Film and Television Studies BA

About the Course

Our programme offers an innovative and flexible approach to the study of film and television. You will be given the chance to explore a wide range of material, from both theoretical and practical perspectives. From Hong Kong cinema to Bollywood and Hollywood and from science fiction to documentary, our modules are designed to give you a highly up-to-date understanding of the world of film and television, a crucial part of the contemporary social and media landscape.

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. We aim to create an experience in which theoretical approaches to film and television influence your practical work and where practical work enriches your theoretical understanding. 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. 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 programme is exciting and challenging and we are dedicated to supporting your study with high quality teaching. Our main strength is our teaching team, a fact reflected in the very positive responses our modules get from student feedback. A key feature of the course is that our tutors teach material that relates directly to their own research interests, publications or film-making. That means you’ll often be taught by figures who don’t just use textbooks written by others but who have helped to define the shape of their own fields and are internationally recognized researchers. This expertise feeds into all of our modules, including the following examples:

• If you opt for our Horror module, you’ll be taught by an unrivalled team of experts including Leon Hunt, Xavier Mendik and Milly Williamson, all of whom have published widely in the field. We’re also home to the Cult Film Archive a unique resource for the study of cult media and also host the annual Cine-Excess international cult film festival and DVD label (www.cine-excess.co.uk).
• If you study Media Freedom and Regulation, you’ll benefit from the expertise of Julian Petley, a renowned authority and the Chair of the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom. He has published a number of leading works on media policy and freedom that have helped to define the field, and has given evidence on the subject to Parliamentary committees.
• Our contemporary Hollywood cinema module is led by Geoff King, an internationally recognized expert on American film. He is the author of two influential books on the subject. Geoff King also teaches American Independent Cinema, on which he is a leading international authority and author of five books.
• Our video practice modules are taught by an experienced and enthusiastic team including Alisa Lebow, Mike Wayne and Julian Savage. Alisa Lebow runs the annual Documentary Now conference, which attracts a wide range of documentary filmmakers and theorists, and is both a film maker and the author of an influential book on the subject. Mike Wayne has an international reputation for critical, political and alternative media theory and practice, the latter including a recent feature-length documentary about the Venezuelan revolution. Julian Savage combines his own film production with the publication of theoretical analysis. You will benefit from the expertise of this team in every practice module. Their students are regular recipients of awards, including the Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship award for outstanding documentary in 2008, the 5th International Disability Film Festival 'Breaking Down Barriers' in Moscow, 2010 and the 2011 My Streets top prize at the Open City Documentary Film Festival, to name a few.
• If you choose our Hong Kong Cinema module, you will gain from the expertise of Leon Hunt, who has a reputation as a leading expert on Asian Cinema. He is the author of Kung Fu Cult Masters among other works on this and related topics and his work has been translated into Cantonese.
• Political Cinema is taught by Mike Wayne, a leading figure in the contemporary study of film from Marxist and related political perspectives
• Our Theorising Celebrity module is taught by Milly Williamson, whose new book offers a groundbreaking study of this high-profile realm on TV and wider media culture.
• Comedy is taught by a team including Geoff King and Leon Hunt, each of whom has written influential books on the subject and are well known experts in the field.

Individual modules from which you’ll be able to choose focus on both mainstream/popular and alternative production, the latter including American Independent Cinema, Political Cinema and Alternative Film and Video Practices. Popular genres such as Horror, Comedy and Celebrity are studied alongside, and informed by, critical perspectives and theoretically-oriented material.

About the School of Arts at Brunel

The School of Arts at Brunel includes single and joint honours degree courses in English, Journalism, Music and Creative Music Technology, Film and Television Studies and Modern Drama. This is a vibrant, friendly and creative place to study. Research conducted by staff provides the basis for much of our teaching, ensuring that modules are connected to debates and issues that are current within these interdisciplinary areas.

Each programme develops basic skills within its discipline but allows you to explore your own particular interests through a range of optional modules.

View student profiles

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

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

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

School of Arts

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.

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

You will begin with a series of foundational modules at Level 1 that introduce you to film and television form, critical frameworks that have shaped the subject, historical and social context, and the rudiments of video practice.

At Level 2, you will be given more choice. You can develop your understanding in relation to more specific media, geographical and/or genre contexts, and undertake more advanced forms of video practice. You can also choose options such as screenwriting.

At Level 3, you are expected to develop increasingly sophisticated frameworks of analysis across a range of modules, including those focused on alternative practices in a variety of contexts. You will engage in practical work in either documentary or alternative video practice.

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

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

Film and television are key areas of the media and our programme equips you with an in-depth understanding of the way these key institutions produce meaning and function in a changing media lanscape. Our undergraduate programme is designed to sharpen creative and analytical skills, to develop critical perspectives and reflexivity, and to develop confidence in working in teams and in problem-solving techniques. You will develop a range of knowledge and skills related to the fields of film and television and we also provide an environment in which you can develop important transferable skills that are valued by all employers, such as:

• Problem solving
• Working in teams
• Managing time
• Developing project ideas
• Planning and completing projects
• Presentation skills

These skills and others can be developed through our work placement module which can provide you with both the experience and contact necessary for successful careers in the media. This new module offers specific training and skills for Film and TV students across a range of production, post-production, distribution, exhibition and PR outlets. Students have the option of taking placements with a range of contacts established by the module tutors, as well as choosing their own placement providers to fit their own interests.

The module aims to give students a greater understanding of the working practices of film and media organisations, as well as offering guidance in related transferrable skills such as interview techniques and time management/problem solving in the media industries.

The module aims to emulate the real life working practices as closely as possible and includes interview practice training before a panel of external media experts.

Brunel University also provides a vibrant extracurricular programme which you can become involved in – from the Cult Film Society to Brunel Radio, there are ample opportunities for ambitious students to develop their skills and profiles in media activities.

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 2011 Entry (click to expand)

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.