Film, Photography and Media, BA, University of Leeds

Course content

Year 1 lays the foundations of the course by helping you to develop your academic and practice-based skills. Core modules will introduce you to screenwriting as well as camera, editing and photographic practices. You'll then put these into context and build your critical skills with modules on the history and theory of film and communications, and learn more about research in communication and media that can help to inform practice.

In the following year you'll expand and enhance your skills as you work on a short film project and take further core modules in photography and cinema. You'll also begin to specialise in topics that suit your interests, career plans and abilities, with optional modules that range from motion graphics to PR, issues of genre in cinema and the role of technology in communication and the media.

By your final year, you'll be in a position to work on a major project born out of your own interests. You could work on a script, compile a photography portfolio, make a short film (group based), develop a moving image project or complete a written dissertation on a topic in communication and media.

To complete your studies, you'll choose from optional modules on topics like audience research, mobile media, documentary journalism and international communication - and you could undertake a four-week work placement to gain hands-on industry experience.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Entry requirements, fees and applying

  Entry requirements

  A-level: AAB

  • Career opportunities

    This programme will allow you to develop your creative and technical skills across three different yet related disciplines, along with in-depth theoretical knowledge and important transferable skills in communication, visual and critical awareness, writing, interpretation, project management and research.

    Our graduates are actively recruited by a variety of prestigious companies in different sectors of the media and creative industries, including film and TV production companies, web-based companies and advertising and marketing agencies. Others pursue postgraduate study or freelance work - and some also go on to start their own businesses and form independent production companies.

    What Do Our Graduates Do?

    Careers support

    We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

    Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

    The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

  • Study abroad and work placements

    Study abroad

    On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 400 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

    Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

    Work placements

    Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

    Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

    If you don't want to spend a full year on a placement, you can still choose to take the Placement optional module, which gives you the chance to spend around four weeks working at a company or organisation within the media or a related industry. We have excellent links with the local, regional and national creative industries, ensuring that you have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience that complements your learning.

  • Related courses

    Communication and Media BA
    Digital Media BA
    Journalism BA