About the Course

This is an innovative and flexible course which enables you to explore a range of film and television forms and the social and industrial contexts in which they are produced and consumed. You will develop the critical and technological vocabularies and theoretical frameworks necessary to analyse film and television texts and contexts. Up to 40% of your programme can come from practical modules and we have benefited from new investment in cameras, editing suites with Avid and Final Cut Pro software programmes and dedicated teaching space. We also have excellent technical support for these facilities. By bringing together theory and practice, our programme encourages you to develop critical perspectives on the creation of meaning and to reflect analytically on your practical work.

The programme also offers work placements that can provide you with vital experience and contacts, in a wide range of film and other media contexts ranging from production, distribution and exhibition companies to activities such as public relations, marketing and consultancy.

This is an innovative and flexible course which enables you to explore a range of film and television forms and the social and industrial contexts in which they are produced and consumed. You will undertake practical modules in addition to theoretical studies, and will have opportunities to explore you own ideas and interests in a programme taught by staff who have published widely in their subjects.

You will study film and television texts from a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives and develop the critical and technological vocabularies and theoretical frameworks with which to conduct close textual and contextual analysis.
From Hong Kong cinema to Hollywood and from Science Fiction to Documentary, Film and TV Studies at Brunel examines a wide range of recent and contemporary production for big screen and small. Modules focus on both mainstream and alternative practices, the latter including American Independent Cinema, Third Cinema and Alternative Film and Video Practices. Popular genres such as Horror and Comedy are studied alongside, and informed by, more theoretically oriented material.

You can complete up to about 40 per cent of your programme in practice-based or vocational modules. Our range of practical modules includes Video Practice, Screenwriting, Documentary and Alternative Film and Video Practices. Students also have the option of completing a practical dissertation in their final year.  All practical modules include theoretical components – this means that you are required to analyse your own practical work, as well as being assessed on the basis of the practical work itself.

We are committed to equipping you with skills and experience for the jobs market.  We have an extensive range of range of contacts in film and television production, distribution and exhibition in London, as well as in media public relations and marketing.  We are often approached by media companies looking for students to help out on specific projects and you will be encouraged to seek out work experience throughout your three years on the programme. All final year students are offered the opportunity to take a dedicated work experience module that involves a period of industry placement.

Aims

The course’s primary aim is to provide you with the conceptual and theoretical skills necessary to engage with film and television products, and to understand how they work at aesthetic, social-cultural and institutional levels.

Enquiries

Xavier Mendik
Admissions Tutor

School of Arts
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 3PH

Email xavier.mendik@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 266879

Special Features

• Film and TV Studies at Brunel is strongly committed to making links between teaching and research, with most modules taught by staff who have published authoritative work in their field.
  
  
• Modules focussing on alternative practices are supported by the Cult Film Archive, a unique internationally-recognised resource housed by the Screen Media Research Centre, and of which film and television studies staff and postgraduate students are members.
  
  
• The department hosts the annual Cine-Excess International Cult Film Conference and Festival in London’s West End, and has recently launched an acclaimed Cine-Excess DVD Label. Further details can be found at www.cine-excess.co.uk
  
  
• You will be able to make extensive use of digital cameras and Avid edit suites in practical modules.
  
  
• We have a dedicated work experience module and students are encouraged to take advantage of our extensive range of contacts in the creative industries.
  
  
• You will have the opportunity to showcase your practical work at “Arts at Artaud,” a school-wide event that takes place several times each term in our purpose-built performance spaces.
  
  
• The student radio station B1000 offers an additional extracurricular outlet for interested students.

Facts and Figures

About the School of Arts at Brunel

The School of Arts at Brunel include single and joint honours degree courses in Music and Creative Music Technology, Film and Television Studies, English and Modern Drama. Our staff are active in both research and practice, and provide expertise in a wide range of topics.

Our undergraduate programmes are designed to sharpen creative and analytical skills, develop confidence in working in teams and in problem-solving techniques. Each programme develops basic skills within its discipline but allows you to explore your own particular interests through a range of optional modules. Research conducted by staff in Film and TV, Music, English and Drama provides the basis for much of our teaching, ensuring that modules are connected to debates and issues that are current within these three interdisciplinary areas.

Our annual Open House festival showcases new performance work by students and visiting artists. We also benefit from the activities of the Arts Centre, which organises tuition, performances and exhibitions across a range of arts. The student radio station B1000 offers an additional extracurricular outlet for interested students.

With its rich mix of Drama, Music, English and Film and TV Studies, this is a vibrant, friendly and creative place to study.

View student profiles

Candice graduated in Film and Television Studies and has recently won an award and a knighthood from Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg for her documentary film Charlotte: A Royal at War.

“My love for documentary work was largely started during my time at Brunel. My class were asked to make a documentary about spiritual sites in England called The Dragon Line. Although it was a lot of hard work, we had a great time interviewing people and editing it all together. After that, I decided to supplement my journalism work at Sky News with documentary making on the side.

"Charlotte: A Royal at War is about Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg during World War II. She fled the Nazis who took over her country and waged a propaganda war from London and North America to get help for Luxembourg. The penalty for listening to BBC radio in occupied Luxembourg was death, but many, including my Luxembourgish grandmother, listened in secret as the Grand Duchess gave messages of hope to her people. American troops eventually helped liberate the country, and the Grand Duchess is remembered as Luxembourg’s most loved monarch.

"The Royal Family of Luxembourg came to the London premiere of my film in 2008, as well as the Minister of Culture and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who represented the Queen. I, along with the director and my co-producer, were awarded a knighthood by Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg for ‘excelling in the arts and for outstanding service to Luxembourg and the Grand Ducal House’. The BBC was also awarded a statue of Charlotte as a sign of gratitude for allowing Luxembourg to use their airwaves during the War. We are currently in discussions with the BBC about broadcasting our film.”

Course Content

Major approaches to film and television offered on this course include close examination of films and television programmes – how they are shot or edited, for example – to understand the particular ways in which these media work and create meanings. All final-year students are required to complete a dissertation/project under the supervision of a member of the teaching team. This may take the form of a practice-based project with an accompanying analysis or a written piece on a subject of your choice. You will also be encouraged to prepare yourself for the job market by taking our dedicated work-experience module.

Typical Modules

Level 1

• Film Style
• Film Theory and Practice
• Critical Methodologies
• Television Genres
• Academic Practice
• Crime Fictions

Level 2

• Video Production
• TV: Forms and Meanings
• Science Fictions
• New Hollywood Cinema
• The Western
• European Cinema
• Theorising Celebrity
• Asian Cinemas
• Screenwriting

Level 3

• Project (Practical or theory-based)
• Documentary: Theory and Practice
• Gender and Sexuality
• Political Cinema
• Alternative Film and Video Production
• Horror
• American Independent Cinema
• Media Freedom and Regulation
• Film Production and Distribution
• Work Experience
• Hong Kong Cinema

Teaching and Learning

You will be taught using a combination of lectures, seminars, class screenings, workshops and tutorials.

Assessment

Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark but you have to pass this level to continue with the course. Level 2 is worth a third, and Level 3 is worth the rest. The final year project is worth a third of Level 3 marks.

Assessment is by a variety of methods, including essays, projects, presentations, audiovisual production and ‘seen’ exams.

Employability

Our undergraduate programmes are designed to sharpen creative and analytical skills and develop confidence in working in teams and in problem-solving techniques.

Careers

Our graduates have taken up posts in the film and television industries and in other fields such as journalism, publishing, research, critical writing, arts administration and programming. Our programme also provides a good basis for postgraduate study and the pursuit of higher qualifications in both theoretical and practical areas.

Past students have gone on to work for companies including the BBC, Granada Television and Ridley Scott Associates in roles as diverse as casting agents, researchers, production assistants and film officers.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £9,000 full-time, £6,750 part-time

International students: £11,330 full-time

Brunel is introducing over 1000 new scholarships for 2012, meaning that one in three applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

• GCE A-level BCC (General Studies/Critical Thinking accepted as third A-level).
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate BBBBC.
• Scottish Advanced Highers BCC.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade C in Creative and Media plus an A-level at Grade B for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in a related subject.
• IBDP 29 points.
• Access Pass in a related subject with 34 level 3 credits passed with merit or distinction.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level BBB (General Studies/Critical Thinking accepted)
• Irish Leaving Certificate ABBBB 
• Scottish Advanced Highers BBB 
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade B in Creative and Media or Public Services, including A-level English at Grade B for Additional and Specialist Learning  Extended project in a related subject preferred 
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in a related subject 
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma + 1 A level DDB 
• IBDP 32 points 
• Access Pass in a related subject
  

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.