Film Studies

BA Hons

  • UCAS code P303
  • Entry year 2026 or 2025
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 3 years
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We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 2

    2nd for Film (Communication and Media Studies)

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • 10th for graduate prospects Film (Communications and Media Studies) The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • Access to cutting edge film equipment including Black Magic 4K cameras

Cinema shapes our emotions, our societies, and our futures. Develop your own unique voice with us –exploring rich cinema history and theories and using them to inspire your own practical film projects. From its cityscape and rural backdrops to its coastal charm – Lancaster’s surroundings provide an ideal film setting. You'll graduate with a combination of intellectual and practical skills, in close film analysis, indispensable for critical and creative pursuits.

Why Lancaster?

  • Deepen your knowledge of global film history through our exciting programme while also gaining practical film-making experience
  • Benefit from 24/7 access to our editing suites and specialist equipment, including cinema-ready digital cameras and workshop spaces
  • Gain inspiration from our team of distinguished academics, passionate film makers and experienced industry professionals
  • Immerse yourself in Lancaster’s stunning surroundings - the perfect backdrop for your films
  • Equip yourself for an exciting career in film production, the creative industries and related professions such as media or advertising

Film from all angles

Dive into the fascinating world of film, studying cinema and its history from international perspectives. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the development of cinema, from Victorian novelty films to the thriving global industries of the 21st century. Underpinned by film theory, you will draw on literary theory, social and political theory, philosophy, and psychoanalysis, giving you a deep understanding and a broad view of the influences that helped shape the film industry today.

You will build on your practical skills by delving into cinematography, editing, and sound, whilst also exploring film-making styles such as narrative, documentary and experimental. Together with global film practices, storytelling and scriptwriting, and gender and politics in film, you will be introduced to a wide range of themes that will influence the work you produce throughout your degree and your future career. From tackling the superhero genre through a powerful microfilm, to an award-winning film that provides a ‘women’s lens’ on the fear of walking home alone at night, past graduates have explored a wealth of topics through exciting film projects.

First-class resources

You will have access to top-of-the-line production equipment so you can create your own short films. Make use of our cinema-ready digital cameras with prime lenses, DSLR cameras, versatile set lighting, grip equipment and full access to Adobe Creative Cloud in our acoustic editing suites. Our specialist production facilities and purpose-built workshop offer everything you need to master the essentials of digital video and audio production, ensuring you can put your ideas into practice. Whenever you need support, you can turn to our skilled technicians who are on hand to support your studies.

A creative community

Studying at Lancaster offers a lively, creative community that extends from our campus to the city’s Castle Quarter and beyond. You might participate in our student-run cinema Take2, where you can show your films, or LA1TV - our own TV studio.

Take advantage of Lancaster’s city centre arts venue, The Dukes, that shows the latest independent and foreign films on our doorstep. In previous years, final year students have shown their own films here. You’ll also be close to mainstream cinemas in Lancaster and nearby Morecambe, and the city’s vibrant programme of annual literary and music events.

You’ll benefit from our strong industry connections such as with The British Film Institute, The Bay International Film Festival, LA1 Shorts Festival and Lancaster International Film Festival. These offer professional insights and opportunities to attend masterclasses, engage in community-based film productions, and participate in local film festivals. We also organise trips to industry hubs such as Media City in Salford, Greater Manchester, giving you the opportunity to see the film industry in action.

Students at work

You’ll be developing your practical skills in our film production modules by experimenting with narrative films or documentaries. We provide top-of-the-line production equipment so you can create your own original content.

Students filming in Morecambe Bay

Practical experience

You will have the opportunity to produce short films in all three years of your study.

Filming at the train station

Interesting surroundings

Make use of Lancaster’s stunning surroundings for the perfect film setting – cityscape, rural backdrop or coastal charm.

Film production

Gain practical film-making skills and an understanding of film production.

Production equipment

We provide top-of-the-line production equipment so you can create your own original content. Enjoy 24/7 access to our editing suites and specialist equipment, including cinema-ready digital cameras.

Showcase your films

Every year our final year students showcase their films in a major degree show exhibition, that is open to the public.

Creative Arts Facilities at Lancaster University

Whatever creative arts subject you choose, you’ll find we have specialist spaces and equipment to inspire your studies.

Careers

The film industry is constantly evolving, with new roles and technologies transforming how we create and consume content. Careers in film production, media, and the creative industries look very different than they did even five or ten years ago, and they continue to change at a rapid pace. Our Film Studies programme is designed to equip you with a versatile skill set so that you’re ready for whatever comes next.

Through this course, you’ll develop critical analysis, research, presentation, and writing skills, as well as hands-on experience with film-making equipment, editing software, and project management — valuable assets across a wide range of career paths.

As a graduate of Film Studies, you could go on to pursue a career in the following roles:

  • Film and Media Producer
  • Advertising Executive
  • Marketing Executive
  • Broadcast and Print Journalist
  • Film Programmer or Curator
  • Script Supervisor
  • Content Producer (TV, Film, Video, and Social Media)
  • Art Director
  • Teacher
  • Film Director

For those seeking further specialisation, our Film Studies degree also lays a strong foundation for postgraduate study. Previous graduates have continued their studies at renowned institutions such as the London Film School, the Met Film School, the National Film and Television School, and the New York Film Academy, gaining advanced training in areas such as directing, cinematography, and screenwriting. Others pursue a master’s or PhD programme, including our own MA in Film Studies.

With our Film Studies programme, you’re not just studying film—you’re building a portfolio of transferable skills that will serve you in a variety of professional contexts. Whether your goal is to work with established studios, explore the world of independent filmmaking, or even start your own media company, our programme will provide you with the tools to succeed.

Careers and employability support

Our degrees open up an extremely wide array of career pathways in businesses and organisations, large and small, in the UK and overseas.

We run a paid internship scheme specifically for our arts, humanities and social sciences students, supported by a specialist Employability Team. The team offer individual consultations and tailored application guidance, as well as careers events, development opportunities, and resources.

Whether you have a clear idea of your potential career path or need some help considering the options, our friendly team is on hand.

Lancaster is unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which recognises activities such as work experience, community engagement or volunteering and social development. A valuable addition to your CV!

Find out more about Lancaster’s careers events, extensive resources and personal support for Careers and Employability.

Careers

Find out about some of the careers our alumni have entered into after graduation.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. You may need to have qualifications in relevant subjects. In some cases we may also ask you to attend an interview or submit a portfolio. You must also meet our English language requirements.

Find more about these qualifications and others not shown here

Learn about how we will assess your application

Qualifications and typical requirements accordion

Contact Admissions

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, please complete our enquiry form and one of our team will get back to you.

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Enhancing our curriculum

We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future.

We will publish more detailed information about the structure of this degree course for 2026-entry in June 2025, ahead of our summer undergraduate open days. This will include overviews of the core modules you will take and examples of optional modules which may be available to you.

Fees and funding

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.

As a guide, our fees in 2025/26 were:

Home International
£9,535 £24,700

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

Details of our scholarships and bursaries for students starting in 2026 are not yet available.

You can use our scholarships for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.

We are partners with the British Film Institute (BFI)

All our students have free access to BFI Player with hundreds of British, world and classic films, plus workshops and masterclasses.

Find out more: British Film Institute (BFI)
British Film Institute logo

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2026/2027 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

Undergraduate open days 2025

Our summer and autumn open days will give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.

Undergraduate Open Days
two students sitting and reading on some outdoor steps

  • Virtual tour

    Take five minutes and let us show you what Lancaster has to offer, from our beautiful green campus to our colleges, teaching and sports facilities.

  • Accommodation guide

    Most first-year undergraduate students choose to live on campus, where you’ll find accommodation to suit different preferences and budgets.

  • The city and beyond

    Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the picturesque Lake District.