BA (Hons) Film and Media

Our Film and Media degree ranks among the best in the country. Study in Stirling and master the critical, theoretical and practical skills you'll need for a range of professional and media roles.

Film and Media

Key facts

  • Award BA (Hons)
  • Start date September 2024, January 2025
  • Duration 48 months
  • Mode of study full time, part time
  • Delivery on campus
  • UCAS Code P300
  • Study abroad opportunities

Overview

Bringing together theory and practice, our Film and Media course draws from the University of Stirling’s legacy as a pioneer in Film and Media research and teaching. 

This course not only ensures you’re taught in theoretical and critical aspects of the subject area by world-leading and internationally recognised experts, but also have the opportunity to become fully trained in practicalities such as audio production, video editing, screenwriting and more. Our emphasis on all-round training means you’ll graduate ready to follow in the footsteps of previous Stirling students who have forged successful careers in a range of media roles – from broadcasting and publishing, to advertising and public relations.

You’ll study in a stimulating environment marked by world-class teaching and invaluable opportunities to be part of our campus television, filmmaking and radio stations. There are also regular visits from members of our professional advisory board – who are experts able to bring crucial insights from the front-line of industry directly to you. Adding flexibility to your studies, you can combine Film and Media with a wide range of other courses, and tailor your degree to match your unique interests and ambitions.

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 - by the end of S5
AABBB - by the end of S6

GCE A-levels
BBB

IB Diploma
30

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 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, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 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) 56 overall with a minimum of 51 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, our partner INTO University of Stirling 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

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

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.

Find out more about studying abroad.

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Academic year: 2023/24 2024/25
Scottish students £1,820 £1,820
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
International students (including EU) £16,400 £17,200

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 £9,250 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. 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.

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.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling.

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

What jobs can you get with a Film and Media degree?

Many Film and Media students from the University of Stirling have established successful careers in media roles spanning broadcast and print journalism, television, radio and film production, media management, advertising, public relations and education. Some of our Film and Media graduates are currently working for the following organisations:

  • BBC Radio 1
  • Virgin Media
  • STV
  • The British Youth Film Academy
  • Penguin Books
  • British Sky Broadcasting Limited

Differentiating it from other film courses, our Film and Media degree develops a broad understanding of the media industries, together with practical abilities that help make you more employable. Our graduates have won many awards in a variety of media specialisms: for instance, as BAFTA winners in investigative reporting, programme production and scriptwriting. Alumni have also received Emmy awards for visual effects production in film and TV, and Sony Gold Radio Academy awards for BBC Radio 1 documentaries.

  • Get the edge in the job market by mixing your Film and Media studies with a range of other courses.
  • Take advantage of the chance to boost your employability with invaluable skills in production, editing, writing and more.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

What our students said

Pamela Nxumalo
Pamela Nxumalo
South Africa
BA (Hons) Film and Media
My biggest push was representation and diversity. I want to see more people who look like me – and people who don't look like me. I hope to see more people I've never seen on television being represented.
Read Pamela's story
Gavin Sturgeon
BA (Hons) Film and Media
I've had great life experiences and once in a lifetime opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible without the valuable lessons, practical elements and the valuable teaching climate that the University of Stirling offers.
Read Gavin's story
Tamara Olori
Tamara Olori
Scotland
BA (Hons) Film & Media and Journalism Studies
After visiting the city for the first time on the open day and falling in love with the beautiful campus and facilities, I knew it was the place for me.
Read Tamara's story

Flexible study

Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 170 course combinations.

Film and Media can be combined with any of the following courses:
Course nameUCAS code
Business Studies UCAS code for this combination: NP13
English Studies UCAS code for this combination: QP33
French UCAS code for this combination: RP13
History UCAS code for this combination: PV31
Journalism Studies UCAS code for this combination: PP35
Marketing UCAS code for this combination: PN35
Philosophy UCAS code for this combination: VP53
Politics UCAS code for this combination: PL32
Psychology UCAS code for this combination: CP83
Sociology UCAS code for this combination: LP33
Spanish and Latin American Studies UCAS code for this combination: RP43

For a combined honours degree where the two subjects have different entry requirements, you will usually be asked to meet the higher entry requirement.

Find out more about degree flexibility and how you can take combined courses.