in the second year, and substantial crews in the final third-year productions, which may include the participation of second-year students. This film practice gives students the opportunity to explore different disciplines, before finding a specialism in the second year.

Teaching of specialisms on the course is supported by input from professionals through workshops, tutorials and feedback, introducing students to specialised skill-based roles that are crucial to a professional crew and may inform their career path.

The academic side of the course is assessed through presentations and coursework essays that build in length through the levels up to a substantial research project in the final year, where you carry out in-depth exploration into an academic or practical area of your own choice.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Each student will have roles in a range of documentary and fiction production projects, shooting and editing on 16mm film as well as digitally, and working in small groups. You'll be able to choose from a number of specialist screen option modules.

Subjects of study include:

  • Introduction to Film and Television
  • Constructing the Real: Documentary Filmmaking
  • Creativity and Collaboration (Film)
  • A Screen module from a range of options, including Production Design for the Screen; Visual Effects and Animation; Working with Actors

Credit Level 4

The focus is on specialist areas, including directing, cinematography, screenwriting, producing, editing and sound, to enable you to work in larger crews. You will also undertake a core work-based learning module, which will include a short work placement or alternative equivalent work-based experience.

Subjects of study include:

  • Drama Production
  • Work-Based and Placement Learning (Film)
  • Cinemas of the World: Contemporary Issues and Trends
  • Contemporary Television Drama
  • A Screen module from a range of options, including: Camera and Lighting Skills; Identities: Race, Class and Gender in Film and Television; Short Form Film and Video

Credit Level 5

Between Years 2 and 3, you may also undertake an optional year-long placement. If you take advantage of this option, you’ll undertake an additional year-long industry placement year module running parallel to your work placement, and their final degree award will be BA Honours Film with Professional Experience.

You'll work on drama, documentary and commercials production, engage in a research project and develop your understanding through an Industry module, to prepare you to move into your chosen career.

Subjects of study include:

  • Research Project (Film)
  • Advanced Production
  • Understanding the Film and Television Industry
  • Advanced Screenwriting
  • Documentary Production

Credit Level 6

Programme Recognition

This course is industry-recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark, which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.

This course is also delivered through a partnership with BAFTA albert Education, which provides staff and graduates with the tools and techniques needed to learn about environmentally responsible working practices and their professional relevance. The partnership will help students develop knowledge about sustainability, carbon footprinting and planet placement in programmes.

Programme Memberships

British Film Designers Guild (BFDG) – Through this organisation students are able to attend conferences, become part of a thriving online network which organises events (online and face to face), provides job alerts, offers career advice to its members and helps promote individuals through its weekly showcase newsletter. 

National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image (NAHEMI) – NAHEMI offers members a high-profile opportunity to showcase their students’ work at national and international festivals, providing a unique student-led cultural experience, as well as an opportunity for debate and networking.  Offering prestigious awards for students’ productions, NAHEMI also organises competitions for student filmmakers, including the prestigious Nahemi/Kodak Student Commercial awards with 16mm stock donated by Kodak, and live briefs set by the advertising industry.

The International Association of Film and Television Schools (Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et de Télévision – CILECT) – Through this partnership, students are able to participate in networking collaborations, regional or inter-regional workshops, conferences, symposia, festivals, and co-productions. 

Programme Training Opportunities

This course is committed to health and safety training, and has partnered with the Mark Milsome Foundation to offer an optional online course for students wishing to develop their skills in this area.

The Mark Milsome Foundation Skillset Production Safety Passport course ensures that students are equipped with essential safety knowledge, as they venture into careers in the film and TV industry.

Created in memory of Mark Milsome, the course provides a Level II Production Safety Passport valid for 5 years from ScreenSkills. This additional course is available free of charge to University of Westminster students studying this Undergraduate course.

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

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(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

Join our successful alumni

A high proportion of our graduates go on to well-paid and creatively satisfying careers in a wide range of production roles.

Industry-focused teaching

Your practical and creative development is supported by workshops and tutorials led by practising industry professionals, as well as by the course team.

90%

Graduates in work and/or further study

90% of our Film BA students are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.

Source: Discover Uni (Accessed November 2020)

Work experience

London is the centre of the UK’s film and television industries, so there are plenty of opportunities for students to gain work experience during their course, and doing this makes it easier to find paid work on graduating. Students undertake work experience that relates to their desired career path as part of the third year Professional Practice module, and recent placements include:

  • Art Assistant on Bohemian Rhapsody
  • VFX Production Assistant on King Arthur
  • Location marshalling on Jack Ryan Season 2 and Annihilation
  • Roles at Industrial Light and Magic, Working Title and Envy Post Production
  • Positions at Emmerdale, Broadchurch and Mary Queen of Scots
  • Runners for ESPN: Wimbledon and US Open
  • Casting Assistant at Aston Casting
  • Sound Assistant at Phenomenon Films

Industry links

Our strong industry links mean that the course is supported by professionals in the sector. Students benefit from workshops and tutorials that introduce them to different skills and specialisations, and allow them to develop these skills in an industry-style production context. As well as influencing career choices, leading professionals also tutor students on their productions.

Recent visiting professionals include:

  • Kit Fraser (Director of Photography, Eternal Beauty, Under the Shadow)
  • Louise Hooper (Director, Flesh and Blood)
  • Mick Audsley (Editor, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
  • Sara Dunlop (Commercials Director)
  • Paul Trijbits (Producer, Fish Tank, Saving Mr Banks)
  • Seamus McGarvey (Cinematographer, The Greatest Showman, Atonement, Anna Karenina, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Godzilla)

Job roles and graduate employment

Film and television can be difficult industries in which to gain a foothold. Our emphasis on equipping graduates with skills in entry-level roles as well as experience in Head of Department roles, allows them to gain immediate employment and opportunities to progress.

Typical entry-level roles can include:

  • Art department trainee or assistant
  • Location runner/location assistant
  • Camera trainee
  • Production assistant
  • Script reader
  • Script supervisor’s assistant
  • AD runner or 3rd AD
  • Researcher
  • Editorial trainee/ 2nd assistant editor/assistant editor

Examples of graduate employment include:

  • Assistant Location Manager on Annihilation (Saba Kia) and locations Assistant on The Nutcracker (Tara Acton)
  • Production Assistant on The Danish Girl (Behnam Taheri) and on Set Production Assistant on Spider-Man: Far From Home (Pippa Howson) and Production Co-ordinator on Yesterday (Jannika Oberg) and Downton Abbey (Aneta Chalas)
  • Director's Assistant: 2nd Unit on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (Lois Gration) and 1st AD/2nd Unit Director on 47 Meters Down (James Nunn)
  • Central Loader on Cats (Hannah Jell) and Aladdin (Cenay Said), clapper Loader: 2nd Unit on No Time to Die (Phil Barnes), 2nd AC: Sprite Unit on Bohemian Rhapsody (Maiya Rose) and Camera Trainee on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Sarah Collins)
  • VFX Production Assistant on Dumbo (Jack Lewis) and VFX Editor on Hellboy (2019) (Kieran Waller) and VFX Data Capture on Cats (Chris Upson)
  • Assistant Script Supervisor on Men in Black: International (Alice Guillot)

Other recent graduates have gone on to further study, including:

  • National Film and Television School – graduates currently doing MAs in Screenwriting, Cinematography, Editing, Commercials.
  • MA Film and Screen Studies, Cambridge University
  • MA History of Dress, Courtauld Institute
  • PhD, Film Directing, University of Liverpool
  • MA English Literature, City University
  • MFA Production Design, American Film Institute

Graduate success

This course has helped to shape the careers of some of the most influential names working in the industry today, such as:

Seamus McGarvey - Cinematographer (The Greatest Showman, Atonement, Anna Karenina, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Godzilla)
Asif Kapadia - Director, 2016 BAFTA and Oscar Winner (Amy, The Warrior, Senna)
Cinders Forshaw – Cinematographer (Poldark, The Athena, Tipping the Velvet)
Paul Trijbits - Producer (Jane Eyre, Saving Mr. Banks, This is England)
Neal Purvis - Writer (Jonny English, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Spectre)
Lucia Zucchetti - Editor (Colette, The Queen, Rat Catcher, Testament of Youth, Game Change)
Babak Anvari - Director, 2017 BAFTA Winner (Under the Shadow)

Other recent graduate credits include:

  • Cinematographer's Assistant – The Mummy, Wonder Woman, Beauty and the Beast (Jack Mealing)
  • Production Assistant – Wonder Woman (Lois Gration)
  • Cinematographer - Eternal Beauty, Wounds (Kit Fraser)
  • 2nd Unit Electrician – Spiderman: Far from Home (Greg Probert)
  • DoP – The Will Smith Bucket List (Edgar Dubrovsky)
  • Technical Assistant – Warner Brothers Television Production UK (Amanda Fox)
  • Writer/Director ‘After Love’ (BFI and BBC Films) – Aleem Khan
  • Editor, ‘The Trip to Greece’, ‘The Trip to Spain’ – Marc Richardson
  • Art Department Trainee on Spider-Man: Far From Home (Nathalie Carraro)
  • Oscar for Best Live Action Short 2016: ‘Stutterer’ – Shan Ogilvie, Producer
  • Oscar for Best Live Action Short 2017: ‘Sing’ – Kristof Deak, Writer/Director
  • 2019 Screen Daily Star of Tomorrow – Dionne Edwards, Writer/Director
  • In Competition at Cannes 2016: ‘Dreamlands’ – Sara Dunlop, Director

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leader

The film student experience

Why study this course?

“This is a highly impressive and well-thought-out course, which provides relevant and high-quality learning to its students, most of whom go on to work in the industry."

- Anthony Alleyne, ScreenSkills Select Industry Evaluator

Acclaimed films

Our students’ films are shown at festivals globally and have won a host of honours and awards, including Royal Television Society Awards (the latest in 2021), a Student Academy Award (2011), a Grierson Best Student Documentary Award (2015).

Industry experience

The course receives substantial support from the industry and you will gain experience of working with professional actors, negotiating with facilities houses, equipment hire companies and local authorities.

World-class facilities

We operate from a purpose-built studio facility in Harrow, with two sound stages, a set construction workshop, and extensive post-production facilities.

Entry Requirements

  • A levels – ABB (128 UCAS Tariff points)
  • T levels – 128 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 128 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM
  • BTEC Diploma – Not accepted on its own 
  • Access – 128 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have: 

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths Pass - IB Pass

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

Please note: we do not accept applications for deferred entry.

Selection for the course is highly competitive. You are considered for interview on your grades (predicted or achieved), and, if qualified, a portfolio of relevant work. This could include various types of creative work, for example: a short film (fiction or documentary, maximum 3-5 minutes), a script, storyboards, photography, art portfolios (e.g. painting, drawing, collage), animation. Please include whole short films, or a 5-minute excerpt from a longer film, a ‘showreel’ of edited clips is acceptable if you are a cinematographer .

If you are selected for interview, you will need to demonstrate your passion for film, storytelling and for collaborating with others, as well as talking about the work you have done and would like to create in the future.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

  • International Baccalaureate – 128 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each component.

Please note: we do not accept applications for deferred entry.

Selection for the course is highly competitive. You are considered for interview on your grades (predicted or achieved), and, if qualified, a portfolio of relevant work. This could include various types of creative work, for example: a short film (fiction or documentary, maximum 3-5 minutes), a script, storyboards, photography, art portfolios (e.g. painting, drawing, collage), animation. Please include whole short films, or a 5-minute excerpt from a longer film, a ‘showreel’ of edited clips is acceptable if you are a cinematographer .

If you are selected for interview, you will need to demonstrate your passion for film, storytelling and for collaborating with others, as well as talking about the work you have done and would like to create in the future.

More information

What our students say

Tomas Berka

Film BA

This University is one of the best in the country and has the potential to help you to gain all the knowledge you need to get a job in the future. Also, if you are not from London and worry about moving here, I can tell you from my own experience that there is nothing to worry about. Despite the fact that I’m an international student, I was able to become independent pretty quickly and that just gave me a head start into life at University

Mia-Rose Toni Jones

Film BA - 2024

What I‘ve enjoyed the most are the people on my course. The tight-knit group dynamic, constant collaboration, and shared experiences create a network of working professionals and close friends. This collaborative environment is crucial in our industry, teaching us how to work effectively with a variety of people.

Harry Pollard

Film BA - 2024

I've enjoyed the course's emphasis on storytelling. I think it’s important to have the opportunity to explore the different areas of film to find what suits you. The university's encouragement of this has been crucial to my development.

Westminster Degree Shows

The Westminster Degree Shows are an annual collection that showcases the creativity, vibrancy and artistic talent of our undergraduate arts courses. You can see the latest online collection on Westminster Degree Shows.

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Facilities

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Alumni

Roma O Connor's default avatar image

Roma O Connor

Film BA - 1993

VFX Producer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

The course was invaluable experience not only because it gave a sound technical grounding and therefore adaptability, but it also taught me to work within a team environment where every area is given due relevance, which is essential in film-making and especially in features.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
24%76%
2
23%77%
P
1%50%49%
3
33%67%
Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Written exams: end of semester exams 
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
     
Year
1
100%
2
34%66%
P
25%75%
3
6%94%
PracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2023/24

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

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Course Location

Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the creative enterprise hub.

Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.

For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

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