Program Overview

Filmmaking BA (Hons)

Overview

The Filmmaking BA (Hons) course at St Mary's University is a hands-on program that integrates filmmaking, acting, and live production. Students will learn in an environment that fosters creativity, technical excellence, and personal wellbeing.

Why St Mary's?

• Expert teaching and support: Lecturers are experienced industry professionals and current practitioners, providing one-to-one support in small class sizes.
• Make London your classroom: The campus is located in the green and picturesque London borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, offering opportunities to explore the capital's diverse film industry.
• State-of-the-art facilities: Students will access specialist facilities like the Media Production Suite and computer labs.
• Work experience: Opportunities to complete work experience and build skills and network in the film industry.
• Great graduate outcomes: Over decades of film modules, the university has produced internationally recognized short films and graduates who have established successful careers within film and media.

Course Content

Modules

These modules are illustrative of what may be offered for 2025/26:

• Year 1
  • Film Style and Form (Core)
  • The Design Process (Core)
  • Cinema History (Core)
  • Digital Production 1 (Core)
  • Digital design (Core)
  • Sound (Optional)
  • Lighting (Optional)
• Year 2
  • Documentary production (Core)
  • Screenwriting I (Core)
  • Digital Production 2 (Core)
  • Motion Graphics (Core)
  • North American cinema
  • Set Design and Props (Optional)
  • Professional practice
  • Screen theory and criticism
  • Costume
  • Screen Acting I (Optional)
• Year 3
  • Digital Production III (Core)
  • Finance and Funding in the Arts (Core)
  • Screenwriting II (Core)
  • Industry placement (Core)
  • Professional practice
  • Paradox of horror
  • Sci-fi and fantasy

How the Degree is Taught

• Contact time: 70%
• Independent study: 30%
• Teaching methods: Lectures, seminars, practice-based workshops
• Assessment methods: Essays, practice portfolios
• Feedback: Provided within 15 working days

Entry Requirements

• 2025 and 2026 entries
  • Start date: September 2026
  • Standard offer: 112 UCAS points
  • Contextual offer: 96 UCAS points
• International requirements: Check country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language, you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).
• A passion for film and filmmaking: Required

Fees & Funding

• Tuition fees
  • Home: £9,535
  • International: £17,100
• Additional costs: Depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken
• Scholarships: Available to undergraduate students
• Living costs: A guide to living costs has been created by the Student Funding Team

Career Opportunities

• Transferrable skills: Critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork
• Job roles and areas of work: Director, assistant director, producer, script writer, developer, or supervisor, continuity supervisor, production manager, runner, camera operator, location manager, editor, sound operator, marketing manager
• Career Services: Contact for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities

Apply Now

• UCAS application: Required for students living in the United Kingdom and Ireland
• Direct application: Available for students living outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland
• Transferring from another institution: Instructions available for students who wish to transfer from another university