Department of Film and Television Studies

Cinema was the innovative art form of the 20th century, and television that century’s dominant media institution. However, in 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 images and understanding how images work and circulate has become a very marketable skill.

Why Study Film and Television Studies At Warwick?

In national newspaper university guides for 2012, Warwick was named as the one of the best departments in the UK for studying film and television.

Warwick was one of the very first universities in the UK to offer degrees in Film and Television Studies, and the Department of Film and Television Studies has been at the forefront of the field for over 30 years.

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.

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.

In the last National Student Survey (2011), 93% of undergraduate film students at Warwick declared themselves satisfied with the quality of their course.

Luisa Buellesbach

Student Profile: Luisa Buellesbach,

2nd year, Film Studies

'The Film Studies course is about much more than just watching films. It has provided me with wide knowledge of the history and technology of cinema, as well as introducing theories and intellectual debate surrounding the medium. The research skills I have acquired are useful, even necessary, for many media jobs, such as documentary, fiction filmmaking and concept development.

I was able to continue my Japanese studies at the Language Centre and start learning French. Because of the number of international students here, I have been able to practice using both languages with native speakers. The international community is one of Warwick’s greatest aspects. There are representatives of almost every nationality here and it has been extremely interesting to learn about life in other countries'.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 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* (‘world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour’).

Undergraduate modules throughout the three years of the degree are taught in a purpose-built £3.5 million facility, containing four screening theatres served by 35mm and digital high-definition projection equipment.

Studies are supported by the library’s excellent collection of books and journals and an unmatched collection of over 20,000 films.

Students who achieve high 2:1 grades over their first two years have the opportunity of researching a 10,000 word third-year dissertation.

How Will I Be Taught?

You will attend a screening, followed by a lecture, then a further screening in which students can review the film or television programme in the light of the lecture and the set reading; finally there are seminars in which groups of 8–10 students discuss their views. NB: There is no practical film making component in any of our courses.

How Will I Be Assessed?

You will be assessed via a combination of assessed essays and examinations.

What Opportunities Are There To Study Abroad?

The Department has no formal arrangement for study abroad but supports students who wish to propose individual arrangements.

What Careers Can A Warwick Degree In Film Studies 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.