Film Studies

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary:

• Develop your passion for film by learning from industry experts.

• Study films from around the world and explore the changing nature of cinema.

• Kickstart your career with accredited work placements.

• Benefit from our state-of-the-art cinema facilities, specially designed to show films in a range of formats.

We’re proud to be one of the longest-established film studies courses in the UK. You’ll study a wide range of disciplines, from critical thinking skills to genre films – all while examining the changing face of the cinema industry. You’ll have hands-on opportunities to develop a rich professional profile and gain specialist skills in film programming, film education and film journalism.

How you learn:

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Our team of experts will help you gain in-depth knowledge while nurturing the skills you need – in everything from film criticism to festival curation. When you’re ready, we’ll introduce you to our professional network, opening real-world opportunities for you to gain experience in the film and cultural industries.

You learn through

• film festivals

• film screenings

• video essays

• film programming and marketing

• professional writing portfolios

• lectures

• seminars

• presentations

Applied learning

Work placements and live projects

You’ll collaborate with a wide network of industry, charity, and community partners — showcasing your knowledge and skills. You’ll work independently and in diverse teams at each stage of your study, bringing your ideas to life in response to real briefs. In your second year you’ll curate and build your professional profile, by taking a credit-bearing placement in collaboration with one of our partners that connects your work with audiences.

Field trips

We run regular field trips to film festivals and cinema visits. Our students have visited Berlin Film Festival, Salford MediaCity, Bradford WideScreen Weekend, BFI Southbank, and participated in Sheffield Doc/Fest, Celluloid Screams, Sensoria, and Festival of Debate.

Networking opportunities

We work with nationally and internationally renowned festivals such as Doc/Fest, Celluloid Screams, and Off the Shelf, as well as bringing leading talent in film programming, film journalism, and film festival organisers to Sheffield to work with our students. You’ll benefit from regular networking opportunities and masterclass events, and get a head start into the creative industries.

We invite specialist speakers from different cultural sectors to talk to our students about professional careers in film.

We’ve previously welcomed

• Pamela Hutchinson – Freelance writer for Sight and Sound

• Melanie Iredale – Deputy Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest

• Mikeala Smith – Programme Manager, Showroom Cinema

• Ricky Charlesworth – Teacher in Film and Media, Rotherham College

• Lewis Coates – Screenwriter, director, and videographer

• Isabelle France – Film Marketing, Showroom Cinema

• Jaq Chell – Head of Operations, Cinema For All

We have a strong alumni network and will encourage you to connect with a variety of external partners to better understand the career and professional opportunities open to you. Our careers services are available from your very first day and support you beyond graduation. Expert advisers can help you discover future careers, develop your professional skills, and help you to stand out when you apply for jobs.

You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career.

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Important notice: The structure for this course is currently being reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment are all likely to change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Once the changes have been confirmed, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Cinema And Genre
Cinemania
Film Analysis
Film Consumption
Film Movements
Thinking About Movies

Year 2

Compulsory modules

British Cinema
Ideas Into Action
World-Wide Cinema

Elective modules

On The Box
Rights, Camera, Action
Screen Storytelling
Show Business

Year 3

Optional modules

Placement Year

Final year

Compulsory modules

Film Dissertation

Elective modules

Film Education
Film Programming
Framing Borders
My Kind Of Movie
Professional Film Writing
Telly Visions

Coursework