screen student looking at a monitor. Blue overlay

Film and Screen Media

Foundation Degree

Apply now for 2025

Study Film and Screen Media at University Centre Leeds

Reframe your vision with our Film and Screen Media foundation degree.  Our community of students write, plan and shoot their own films on this practice-based programme.  Students take a hands-on approach to all aspects of production from script to screen.  Through learning visual language and exploring screen theory, we prepare you for an exciting career in the film and screen media industry. 

Join our supportive and welcoming community of students who have a passion for film and screen production and a full commitment to exploring new and interesting ways of telling stories.  

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 2 years
  • 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): F244
  • UCAS Institution Code: L21
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Validated By: Luminate Education Group

Entry Requirements: 64 UCAS Tariff Points

TYPICAL OFFER

UCAS Tariff Points: 64 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or
equivalent qualifications), one of which must be
in a relevant subject

IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.

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

Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.

*21 years and over at the start of the course 

RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

Portfolio: A portfolio of work is desirable.

Film And Screen Media looking at a screen in production room

Film and Screen Media

About the course

Working in small teams within a close community of passionate filmmakers, you will take an active role in all stages of production.  There is a strong commitment from a supportive academic team, working with students to realise rewarding creative projects to be proud of. 

Our course offers a wide variety of skills development required for the film and screen media industries. You will develop core techniques required for film such as, directing, producing, cinematography, lighting, sound, editing and storytelling.  You will also have the opportunity to work with industry professionals and produce original video content in response to creative briefs.    

Our community of students appreciate creative freedom to explore a wide range of productions, from fiction, documentary, advertising, music video, client work and exploring meaning through image. On your journey you will explore key crew skills, commercial product development, opening new approaches to storytelling and fundamental skills in fiction and non-fiction filmmaking. 

Your developed knowledge and confidence will give you the tools to successfully navigate the film and screen industries by the end of the course. 

Upon completion of this Foundation Degree, you can progress to study for a third year and gain a full BA (Hons) Film and Screen Media Top-up Degree

 

This course is validated by Luminate Education Group

Luminate Logo

We are proud to work in partnership with

Screen yorkshire Film Buddy

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.

Course Information

Modules may include: 

Year 1 (Level 4) 

Production Crewing (20 credits) 

This practice-based module introduces students to key technical skills needed to make moving image products and learn how to work collaboratively. 

Interactive Narrative (20 credits) 

Throughout this module, learners will develop skills to reframe their thinking about how video is presented and consumed. Using visual language in non-traditional formats will broaden an understanding of film and screen media production. 

Reading the Screen (20 credits) 

Reading the Screen explores why and how visual art makes us feel the way we do. Students are introduced to structural conventions of moving image and aspects of film and explore meaning in screen 

Short Form Fiction (20 credits) 

This practice-based module introduces students to key skills needed to complete moving image productions. Through this module the workflow of a short film will be explored while gaining confidence in understanding core cinematic methods. 

Documentary: Representing the Real (20 credits) 

This module aims to explore the experience of documentary today, with its changing dynamics of production, collaboration and exhibition 

Creative Commercial Screen (20 credits) 

This practice-based module introduces students to key technical skills needed to make commercial moving image products. Learning the fundamentals of developing, creating commercial content to a set brief and delivery frame this module. 

 

Year 2 (Level 5) 

Alternative Screen Techniques (20 credits) 

Students explore film & screen through expressive and alternative approaches to image creation. Developing non-traditional techniques, students explore approaches to the varied world of experimental film. 

Alternative Screen Practice (20 credits) 

This module is designed as a continuation of the semester 1 module Experimental Techniques. The module encourages students to develop and realise a considered experimental film using a wide range of approaches to their project work. 

Production Project (40 credits) 

A two-semester module which promotes students to create their own project, individually or as part of a production crew.  Students develop production skills before devising and completing a fully-developed short film production. 

Film Studies (20 credits) 

This module informs filmmakers in garnering a greater understanding of film as a powerful art form, exploring and examining contemporary film theories, cultures and critical approaches. 

Working in Visual Media (20 credits) 

Students explore the professional world of client work. In conjunction with local businesses and services, students will develop and produce a client video, while learning how to engage in professional client-based practice and communication.

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 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

UCAS Tariff Points: 64 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or
equivalent qualifications), one of which must be
in a relevant subject

IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.

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

Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.

*21 years and over at the start of the course 

RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

Portfolio: A portfolio of work is desirable.

Upon completion of this Foundation Degree, you can progress to study for a third year and gain a full BA (Hons) Film and Screen Media Top-up Degree or relevant employment.

Job opportunities may include

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

For latest programme specification please click here.

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

For 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.

Students 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.

However, we do recommend students buy a portable hard drive of at least 1 tb.


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

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