BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts
BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts is a practical filmmaking course that focuses on the craft and aesthetics of contemporary filmmaking. With a focus on cinematic storytelling, the course allows you to design and create storyworlds for a range of audiences, and to gain real insight into the global filmmaking industries.
<p>Within this course you will explore the practical craft skills necessary to succeed as a practical filmmaker or content producer, while being guided from the initial idea to shooting and screening.<br /></p>
Find out more about BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts at Arts University Plymouth.
<ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Degree: BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">UCAS codes: 3-year degree W692 / 4-year Integrated Foundation P311</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">UCAS points: 104–120</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">You’ll explore the practical craft skills necessary to succeed as a practical filmmaker or content producer, including:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Cinematography and lighting design</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Directing and camera operation</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Sound design and mixing</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Production design and art direction</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Editing and post-production</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">In addition to practical skills, you’ll be challenged to consider the societal role of film, the effect of online streaming on cinema, and effective strategies to showcase your work. From the initial idea, to shooting and screening, you’ll be guided to think critically about your creative techniques in the context of culture, society and the broader world.<br /></p>
There’s so much freedom on the film course to try anything you want, I definitely enjoyed being encouraged to get out of my comfort zone and try new things.
Lucie Eckersley
<p dir="ltr">Studying filmmaking in an arts university fosters creative collaborations, leading to the creation of unique works that go beyond traditional film forms, such as screen-based installations, music videos, and site-specific cinema.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Led by a team of practising filmmakers, sound artists and film writers, all areas of your learning are underpinned by critical thinking and cultural enquiry to encourage understanding of how film functions in its many contemporary forms.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Our experienced technicians support your practical learning, and you’ll have access to outstanding facilities, including film and media studios, sound recording and post-production studios, vocal recording booths and foley studio space.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Our Multimedia Studio is stocked with specialist media equipment, including Arri Alexa, Black Magic Ursa, 8mm film cameras, Arri Super 16mm cinema cameras and a Blackmagic Cintel film scanner, camera rigs, specialist lighting kit, sound-recording kit and much more.<br /></p>
<ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Practical filmmaking is at the heart of what and how we study. Expect practical skills and workshops covering all filmmaking roles.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Access to professional filmmaking equipment, from motion-picture film cameras to industry-standard digital cinema cameras. Studio facilities include an infinity green screen cove, sound-recording studio and editing workstations in class.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Filmmaking is at the centre of every unit and you will be asked to experiment and develop methods of practice that match your creative intentions. Whether on location or in the studio, you will be confidently in control of the work you make.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Encouragement to enter film festivals in the UK, Europe and beyond, as well as the opportunity to showcase work in an on-site independent cinema.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Students benefit from our partnership with Real Ideas, which provides opportunities to create and screen 360-degree content in Europe’s first-of-its-kind immersive dome, also compatible with VR, augmented reality and mixed reality.</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">Career opportunities include: Independent Filmmakers, Commercial Filmmakers, Documentary Filmmakers, Artist Filmmakers, Directors, Producers, Production Designers, Cinematographers, Scriptwriters, Editors, Location Managers, Researchers, Post-Production Specialists and Sound Designers.<br /></p>
<p>It’s a practical filmmaking course focused on the craft and aesthetics of contemporary filmmaking, with cinematic storytelling at its core.</p>
<p>You’ll develop practical craft skills including cinematography and lighting design, directing and camera operation, sound design and mixing, production design and art direction, and editing and post-production.</p>
<p>Yes. Alongside practical skills, you’ll be challenged to consider the societal role of film, the effect of online streaming on cinema, and effective strategies to showcase your work.</p>
<p>Yes. From the initial idea to shooting and screening, you’ll be guided to think critically about your creative techniques in the context of culture, society and the broader world.</p>
<p>Studying filmmaking in an arts university fosters creative collaborations that can lead to unique works beyond traditional film forms, such as screen-based installations, music videos and site-specific cinema.</p>
<p>You’ll have access to film and media studios, sound recording and post-production studios, vocal recording booths and foley studio space, supported by experienced technicians.</p>
<p>The Multimedia Studio includes specialist equipment such as Arri Alexa, Black Magic Ursa, 8mm film cameras, Arri Super 16mm cinema cameras, a Blackmagic Cintel film scanner, camera rigs, specialist lighting kit and sound-recording kit.</p>
<p>Yes. You’ll be encouraged to enter film festivals in the UK, Europe and beyond, and to showcase work in an on-site independent cinema.</p>
<p>Through a partnership with Real Ideas, you can create and screen 360-degree content in Europe’s first-of-its-kind immersive dome, compatible with VR, augmented reality and mixed reality.</p>
<p>Career opportunities include Independent Filmmakers, Commercial Filmmakers, Documentary Filmmakers, Artist Filmmakers, Directors, Producers, Production Designers, Cinematographers, Scriptwriters, Editors, Location Managers, Researchers, Post-Production Specialists and Sound Designers.</p>
Behind the scenes with Marek Kawula, BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts student 2020
<ul><li><a href="https://www.asff.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aesthetica Short Film Festival</a></li><li><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/visit/plymouth-arts-cinema">Plymouth Arts Cinema</a></li><li><a href="https://twofour.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TwoFour</a></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts students responded especially positively to National Student Survey (NSS) 2026 questions about teaching, assessment feedback, academic support and library resources. Responding students gave <strong>100% positive responses to 3 of the 27 individual questions</strong> and responded positively at <strong>90% or above to 13 of the 27 questions</strong>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Film & Screen Arts students gave <strong>100% positive responses</strong> to the questions:</p>
<p dir="ltr">“How good are teaching staff at explaining things?”<br />“How often have you received assessment feedback on time?”<br />“How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Students also responded positively at <strong>91.7%</strong> to questions including “How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?”, “To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?”, “How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?”, “How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?” and “How well have teaching staff supported your learning?”<br /></p>
Jack Kruyswijk, Impact Film
<p>If you’re considering postgraduate study after your degree, our partnership with the Royal College of Art supports graduates of this course with application guidance and portfolio preparation for relevant RCA programmes.</p>
<p>Your undergraduate degree is taught and awarded by Arts University Plymouth. Applications to the RCA follow its normal admissions process, and applicants must meet the entry requirements for their chosen programme.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/royal-college-of-art-progression">Explore the RCA progression route and scholarships for 2027/28 entry</a>.</p>
<p>This degree is also available as a four-year <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/integrated-foundation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integrated Foundation</a> option. Our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/integrated-foundation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integrated Foundation</a> provides you with a preparatory year that will support your creative development, through a broad understanding of art, design and media skills relevant to your chosen degree subject. Learning through experimentation, exploration and discovery will support you in progressing to the next level of your degree at Arts University Plymouth.</p>
<p>All students at Arts University Plymouth can access specialist support via our Student Support Team. Our trained advisers offer information and guidance on student finance and funding, disability support, counselling and more. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/disability-support-and-reasonable-adjustments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a> to read more about the support we offer.</p>
<ul><li><strong>Email:</strong> <a href="mailto:admissions@aup.ac.uk">admissions@aup.ac.uk</a> / <a href="mailto:film@aup.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">film@aup.ac.uk</a><strong><br /></strong></li><li><strong>Tel</strong>: +44 (0)1752 203434</li><li><strong>Instagram: </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aup_filmandscreenarts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@aup_filmandscreenarts</a></li></ul>
<p>After graduating from BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts, you could continue your studies at Arts University Plymouth on one of the postgraduate courses listed below. Our graduates are entitled to a 15% discount on tuition fees for our MA programmes.</p>
<p>Through our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/royal-college-of-art-progression">partnership with the Royal College of Art</a>, graduates of this course can also access application guidance and portfolio preparation for relevant RCA postgraduate programmes.</p>
