Information for Prospective Undergraduate Students

‘Cinema has always been an important part of my life so getting into Warwick was really exciting as the Film and Television Studies Department here has the best reputation in the country. Although the lecturers are intimidatingly knowledgeable in their subject areas, they are really accessible and helpful when it comes to writing those long essays. They also take into account the views of the students; as a member of the student-staff liaison committee I make known to the staff improvements suggested by students. Of course, the degree is only part of the university experience. I am currently involved with two film projects through WarwickTV, have my own radio show and juggle a few sporting commitments. Who needs sleep anyway?’: Sin Popena, second year, Film and Literature

Why study Film and Television?

Cinema was the innovative art form of the 20th century and television that century’s dominant media institution. However, as we continue through the 21st century, it is clear that an understanding of screen media, their history, aesthetics and legacy remain culturally essential.
We live in a world of moving images and understanding how moving images work and circulate has become a very marketable skill.
Film studies has influenced and continued to permeate other disciplines and our aim at Warwick has always been to promote a wide-ranging understanding of film and television within a wider cultural, historical and critical context.

Why Study Film Studies at Warwick?

In both the Guardian and The Times Good University Guides for 2011, Warwick was named as one of the top departments in the UK for studying film and television.
Warwick pioneered the study of film in the UK and was one of the very first universities in the UK to offer degrees in Film and Television Studies. The Department of Film and Television Studies has been at the forefront of the field for nearly 40 years.
We base our teaching on a knowledge of film and television aesthetics, history and theory, but we also as a department embrace other current critical trends.
In the last three National Student Surveys (2008, 2009 and 2010) 94% of undergraduate film students at Warwick declared themselves satisfied with the quality of their course (as compared with an average of 74% across all comparable courses).
In the Government’s Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) of 2008, we received higher scores than any other film department.
We were also one of only seven departments across all disciplines and all universities in the UK to have more than half of their research activities rated 4* (i.e. ‘world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour’).
Our teaching resources are second to none – in 2009 we moved into a purpose-built £3.5 million facility which contains four screening theatres served by 35mm and digital high-definition projection equipment.
You will study film and television with the brightest students in the UK and also from around the world; you will find you learn a great deal from them as well as the academic experts.
95% of students are in work within 6 months of graduating from the Department.

Who will be teaching me?

Modules are especially designed for the degree and are taught by full-time members of staff, all research active and including leading scholars in the field.
Although it’s the best, it is a small department: there are never more than 13 people in a seminar, and the academics know the students
All staff teach undergraduates – no matter how distinguished the academic - giving you access to expertise usually reserved for those studying at doctoral level.

What are the particular areas of expertise of the Department?

Issues of film aesthetics
Documentary film and television
European cinema (particularly British, French, German, Italian and Spanish)
Asian cinema (particularly Japanese)
Contemporary and classical Hollywood cinema
Silent cinema
Costume and fashion in cinema
Gay and lesbian cinema
Feminist film and television theory
Film and modernity
Film and philosophy
Issues of genres and representation in British television
British and American television history
Video art

How will I be taught?

Students attend a screening, followed by a lecture, then usually a further screening in which students re-watch the film or television programme in the light of the lecture and the set reading; and finally seminars in which groups of 8–13 students discuss their views.
Modules are assessed by essays and other less-conventional pieces of written work, as well as end of year examinations. Our courses are rigorously academic, and the pace of assessment will help to prepare you for work.

What is the average amount of contact hours?

24 contact hours and (roughly) one essay per week. In addition, you will be required to spend time reading and viewing in preparation for seminar attendance and assessment.
NB: There is no practical film making component in any of our courses.

What facilities do you have?

Undergraduate modules throughout the three years of the degree are taught by experienced staff in classrooms purpose-built for the teaching of film and television.
Studies are supported by the library’s excellent collection of books and journals and an unmatched collection of over 20,000 films.

What careers can this degree lead to?

Our students typically go on to work in different spheres of film and television production, journalism, advertising, PR, arts administration and also to careers in teaching and research.
A wide range of career choices are available to those who have achieved a Warwick BA in a Humanities subject.

What will I be studying?

Film and Television Studies at Warwick adopts a broad and contemporary approach basing our teaching on a knowledge of film and television aesthetics, history and theory.
We place a particular emphasis on textual analysis i.e. Why was the scene lit in this way? Why was it shot at this angle? What meaning does that style of editing create?

What study options do I have?

FILM AND LITERATURE: The aesthetic and cultural analysis of film and literature

UCAS: QW26 BA/FilLit

Our most established programme, this degree features the relatively new university discipline of Film Studies, complemented by the more traditional discipline of Literature.
On this degree the study of film forms one half of the course, the other half being provided by the Departments of English, German and French.
The degree offers an extensive education in the history, theory and aesthetics of film as well as a good grounding in literary theory and an exploration of literature from the classical period to the present day. Each component of the course is taught separately, and whilst comparative themes are explored, each medium is valued in its own right.

How is the course structured?

For the first two years, you will take two modules from within the Department of Film and Television Studies and two from the other departments, some of which have been devised exclusively for the Film and Literature degree.
In the final year, you will have one core module in film and one option module literature, with the other two option modules allowing you to pursue your particular interests.
Students who achieve good 2.1 grades over their first two years have the opportunity of researching a 10,000 word third-year dissertation.

FILM STUDIES: A visual vocabulary for our times

UCAS: W620 BA/FS

Essential subjects: Advanced or Higher level qualifications (normally grade A) in either English Literature, Film Studies or History

In single honours Film Studies, you will devote your time entirely to the study of film, or branch out into the fields of Television and/or Video Art Studies, or other related subjects.
The degree in Film Studies aims to define and explore the creative potentialities of cinema, closely examining textual features, assessing critically the achievements of major practitioners, the history of key genres and the various theories of film form and meaning.
There is a consideration of the historical, sociological and ideological aspects of cinema, relating film texts to the particular cultures and periods in which they were produced and exploring the significance of genres and stars and the role of technology and economics.
The degree builds on the internationally recognised strengths of the degree Film and Literature sharing with that degree core modules in Film History, Film Criticism, National Cinemas, Hollywood Cinema and Film Aesthetics.

How is the course structured?

You take at least three film modules in each of your three years thus increasing coverage. You are also able to take a higher number of research-led film options in your final year.
You may also elect to study the history, criticism and aesthetics of television, one of the areas in which the department has a leading role in teaching and scholarship.

What are the UCAS course codes?

FILM AND LITERATURE

QW26 BA/FilLit 75

FILM STUDIES

W620 BA/FS 75

FRENCH WITH FILM STUDIES

R1W6 BA/FrFS see page 79

ITALIAN WITH FILM STUDIES

R3W6 BA/ItFS4 see page 100

A full list of modules for all the degree courses in the Faculty of Arts can be found by visiting www.warwick.ac.uk/go/ug

What are the entry requirements?

The typical offers listed below are for 2012 entry. Offer levels are not set until just before the application cycle, so those applying for 2013 entry should go to www.warwick.ac.uk/go/ugoffers to check the latest offer levels.

A level AAB + AS level B.

A levels in Applied Subjects and Mixed Portfolios

Grades required will be similar to those for candidates taking academic A and AS qualifications.

International Baccalaureate 36 points

Scottish Qualifications Advanced Higher AA + Higher BBB in three other subjects.

Cambridge Pre-U D3 D3 M2

Welsh Baccalaureate See page 197

Overseas Qualifications See page 198

Access Courses Access to HE Diploma (QAA-recognised) including appropriate subjects with distinction grades in level 3 units. Substantial study of Literature is essential.

General Studies/Critical Thinking Offers normally exclude General Studies. Critical Thinking is normally accepted to AS level only.

ESSENTIAL SUBJECTS

Film and Literature: Advanced or Higher level qualifications (normally grade A) in either English Literature or a subject with a substantial Literature component.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Gap Year Applications for deferred entry are welcomed.

Interviews All applicants considered for admission are normally interviewed. Separate arrangements can be made for overseas students.

Open Days Applicants invited for interview attend presentations about the Department and its degrees and have conducted tours of the campus.

Admissions +44 (0)24 7652 3723

E-mail ugadmissions@warwick.ac.uk

Where can I find more information on these courses?

WWW.WARWICK.AC.UK/GO/FILM