(Full time) 2023 start
Film, Photography and Media BA
Overview
This course blends film, photography and media to help you develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in the fast-growing media sector.
You'll study film and photography in a research-led media school, considering key theories, debates and historical developments. This is combined with some creative practice, such as screenwriting and digital photography, to foster your creative and critical reflection skills.
While this is an academic degree, you’ll be able to explore production practices using our industry-standard facilities and understand how theory and practice can support each other.
Optional modules allow you to focus on film analysis and theory, develop skills in animation or scriptwriting, or to broaden the scope of your degree into the field of media and communication.
You’ll gain an understanding of the historical, theoretical, cultural and industrial contexts of film and photography, alongside mastering skills in production and post production.
Specialist facilities
You’ll study in a supportive environment equipped with a range of industry-standard resources. As well as our extensive loans service for equipment such as digital recorders, video cameras, stills cameras and more, you’ll benefit from access to our darkroom and 40 editing suites equipped with the latest Avid video editing software and Photoshop.
Our 58-seat cinema screens films twice a week during term time, and is equipped with HD video projection facilities, 16mm and 35mm film projectors and Dolby Digital surround sound.
Photography studio
Course content
Year one lays the foundations of the course by helping you to develop your academic and practice-based skills. Core modules will introduce you to screenwriting as well as camera, editing and photographic practices. You’ll then put these into context and build your critical skills with modules on the history and theory of film and communications, and learn more about research in communication and media that can help to inform practice.
In the following year, you’ll expand and enhance your skills as you work on a short film project and take further core modules in photography and cinema. You’ll also begin to specialise in topics that suit your interests, career plans and abilities, with optional modules that range from motion graphics to issues of genre in cinema and the role of technology in communication and the media.
In your final year, you’ll choose from optional modules on topics like audience research, mobile media, documentary journalism and international communication – and you could undertake a four-week work placement to gain hands-on industry experience.
To complete your studies, you’ll work on a major project based on your own interests. You could work on a script, compile a photography portfolio, make a short film (group-based), develop a moving image project or complete a written dissertation on a topic in communication and media.
Have a look at final year projects produced by previous students on this course.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Introduction to Media and Communication Research 20 credits
- Camera and Editing 20 credits
- Introduction to Cinema 20 credits
- Photographic Practices 20 credits
- Screen Narrative 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- The History of Communication 20 credits
- Photographic Histories 20 credits
- Introduction to Media and Communication Theory 20 credits
- Prose: Reading and Interpretation 20 credits
- Race, Writing and Decolonization 20 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Photography Theory and Practice 20 credits
- Cinematic Themes 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Technology in Communication and Media 20 credits
- Podcasting 20 credits
- Communication Skills 20 credits
- Documentary Production 20 credits
- Screen Fiction 20 credits
- Digital Storytelling 20 credits
- Working in Digital Media Teams 20 credits
- Motion Graphics 20 credits
- Short Film Production 20 credits
- Communication Research Methods 20 credits
- Media, Power and Social Justice 20 credits
- Developing Your Professional Identity: Preparing for a Career in Within The Arts, Heritage and Creative Industries 20 credits
- Towards the Future: Skills in Context 20 credits
- Questioning Genre in World Cinemas 20 credits
- Digital Communications Across Cultures 20 credits
Year 3
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- The Documentary and Reality 20 credits
- International Communication 20 credits
- Placement 20 credits
- Feminism, Identity and Media 20 credits
- Understanding the Audience 20 credits
- The Ethnography of Speaking 20 credits
- Popular Music and Society 20 credits
- Internet Policy 20 credits
- Mobile Media 20 credits
- Citizen Media 20 credits
- Climate Communication 20 credits
- Moving Image Project 40 credits
- Script Project 40 credits
- Themes in Contemporary Photography 20 credits
- Global migration, `race? and media 20 credits
- Cinema Project 40 credits
- Photography Project 40 credits
- Communication Dissertation 40 credits
- War and Media 20 credits
- Promotional Culture 20 credits
- Creative Work in the Cultural Industries 20 credits
- Post-War European Cinema: History, Politics and Aesthetics 20 credits
- Cinema in the Digital Era 20 credits
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
You’ll learn under the guidance of academic teaching practitioners and researchers using a range of teaching and learning methods, to give you the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills that you need for a career in this industry. These methods will include practical classes as well as lectures, seminars and tutorials.
In addition, you’ll have a reading list for each module and independent study is a crucial part of the degree, allowing you to develop your own ideas, creativity and understanding. Your tutors will be available during their office hours to discuss any issues or questions that arise.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We use a variety of assessment methods so you can demonstrate different skills. These will include practical production coursework, team presentations, group projects, essays and exams.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB
Other course specific tests:If you’re taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) you may receive an alternative offer alongside a standard offer. In this case, the typical offer would be ABB plus grade A in the EPQ.
You don't need to submit a portfolio of work for this course, but you may consider linking to examples of your work in your personal statement.
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Access to HE Diploma
Offers are made on an individual basis- typically a Pass with 60 credits overall including 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 should be at Distinction and 15 at Merit level.
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BTEC
DDD
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M2
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International Baccalaureate
35 overall
(16 at higher level, with 5 at higher level in English or 6 at standard level). -
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3
AAAABB (pre-2017) -
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers
or
A in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers
or
AAAABB in Highers -
Welsh Baccalaureate
Please note that we don’t currently accept the Welsh Baccalaureate.
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Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate:
80% overall.Find your country to see equivalent international qualifications.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer:
BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.
Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year
If you would like to study arts, humanities, and cultures at university, but don't currently meet the typical entry requirements for direct entry to a degree, you might be eligible to apply for the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year course.
International
Find your country to see equivalent international qualifications.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
We typically receive a high number of applications for this course. To ensure we treat all applications fairly, we may put your application on hold until after the UCAS deadline before making a final decision. All applications received before the UCAS deadline are guaranteed equal consideration.
Read our admissions guidance and see ‘Application decisions’ for details.
All courses in the School involve rigorous theoretical study, research and presentation. All applicants must therefore provide evidence of completing, or working towards completing, a Level 3 (for example, A Level) Arts/Humanities qualification that demonstrates their ability to research a topic and present high quality written work. In some cases, applicants may also be asked to provide examples of completed essays or assignments in order to assess their suitability.
As part of your application, you'll need to submit a personal statement. Read our guidance on writing your personal statement.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
UK: £9,250
International: £22,250 (per year)
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
This course will allow you to develop your creative and technical skills across three different yet related disciplines, along with in-depth theoretical knowledge and important transferable skills in communication, visual and critical awareness, writing, interpretation, project management and research.
Our graduates are recruited by a variety of prestigious companies in different sectors of the media and creative industries, including film and TV production companies, web-based companies and advertising and marketing agencies. Others pursue postgraduate study or freelance work – and some also go on to start their own businesses and form independent production companies.
Careers support
Within the School, we offer opportunities for you to attend talks and workshops led by industry professionals to help you gain insight into a career in the film, photography and media industries.
You can take part in our career mentoring scheme, where you'll be matched with someone working in industry who can give you one-to-one careers advice. Our annual Careers Day also allows you to meet and learn from professionals across the media and communications industries.
Find out more about careers and employability at the School of Media and Communication.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.
If you don’t want to spend a full year on a placement, you can still choose to take the optional placement module, which gives you the chance to spend around four weeks working at a company or organisation within the media or a related industry. We have excellent links with the local, regional and national creative industries, ensuring that you have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience that complements your learning.