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.

Download information about this course as a PDF

Your course during COVID-19
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.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.

View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2021-22.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information

Quality and ranking

• 9th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2022 (Communications and Media category)
• top 20 in the UK – The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 (Communications and Media category)
• top 175 – Social Sciences category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2021
• over 80% of our research is ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Excellence Framework 2014)

Teaching excellence

TEF Gold

A ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

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.

Featured Module

Filmmaking: Ideas to Screen

This modules encourages students to draw on their knowledge of World Cinema to produce a short film.

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
Introduction to Scholarly Practice	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
Making a Short Documentary	20
Analysing Documentary Practices	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Student Exchange: Semester 1	60
Race, Culture and Identity	20
Representations: Popular Culture & Identity	20
Celebrity Culture	20

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	40

Optional Modules	Credits
Classic French Cinema	20
Contemporary Japanese Animation	20
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
Critical Approaches to Media, Communication and Culture	20
Digital Power, Politics and Communication	20
Digital Discourses and Identity	20
Cities in East Asian Cinema: Culture, History and Identity	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

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

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

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. 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

A student-led tour of our film facilities.

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.

Employability at Newcastle

96% of Newcastle University graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating, with 85.5% in graduate-level employment or further study.

Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates. See what they have gone on to achieve and be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation (Destinations of (undergraduate and postgraduate UK domiciled) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17).

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.

Read our detailed explanation

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2021 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£19200

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme). 

The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.

For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.

If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.

Read more about fees and funding

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:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

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