BA (Hons) Film (Top-up)

Course overview

Our BA (Hons) in Film is designed to develop your creative and technical skills across film and high-end TV production.

This degree enables you to produce and direct your own short film project, whilst also collaborating with other students to develop and perform roles on a professional project. In addition to developing the films, you will explore film distribution and promotion, focusing on getting your work on-screen and into audiences' hands. You will also develop your media literacy, research, and analytical skills, with a particular focus on film style, whilst exploring film through the lenses of art, industry, technology, and culture.

Delivered at our Milton Road campus, our students have access to our sector-leading facilities, including green-screen studios, a Dolby Atmos mixing room, post-production suites and edit booths, and a professional filmmaking kit ready to sign out and use. In addition, all of our students receive a free Adobe Creative Cloud licence while studying with us.

As our programme is validated by Kingston School of Art in London, it allows students with an HND in a relevant Media Production course to gain a BA (Hons) degree in one year, rather than a 2-year top-up from an HND as typically offered by universities in Scotland.

We welcome applicants from all Media Production backgrounds and disciplines looking to specialise in film production, whether fiction or non-fiction. With the Screen Industries growing throughout the UK, achieving this qualification will enhance your film-making skills and help you to thrive in the modern media landscape.

What you will learn

There are three core modules which allow students a great deal of flexibility and creativity in their learning. Students can shape the content in each case to suit their interests, strengths and ambitions.

Research and Analysis: Examining Film Style is worth 25% of the degree. In this module, you will develop a deep understanding of key elements of film style and narrative themes. You will also study film from a technical perspective, including mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, and sound, and learn to analyse their contributions to storytelling.

You will articulate a deeper understanding of how these components shape a film’s meaning and impact, and present your research findings. This module encourages a comprehensive exploration of film style from a global perspective, enhancing both critical thinking and the ability to communicate complex ideas.

Short Film Production makes up a further 25% of the year's work. In this module, you will create your compelling short film, using techniques and stylistic elements informed by your research findings. You will explore your storytelling approaches, whether through character-driven plots or factual documentaries, paired with thoughtful visuals and sound design. Once the concept is defined, you will use advanced film production skills to create a polished final product.

You will prepare to exhibit your work, ensuring it meets professional technical standards and intellectual property regulations, and create accompanying promotional materials, such as posters and trailers, to enhance visibility. Through these activities, you will learn valuable lessons for future professional projects

The Major Project: Final Film accounts for 50% of the work. In this module, you will work with fellow students in a production team to devise, plan and produce a longer film production. You will each play significant roles within your teams, preparing you for working in your chosen area within the professional landscape of filmmaking.

You will be encouraged to utilise the skills learned in other modules within this major project. Your research, knowledge of genre and style, technical filmmaking skills, and understanding of ethics and inclusion will be in evidence in your final product, and you will be encouraged to evaluate your work to a professional industry standard.

How the course is assessed

This is a project-based degree course, where you will predominantly be assessed on your performance across project work.

You will be assessed using a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Project-based creative filmmaking
• Written assessment and self-evaluation
• Practice-based assessment

Entry requirements

Students who have completed either of the following Edinburgh College courses:

• HND Film and Television
• HND Audio Visual Production

Alternatively, applicants may apply if they have the following qualification(s):

• SQCF Level 8 (or equivalent) in a relevant media production course (please contact our admissions team for more information)

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• You may be asked to an interview to assess your suitability for the course.
• Interviews will take place at the Milton Road campus. In some situations, we may allow interviews to take place online via MS Teams.
• We may also ask applicants to provide a portfolio of their previous creative work.

English Proficiency Requirements

IELTS 6 required.Further information regarding IELTS levels and certification is available from our admissions team.

Progression and Articulation Routes

• Post-graduate programmes at various UK universities.

Career options

Professional film industry practice in a variety of roles, such as:

• Film Directing
• Film Producing
• Production Management
• Camera Operation
• Video Editing
• Scriptwriting, etc.

Other career routes include:

• Independent Filmmaking
• Corporate Video Practice
• Community Film Practice