2026/27 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BA Film Studies

Programme overview

Programme code
BA-FILM/STD
UCAS code
P303
Duration
3 Years
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Mani King Sharpe
Contact address
M.Sharpe@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
360
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
Languages, Cultures and Societies
Examination board through which the programme will be considered
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups
Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

The programme will give you a unique insight into film culture and how cinematic images mediate societies. Throughout the programme, you will be given the opportunity to explore the richness of world cinemas and gain in-depth knowledge of historical, theoretical, and intercultural approaches to the study of film, as well as the essential communication, research and evaluation skills valued by employers.

Our BA Film Studies begins with structured study across a number of bespoke compulsory modules that introduce you to the foundations of the discipline and to other forms of audio-visual culture. You will find out more about the history, language and art of film as a global industry and develop a toolbox of analytical methods and skills.

At levels 2 and 3, core modules will enable you to develop skills in a range of critical approaches to the study of film, and our wide range of options will encourage you to actively pursue your own passion for film by choosing modules that interest you the most. In addition to modules about film culture, genre and the power of film to shape the world we live in, you will have the opportunity to draw on the wider expertise of the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies in world cinemas by choosing modules such as French, German, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian and Japanese cinemas.

Across all levels, our BA Film Studies offers research-led teaching from enthusiastic experts in the field. It also offers innovative assessment methods such as sequence analyses, creative logs, and video essays. It finally includes a considerable element of research-based learning that culminates in an independent research project of your choice at Level 3. This may take the form of a dissertation or a podcast.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
FILM1700Introduction to Film Studies I20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FILM1800Introduction to Film Studies II20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)PFP
MODL1050Introduction to Audio-Visual Culture20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Candidates are required to study a minimum of 20 credits and may take up to 40 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
FILM1900Directing World Cinemas20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MUS1231Film Music20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Candidates may study up to 20 credits from the following list of optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
MODL1070World Histories20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL1090Intercultural Competence: Theory and Application20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL1100Politics, Culture and Society20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL1150Worlds of Literature20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL1401Discourse, Culture and Identity20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
FILM2055Critical Approaches to Screen Studies20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP

Optional Modules

Basket 1: Themes and Issues in Film Studies

Candidates are required to study a minimum of 40 credits and may study up to 60 credits from the following list of optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CLAS2450Screening Antiquity20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
COMM2850Cinematic Themes20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FILM2015Women’s Authorship in World Cinema20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM2040The Video Essay: Theory and Practice20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FILM2115Film Programming and Exhibition: Curating for Cinemas and Festivals20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM2230Questioning Genre in World Cinemas20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 2: Regional and National Cinemas

Candidates are required to study a minimum of 20 and may study up to 60 credits from the following list of optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
EAST2360Chinese Cinema20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST2715Japanese Cinema in the World20Not running in 202627
FILM2020From Brazil to Africa: World Cinemas in Portuguese20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
FILM2030Introduction to German Cinema20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM2110Cinema in France: The Seventh Art20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM2202Screening Italy: Neorealist cinema to Netflix20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
FILM2515Issues in Hispanic Cinema20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 3: Cultures beyond Film Studies

Candidates may study up to 40 credits from the following list of optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
FOAH2020Towards the Future: Skills in Context20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2003Global Queer Politics and Cultures20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL2006Social Class across Cultures20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2015Black Europe20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2070Reception, Transmission and Translation: The Global Circulation of Literature20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2075Global Environmental Humanities20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL2250Digital Communications Across Cultures20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

Candidates may also study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
FILM3055Current Enquiries into Film Studies20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)PFP
MODL3050Final Year Project40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP

Optional Modules

Basket 1: Film Studies

Candidates are required to study a minimum of 20 and may study up to 60 credits from the following list of optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CLAS3450Screening Antiquity20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
COMM3120Film Theory and Aesthetics20Not running in 202627
EAST3350Japanese Cinema in the World20Not running in 202627
FILM3026Contemporary German Cinema20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FILM3027Post-War European Cinema: History, Politics and Aesthetics20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM3040Hollywood and its Others20 
FILM3050Queer Films on Global Screens20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM3230Cinema in the Digital Era20Not running in 202627

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Basket 2: Cultures beyond Film Studies

Candidates may study up to 40 credits from the following lists of optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
MODL3200Representing the Holocaust: Transgression and the Taboo20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL3410Contemporary World Literature20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL3620Decolonial Approaches20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL3630Social Movements across Cultures20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL3650Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

Candidates may also study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Last updated: 08/05/2026 16:50:27

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