Julian Ross: 2009 Graduate in Film Studies
"QMUL is a campus university located in the East End of London. I feel the best place to study film in the UK is in London, for the range of cinemas and libraries it offers. QMUL tutors also support external activities, and I did an internship at the BFI and at various film festivals. I am forever grateful for my tutors’ advice on essay-planning and encouragement for individual research, as it has undoubtedly helped me prepare for my postgraduate research at the University of Leeds."
Undergraduate study in the Department of Film Studies
Why study film at Queen Mary?
- You will gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the history, practice and theory of film and of cinema as an international industry.
- Through the study of film you will learn about the history, politics and economics of different nations (including European and Latin American countries and the USA), thereby gaining insight into a range of cultures and disciplines that will serve you well in an increasingly global market.
- You will learn about the key technical and practical aspects of film production.
- You will gain practical experience of making films.
- You will receive a rigorous training in viewing, reading and thinking critically and presenting your ideas lucidly in oral or written form, which are fundamental transferable skills highly valued by employers.
- You will receive advice on how to gain work experience in the film industry, which can give you an edge in a competitive job market.
- You will be situated in the heart of London’s culturally dynamic East End, within easy reach of the city’s many specialist cinema and research venues, including the National Film Theatre, the Ciné-Lumière (at the French Institute), The Institute of Contemporary Arts and the British Film Institute.
Who we are
We are the Department of Film Studies, situated within the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film, a large and vibrant community, with about 450 students at any one time.
What we offer
Queen Mary offers the following types of degree programme involving Film Studies:
- Single Honours (studying mainly Film with a practical production strand)
- Combined Honours (studying Film with another Arts subject such as History, English, Comparative Literature, Drama, or a modern language)
If you want more details, please see the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film website.
But the keynote of studying Film at Queen Mary is flexibility. You may begin, for example, by studying for a degree in History and Film Studies, change direction as you develop new strengths and interests and graduate with a Single Honours degree in Film Studies. In other words, there is room for manoeuvre, and the degree title awarded is decided in the light of what you have actually studied.
How good are we?
Our students will tell you – in their view, the Film Studies degree programme at Queen Mary offers an excellent educational experience. In recent National Student Surveys (NSS), film studies at Queen Mary has rated consistently highly in terms of overall student satisfaction and in terms of the quality of teaching across the programme. Our strong showing in the NSS has been reflected in our continued ‘league table’ success. Queen Mary was placed 5th nationally out of 90 UK institutions in the Times Good University Guide 2012 table for Communication and Media Studies, and we ranked 6th out of 86 institutions in the UK in the Guardian University guide for 2012 for the subject of "Media studies, communications and librarianship". Both tables cover film and journalism programmes at Queen Mary.
Will you get a job after graduating?
Film Studies
Potential careers include directly related fields like film and television, especially on the production side. You’ll also be well placed for jobs in the media sector generally: journalism, public relations, advertising, new media and so on. Careers demanding good communications skills, such as teaching, personnel management and marketing will be open to you, plus, of course, many other graduate careers for which a specific degree is not needed, from management consultancy and accountancy to finance and law. Every year we have lots of students who go on to study further at postgraduate level (be warned – film studies can be addictive!).
Film Studies and a Language
Graduating in film studies and a language leads to an exciting range of job opportunities. Whether you choose a film-related career or not you’ll have plenty of useful skills: analysing material; researching topics; in practical/production work; in using your imagination and creativity; and as an expert communicator in both verbal and visual language. In an increasingly globalised world which depends on effective communication and a multi-cultural awareness your fluency and confidence in a foreign language are essential. Film studies allows privileged access to a range of cultures and disciplines. Your training in the analysis and interpretation of material as well as in report-writing and team work provide you with valuable group-working and presentation skills that an employer can use in whatever field you choose. Our graduates are attracted to directions as diverse as the production side of film and television, the media, journalism, advertising, banking, multinational corporations, marketing, PR, sales, management consultancies, the diplomatic service, publishing, teaching, law, computing, library management etc. A number of students each year also go on to study further at postgraduate level.
Comparative Literature and Film Studies
The employment prospects for graduates of Comparative Literature and Film Studies look very exciting. The skills that students on these programmes acquire are highly transferable to the professional market place. Graduates of this programme are particularly well-equipped for careers in publishing, journalism, the broadcast media, and, of course, the film industry.
Film Studies and English
Potential careers include directly related fields like film and television, especially in production or creative sectors. You’ll also be well placed for jobs in the media sector generally: journalism, public relations, advertising, new media and so on. Careers demanding good communications skills, such as teaching, publishing and arts programming will be open to you, plus, of course, many other graduate careers for which a specific degree is not needed, from management consultancy and accountancy to finance and law.
Film Studies and Drama
Potential careers include directly related fields like film and television, especially in production or creative sectors. You’ll also be well placed for jobs in the media sector generally: journalism, public relations, advertising, new media and so on. Careers demanding good communications skills, such as teaching, publishing and arts programming will be open to you, plus, of course, many other graduate careers for which a specific degree is not needed, from management consultancy and accountancy to finance and law.
Film Studies and History
Graduates in Film Studies and History will have developed the skills of analysis, communication and presentation that make History graduates attractive to employers in education, journalism, finance, the Civil Service and other professions. Additionally, they will have developed a knowledge of film history, criticism and analysis that will be beneficial in seeking employment in television and film companies, journalism and cultural institutions.
Entry requirements
Please refer to our detailed entry requirements for Film Studies.
Further information
If you have any queries, please contact:
Julia Rollitt
School of Languages, Linguistics and Film
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 8331
Fax: +44 (0)20 8980 5400
email: sllf-ug@qmul.ac.uk
For further information you can also call the Enquiries Hotline (UK callers only) on Freephone 0800 376 1800. International students should contact the Admissions and Recruitment Office
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 5511
email: admissions@qmul.ac.uk
www.qmul.ac.uk/international