Overview
The UK film industry is growing, estimated to increase by 4% from 2022 to 2026 (UK Film Industry Statistics (2023) I Social Films) helped by streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The industry welcomes all kinds of filmmakers from small studios making indie films, to big companies creating blockbusters. Everyone can find their place in UK film.
The city of Stirling has received funding for a high-tech film studio, which will benefit our students. The new facilities are expected to attract major TV and movie production companies, as well as providing career opportunities for those keen to join or further their positions in the film and media industry.
What you'll learn
At the University of Stirling, we are a leader in film and media studies. You will:
- learn from experts about film history and theory;
- get hands-on with audio production and video editing;
- experience documentary filmmaking and screenwriting;
- explore podcasting and digital media.
Hands-on experience
You'll use real industry equipment and:
- work in our state-of-the-art newsroom;
- create shows for our campus TV and radio stations;
- join our filmmaking and videography society.
Expert teaching
- Learn from experts in film and media studies, with significant industry experience.
- Meet industry experts who visit regularly, including guests from the BBC, Sky TV and popular podcasts.
- Get real-world insights to prepare you for your career through networking and project work.
Top reasons to study with us
Prizes or awards
The Kat Lindner Prize was inaugurated in 2022 to commemorate the memory of our inspirational Film and Media colleague Kat Lindner, who will be remembered by so many as both an international footballer and world-leading scholar. The Kat Lindner Prize recognises exceptional undergraduate and postgraduate student work with a focus on applied research or placement projects based around field work, creative practice, voluntary or community projects in the field of gender/LGBTQ+ studies and feminism. The prize is awarded annually and, reflecting Kat's inclusive views, is open not only to students working in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, but those across the whole university.
The Thomas Dunn Prize awarded for the best academic performance by a graduating student. Tommy Dunn was the first professor of English Studies at Stirling and played a significant role in the establishment of Film & Media at the University.
The Dee Amy-Chinn Prize is awarded for the best undergraduate dissertation in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in the area of gender or feminist studies (single or combined honours). This prize is named for our late and much-missed colleague, Dee Amy-Chinn, one of the founders of our Gender Studies Masters programme, in lasting recognition of all Dee's wonderful work as a feminist researcher and teacher.
The Jonathan Witchell Prize for Best Radio Features Production is a memorial prize, donated by the family of former student Jonathan Witchell who died suddenly in 2007. Jonathan was a graduate of the MSc in Media Management (1997). After graduating, Jonathan began a career in radio and worked for the BBC for nearly a decade.
The Mediaspec Radio Prize, which is awarded to the best individual student of radio in 4th year.
The Faculty of Arts & Humanities Research Based Learning Prize which is awarded for the best overall dissertation.
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Scottish HNC / HND
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
In Semesters 1-5, you’ll learn vital skills in different aspects of film and media analysis through core modules that include: Reading Film and Television; Digital Media and Culture; and Understanding Audiences.
Semesters 5-8 will cover selected modules ranging from Screenwriting, to Feminism and Television, Media Futures, Global Film and Philosophy, Screening Science Fiction, Documentary Film and Television
Semesters 5-8 also offer regular production modules that build your core skills in areas such as: Editing and Workflow; and Content Development and Research.
The production strands ends in Semester 8 with Documentary Production. The academic strand offers an original Research Dissertation or Screenwriting Dissertation option to end in Semester 8.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
Lectures, seminars, workshops, group projects and presentations all feature in learning and teaching provision, and industry practitioners frequently deliver elements of the course.
Assessment
Throughout your Film and Media course, you’ll be assessed via a combination of exams, essays, individual and group practical assignments, creative projects and a final-year dissertation.
Study abroad
As a University of Stirling student, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Dr David Fleming, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Your future in film and media
The film and media world is growing fast. You'll learn about media industries and gain practical skills that employers love. The skills you learn can be used anywhere in the world.
With services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, there are many jobs in content, media, and film production. Graduates can go onto work in:
- Advertising and public relations
- Digital content creation
- Film and video editor
- Broadcast presenting
- Film directing
- Location management
- Production and set design
- Programme researcher
- Camera operator
- Production
- Radio broadcast assistant
- Audio content producer
- Radio producer
- Podcast producer
Award-winning graduates
Our former students have won significant awards:
- BAFTAs for investigative reporting, production, and writing
- Emmys for visual effects in film and TV
- Sony Gold Radio Academy awards for BBC Radio 1 shows
Where our graduates work
Some of our alumni are employed at:
- BBC Radio 1
- Virgin Media
- STV
- The British Youth Film Academy
- Penguin Books
- British Sky Broadcasting Limited