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Film Practices BA Honours

  • UCAS code: P313
  • Full time
  • 3 years

Explore the world of creative documentary film and become a highly skilled, imaginative and resourceful independent film-maker.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £21600

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

This degree allows you to develop an advanced level of knowledge and skills in film-making. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the relationship between documentary practice, film theory and the film industry.

You’ll work on a range of individual and crew-based film projects, and develop sophisticated camera, sound, editing and storytelling skills.

Your studies are set in the context of world cinema and the international history of the cinematic documentary. You'll graduate with a portfolio of creative documentary and experimental non-fiction films.

You will learn from scholar film-makers in our state-of-the-art facilities and develop a range of professional skills to prepare you for your future.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You'll learn the essential skills of film-making and be introduced to film-making as a field of academic study. You'll be taught camera, audio and editing skills and will undertake a range of documentary film-making exercises. This is complemented by screening-based modules exploring world cinema, both fiction and non-fiction.

Screening modules develop your ability to critically watch films as a scholar and film-maker. You'll be given a solid foundation from which to develop your critical appreciation of film as well as your own film-making. You'll also learn about the structures of the UK film industry from the point of view of an independent filmmaker

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Introduction to Film Technologies 20
Critical Skills in Media, Communication & Cultural Studies 20
Introduction to World Cinema: Ideas, Art, Cultures 20
Starting out in Filmmaking 20
Introduction to the Documentary: From documentation to non-fiction film 20
Introduction to the Film Industry 20

You'll build your film-making and storytelling skills by undertaking more complex and advanced projects including a series of independent creative microfilms. You'll also complete a crew-based experimental non-fiction film.

You'll explore film theory for practice across two modules, giving you the chance to build on your learning from the screening modules in Year 1.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Film Theory for Practice 1: What is cinema? 20
Film Theory for Practice 2: Why Cinema? 20
Filmmaking: Ideas to Screen 20
Work Experience: Find, Apply & Succeed 0
Making a Short Documentary 20
Analysing Documentary Practices 20
Optional Modules Credits
Student Exchange: Semester 1 60
Race, Culture and Identity 20
Popular Culture, Media & Identity 20

You only take the following modules if you are studying abroad:

Student Exchange: Semester 1

You make two films: a self-shot short observational documentary film and a crew-based documentary film (the equivalent of a written dissertation). You choose optional modules in film. This includes a new module on navigating the independent film space which will include visits to film festivals. You can also explore other academic interests in the School of Arts and Cultures or from across the University.

You can also develop your understanding of working in the film industry by learning from regular industry guests.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Observational Filmmaking 20
Film Practice Project 60
Optional Modules Credits
Race, Culture and Identity 20
Sex, Sexuality and Desire 20
Visual Culture 20
Celebrity Culture 20
Youth, Identity and Contemporary Media 20
Entering the Filmscape: Working as a Film Professional 20
Storytelling and Collective Psychology 20
Religion and Recent US Film 20
Power, Politics and Communication 20
Feminist Approaches to Media Analysis 20
Digital Discourses and Identity 20
Cities in East Asian Cinema: Culture, History and Identity 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching methods range from lectures, seminars and workshops to screening-based classes. However, you learn film-making skills through doing, undertaking a variety of practical exercises, and film-making tasks. You're encouraged to learn from any mistakes, and are given creative freedom to explore, try, and experiment with your own film-making ideas.

Film practice modules will be delivered in purpose-built facilities with access to the latest industry-standard film-making equipment.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assessments

  • Assignments – written or fieldwork

  • Coursework

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Group work

  • Reflective report/journal

Skills and experience

Practical skills

You will have the opportunity to experience all key aspects of film-making and of working as solo film-makers and in crews.

Through a diverse range of structured learning opportunities, you will develop both the craft skills and the sensibility required to work as a director, editor, soundperson, producer and cinematographer in the film industry. 

Business skills

You get the chance to attend field trips to film festivals such as Aesthetica Film Festival, Sheffield Doc/Fest, and Edinburgh International Film Festival. You'll engage with the local North East film industry through field trips, cinema events, and guest sessions.

Research skills

You will learn a variety of research skills, including traditional essay writing as well as critical reflection on your film practice. You will develop film-based research skills through a variety of film-making experiences and by screening your work to a public audience.

These skills culminate in a film-based dissertation, where you work in crews to create a festival-ready creative documentary film – a great calling card for you take into the industry or postgraduate study.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose the student exchange module in your second year. This will allow you to spend the first semester of second year on a student exchange.

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a student of Media, Journalism and Film Practice at Newcastle University, you will join a vibrant community in the School of Arts and Cultures' Media, Culture, Heritage department. 

You will be based in the Armstrong Building and Film@CultureLab, right at the heart of our city-centre campus. You'll be close to all of Newcastle University's amenities, as well as being just a five-minute walk to Newcastle's main street, Northumberland Street. 

You'll have access to:

  • professional-standard video and audio equipment, studio space and AV-editing facilities
  • specialist computing facilities, including industry-standard software, such as Adobe Creative Suite
  • a mobile studio suite

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

You will also benefit from the expert knowledge and skills of our dedicated team of technicians based in Culture Lab.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

Our graduates are equipped with the practical and transferable skills needed to pursue careers across the film, media and creative industries. For example in production, post-production, creative, marketing, distribution and film exhibition sectors.

The first cohort of graduates completed their degree in 2019. Many have gained employment in areas of the film industry, including within major UK post-production studios and commercial video production.

Some have begun careers as independent film-makers or cinematographers, while others are continuing their education at postgraduate level.

Where a film degree could take you

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BA Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

21600

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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