Undergraduate Course

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 Years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

104-112 (September 2024 entry)

UCAS code

W621

Course level

Undergraduate

Qualification

BA (Hons)

Start date

September

Location

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

If you do not achieve the typical entry points required, you may want to consider studying this course with foundation year.

View with foundation year optionView with foundation year option

Course description

The highlights

Top10for Media and Film Studies**The Guardian University Guide 2023

For ambitious and creative film-makers

Explore the most exciting and challenging areas of contemporary film and high-end TV-making on a course designed to get you noticed in an intensely competitive industry. If you aspire to make big-budget productions for cinemas or small-screen streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, this course will suit you. You’ll need to be highly creative, passionate and dedicated.

This degree is based on our long-established and successful BA (Hons) Film Production, and has been updated and renamed to be relevant to the media industry of the 2020s. We recognise that students today will want to make productions for streaming platforms just as much as for the big screen, so our course content has been updated to reflect this. We also give you the chance to experiment with other forms of media-making — such as apps, web video, podcasts and other digital content — so that you are prepared for the ‘multiplatform’ nature of the media industry today.

A male uses some filming equipment

How 'Sweet Sensation' helped launch Omar's film career

While studying with us, Omar directed an advert that won an industry award and has now gone on to work for Netflix.

Read moreRead more

Film and Photography - your questions answered

In the below video, Associate Professor, Christine Parker, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Film and Photography at the University of Derby. 

Associate Professor of Practice Christine Parker.

View Film and Photography - your questions answered! video transcript

From raw talent to real deal

Through a blend of practical projects and more traditional teaching, you’ll develop the creative, technical and theoretical expertise needed to work within the moving image sector. We’ll cover these key areas:

You’ll work on a series of productions in a variety of on-set and post-production roles. The length and complexity of these productions will increase as you move through the course.

We are one of the few film courses in the UK which teach you to use both RED and ARRI cameras (high-spec digital cameras that the film industry use) as well as traditional celluloid or ‘35mm’. By the end of your final year, you will have built up an impressive portfolio of work that will help you gain employment or get accepted onto postgraduate programmes.

We’ll also make sure you leave with a great understanding of the film and television industry so you know how to create products that get seen by an audience. Plus, you will develop the professional skills you’ll need to deal with clients, commercial briefs, audiences and markets.

Four men direct a film shoot in a set with camera and lighting equipment and a microphone

Launching a production company

Four film graduates launched their business while studying and now create content full time.

Read how Goldbox Productions was formedRead how Goldbox Productions was formed

Developing you as an artist

As well as developing your technical, commercial and professional abilities, we’re also focused on helping you develop as an artist. You will be challenged to think beyond conventional ideas about media content, and explore how you can push and break boundaries. We’ll encourage you to experiment and see failures as a learning opportunity, as you develop your own unique voice.

Experience real film and TV sets

Thanks to our high-profile teaching team, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to work on real film and TV sets, for instance as runners and crowd marshalls. In addition, final year students get the chance to compete for a six-month placement with a production company in Malta, which is one of the most popular locations for films outside of America. This is potentially a career-making opportunity, and has led to some phenomenal successes.

Mari Olan spent a five-month placement at Malta Film Studios and worked on a variety of film projects, including acting as Second Assistant Director on a major film production.

A Space Apart

View A Space Apart video transcript

Showcase your work. Win awards.

All our students get the chance to showcase their work in festivals and competitions. In 2019, our students took home three top prizes from The Royal Television Society Awards, including The Sir Lenny Henry Award for Excellence. While in 2020, student Omar Soomro won his category at the NAHEMI Kodak Commercials Awards.

The culmination of the course is the opportunity to screen your work at our prestigious film premiere evening held at Quad: the Derby arts centre which celebrates visual arts, film and media. Part of our annual Degree Show, the evening begins with a VIP reception which offers you vital networking opportunities. In previous years the screening has attracted guests of honour such as the Editor-at-Large for Empire magazine Nev Pierce, Director John Stevenson (Kung Fu Panda) and legendary British cinematographer Robin Vidgeon. It could also be a springboard to national exposure for your work.

Film Production student Mari Olan diving while in Malta

My exchange experience: An internship in Malta

Mari Olan successfully applied for work experience at Malta Film Studios, one of the largest production facilities in the world. She worked as a 2nd Assistant Director, and towards her dive license at weekends!

Dive into Mari's storyDive into Mari's story
Two males stand in a studio operating a film camera
A female operates a professional piece of film camera equipment
A smartly dressed male smiles for a portrait photo

The Film department at Derby promotes individual and group filmmaking which is necessary for both freelancing and industry work. I graduated with a First Class Honours as an award-winning filmmaker and have gone on to work internationally.

Josh Timmins
Film Production graduate

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

We use a variety of teaching methods, including:

How you will be assessed

It’s 100% coursework. This usually includes tasks like:

A busy TV studio is full of lights, cameras and models on a shoot
A female in gym wear is photographed in a studio full of camera and lighting equipment

Who you'll meet 

Every single member of our teaching team is actively involved in the film and television industry. They include:

Students working with a video camera in the Film and Television studios

  Film and TV Studios

Our Markeaton Street site has a dedicated film and television studio space for teaching and student projects - and experienced technicians who provide support.

Take a look at the studiosTake a look at the studios

Personal academic tutoring

Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.

Find out more about personal academic tutoring

Who will teach you

Tom Craig teaching a class on film production

Tom Craig
Programme leader

As a Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in Film Theory and criticism, Tom Craig teaches across a wide variety of modules on the BA (Hons) Film and High-end Television Production. He has substantial experience in Film Finance, production mentoring, script supervision, and project development. He is the Creative Director of Big Brain Films.

View full staff profileView full staff profile

Entry requirements

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points104-112
A LevelBBC-BCC
T LevelMerit
BTECDMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. You may be given the opportunity, within your offer letter, to submit a portfolio. If you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.

Additional entry requirements

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2024/25

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

This course will prepare you for a range of specialist careers, in moving image production or in the wider creative industries. For example, graduates from our previous Film Production degree have gone on to work as:

Many of our graduates have achieved success as feature film directors and music video artists. They have worked on major film projects such as Assassin’s Creed and 13 Hours while others have worked for the BBC, ITV, MTV, Disney and leading music labels.  

You'll also build up a range of transferable skills, useful for any career. For instance, you’ll have great oral and written communication skills, be able to manage projects, and be good at identifying and finding relevant source materials.

You can also take your skills to the next level on our MA Film and Screen Production.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Optional costs not included in your fees

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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