BA (HONOURS) Film Studies at Sheffield Hallam University

• Develop your passion for film by learning from experts
• Study films from around the world and explore the changing nature of cinema
• Kick-start your career with accredited work placements
• Benefit from our state-of-the-art cinema facilities, specially designed to show films in a range of formats, including 35mm and 4K DCP projection

We are proud to be one of the longest-established Film Studies courses in the UK. You’ll study world-wide cinema, critical thinking skills, genre films, while exploring the changing face of the cinema industry. You’ll have hands-on opportunities to enhance your professional profile and specialise in film programming, film education, and film journalism.

Find out more about student projects and opportunities on the Film Studies website. 

Our team of film experts will help you specialise in film knowledge and industry so you become skilled in a vast range of areas from film criticism to film festival curation. 

Our external networks create opportunities for you to connect with professional partners, gaining valuable real-world experience in the film and cultural industries.

You learn through

• film festivals 
• film screenings
• video essays
• film programming and marketing
• professional writing portfolios 
• lectures
• seminars
• presentations

Have the opportunity to study and work abroad and gain hands-on experience of the education environment – with the possibility of Erasmus funding being available to support costs for overseas study.

Work placements and live projects

You’ll collaborate with a wide network of industry, charity, and community partners — showcasing your knowledge and skills. You’ll work independently and in diverse teams at each stage of your study, bringing your ideas to life in response to real briefs. In your second year you’ll curate and build your professional profile, by taking a credit-bearing placement in collaboration with one of our partners that connects your work with audiences.

Field trips

We run regular field trips to film festivals and cinema visits. Our students have visited Berlin Film Festival, Salford MediaCity, Bradford WideScreen Weekend, BFI Southbank, and participated in Sheffield Doc/Fest, Celluloid Screams, Sensoria, and Festival of Debate.

Networking opportunities

We work with nationally and internationally renowned festivals such as Doc/Fest, Celluloid Screams, and Off the Shelf, as well as bringing leading talent in film programming, film journalism, and film festival organisers to Sheffield to work with our students. You’ll benefit from regular networking opportunities and masterclass events, and get a head start into the creative industries.

We invite specialist speakers from different cultural sectors to talk to our students about professional careers in film.

We’ve previously welcomed

• Pamela Hutchinson – Freelance writer for Sight and Sound
• Melanie Iredale – Deputy Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest
• Mikeala Smith – Programme Manager, Showroom Cinema
• Ricky Charlesworth – Teacher in Film and Media, Rotherham College
• Lewis Coates – Screenwriter, director, and videographer
• Isabelle France – Film Marketing, Showroom Cinema
• Jaq Chell – Head of Operations, Cinema For All

We have a strong alumni network and will encourage you to connect with a variety of external partners to better understand the career and professional opportunities open to you. Our careers services are available from your very first day and support you beyond graduation. Expert advisers can help you discover future careers, develop your professional skills, and help you to stand out when you apply for jobs.

You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

• film journalism
• teaching in film and media
• film programming and curation
• events management
• arts administration
• community development
• the cultural industries

Our Film Studies graduates have gone into exciting careers in

• Sheffield Doc/Fest
• Queen’s Film Theatre
• Film Hub North
• Showroom Cinema
• Sky Sports
• Site Gallery
• Rotherham College