film student looking at a monitor on set, blue overlay

Film and Screen Media

BA (Hons) (Top-up)

Study Film and Screen Media at University Centre Leeds

Expand your horizons as a filmmaker with the BA Hons degree top-up in Film & Screen Media.  This course develops students' talents, giving them the confidence to take their filmmaking craft to the next level.  Expanding your core knowledge of film production, the course offers in-depth nurturing of your skills in development, producing, directing, camera, sound, editing, extending into distribution and marketing of your film productions.  

Building on our supportive, creative community of students, you will lift your original creative voice to new levels, sharing your passion for film making with growing confidence, ready to pursue an exciting career in film and screen.  

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Venue: Quarry Hill Campus
  • Fee: £8,745 full-time (per academic year for UK students)
     
    International Fee: £14,000 full-time (per academic year) £3,000 Scholarship available
  • UCAS Course Code(s): F245
  • UCAS Institution Code: L21
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Validated By: This course is validated by The Open University

Entry Requirements

TYPICAL OFFER

Foundation Degree: Pass on the second year of a foundation degree in a relevant subject, with a Merit grade preferable.

HND: A Pass in a relevant subject, with a Merit grade preferable.

IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component or a recognised level 2 English qualification. All students must be able to demonstrate either by qualifications or testing that they have the required literacy skills to complete the course. 

International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.

Applicant day: Attendance at an applicant day is required.

Portfolio: A portfolio of work is required.

Supportive academic text: A piece of supporting academic text is required.

 

student looking a paper with a story board on it

Film and Screen Media

You will complete a high-quality short film production, working with your fellow students in key roles, building on the skills you have already developed.  You will have the opportunity to complete a professional client brief, working with well-known external industry clients, giving invaluable experience that significantly enhances your film making CV.  At the same time, you will develop your own creative professional portfolio, presenting yourself to the industry as an exciting new creative voice.  Your work will be underpinned by a deeper engagement with film theory, pursuing your own area of interest as an independent researcher. 

Through partnerships with Screen Yorkshire and Film Buddy, students have access to a wealth of opportunities and instruction from industry professionals, as well as a route to exclusive trainee programmes in high-end television and film, designed for graduates. 

Through the BA year, you will develop a professional edge in a supportive, encouraging atmosphere, preparing to enter the industry as a valuable up-and-coming film professional, supported by more advanced learning and development of valuable academic skills.   

With practical experience and industry-recognised qualifications, this course opens new doors for students wanting to pursue the world of film. 

This course is validated by The Open University 

The Open University Logo

We are proud to work in partnership with:

  

We are part of Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus initiative which works to forge closer links between TV and Film professionals, production companies, broadcasters and students. Through this initiative you will have access to a range of boot camps, masterclasses and special events, including visits to live sets and studios, industry workshops, visiting speakers and the opportunity to gain feedback on your work from industry professionals. The scheme is encouraged and supported by the broadcasters based in the region, including Channel 4, the BBC and ITV.

We are also members of Film Buddy UK who offer bespoke employability services to encourage, inspire and assist students directly into work experience placements and employment within the Film, Television & Creative Media Industries. UCL Creative Arts students have free registration with the company throughout their studies and have access to live Q and As with some of the world's leading specialists, mentoring support, access to work experience opportunities and FB-1, an online catalogue of interviews and podcasts with specialists from the screen industries.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for to study full time, please do so via UCAS.

The institution code for University Centre Leeds is L21.

The application fee for applying through UCAS is £28.50, unless you are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).

Apply via UCAS

How to Apply:

  1. Register for an Account: Click the link below and use the "Create a New User" facility to register for an application account. An email will be sent to the address you provide, with a verification link.
  2. Verify Your Email: Click the verification link in the email to confirm your account.
  3. Complete Your Application: Once your account is created, you can start your application. You can save your progress and return to it later if needed. Your username will be the email address you used to register.

To access your account again and complete your application, use the second link provided in your verification email.

Apply Now: Direct Application Form

Need Help? For further information, please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk 

Please note, if you apply directly, we are required to submit a Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) application to UCAS on your behalf if your application is successful and you enrol.

If you are:

  • a current student with University Centre Leeds,
  • due to complete your Foundation Degree and
  • don't already have an application in UCAS for this cycle,

you can make an application directly to us for this course.

To make your application, use the below link and register for an application account via the Create a New User facility. You will then be sent an email to the email address you provided when registering for an account, on which you will need to click the link to verify your email address.

Once you have created an account, you will then be able to start and save your application, should you not be able to complete it all in one go. Please note that your username is the email address you provided when registering for an account.

To access your account again should you need to complete and submit your application form, simply use the second link provided in your verification email.

To register for an application account please use the following link and use the Create a New User facility:

Internal Students - Direct Application Form

For further information in regards to this please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk

Course Information

Modules may include: 

Year 1 (Level 6) 

Live Client Brief (20 credits) 

The Live Client Brief module is designed for students to develop working with industry clients, through completion of a cohesive video production in response to the client’s needs. Students build relationships with clients and industry professionals, gaining important industry experience, feedback and development.  

Major Project (40 credits) 

In this 40 credit module students fully realise themselves as creative practitioners and push the boundaries of the skills they have acquired throughout the programme, through completion of a considered creative product suitable for a public audience. 

Research Project (40 credits) 

This module encourages students to decide on a specific research path and produce a piece of academic writing. The module is designed for students to display their subject knowledge in a specific area of interest.  

Professional Portfolio (20 credits) 

This module is aimed at bridging the gap between student and media professional and requires students to contextualise their practice. Students realise skills to present themselves as creative practitioners, through development of freelance professional promotional materials. 

Learning and teaching are supported through film making practice - in the studio, on location, in seminars, film screenings, production meetings, class discussions, industry talks, and study trips, including film festivals. Educational visits and trips can take a variety of formats including physical and virtual experiences. This technical development will be coupled with employability and enterprise skills specific to the contemporary film and screen industry. Critical thinking and academic skills contextualise your work and prepare you for future study and employment. 

You will be assessed in a variety of ways including practical tasks, portfolio pieces, collaborative projects, industry briefs, essays, case studies and presentations. 

The programme is delivered at Quarry Hill Campus where students have access to an outstanding range of facilities including:

  • 4K Blackmagic Mini URSA film cameras  
  • Canon C100 – cine range of camera 
  • Canon XA11 documentary camera  
  • Green screen studio for effects and compositing 
  • Professional grip equipment including camera sliders, jibs, shoulder mounts and DJI Ronin gimbals 
  • Insta 360 cinematic VR cameras 
  • Study areas containing iMacs 
  • Teaching rooms containing iMacs 
  • Latest version of Adobe Creative Cloud and full range of software including, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, DaVinci Resolve 

TYPICAL OFFER

Foundation Degree: Pass on the second year of a foundation degree in a relevant subject, with a Merit grade preferable.

HND: A Pass in a relevant subject, with a Merit grade preferable.

IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component or a recognised level 2 English qualification. All students must be able to demonstrate either by qualifications or testing that they have the required literacy skills to complete the course. 

International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.

Applicant day: Attendance at an applicant day is required.

Portfolio: A portfolio of work is required.

Supportive academic text: A piece of supporting academic text is required.

 

Progression may include further study such as a master’s degree or PhD.

Job opportunities may include:

  • Film or TV producer
  • Camera operator
  • Photography director 
  • Film director 
  • Video editor 
  • Video Artist 
  • Foley sound designer 
  • Script editor 
  • Runner 
  • Production assistant 
  • Camera assistant 
  • Videographer 
  • Research assistant 

For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.

For the latest version of the course handbook for this course please click here.

For the latest version of The Open University regulations please click here.

There are additional costs associated with the practical elements of this programme, which may include optional trips and visits. You can decide to create small budgets for their film projects but this is not a course requirement as all equipment is provided. Some additional production costs such as food and travel will need to be considered.

We do recommend students buy a portable hard drive of at least 1TB.


Information for International Students

Applications are open for 2025 entry.

To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please see the direct apply link further up this page or visit our 'How to apply' page and complete the steps.

You can also apply through UCAS.

For more information please visit our 'How to apply' page.

Course fees for Undergraduates are £14,000 (GBP)

Scholarship available £3,000 (GBP) all courses.

For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.

Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student

International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.

  • 1 hour cultural studies
  • 2 hours academic study skills
  • 2 hours English studies

For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.

Unistats

Film and Screen Media Screening

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