Film and Television Studies

Why study Film & Television Studies at Aberystwyth?

• You will be taught and mentored by a team of internationally known designers and experts. 
• We are a vibrant and creative department where drama and theatre, film and media, and scenography and theatre design collide.
• All students benefit from our complementary learning experiences where theory and practice are designed to feed into each other.
• As a department, students benefit from our connections with key industry partners, such as National Theatre Wales, Music Theatre Wales, Quarantine Theatre Company, BAFTA, Avid and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. These creative partners provide an excellent opportunity to network and liaise with those in the industry before graduation. 
• Students in the department have access to our superb facilities and resources for practical work: three rehearsal studios, each with flexible technical facilities; 2 large professionally-equipped studios with digital lighting rigs controlled via ETC Congo and Strand Lighting consoles, Yamaha and Soundcraft PAs, Sanyo AV systems and Strand lighting and two NXAMP; and costume and wardrobe facilities.
• On our campus and situated next door to the Arts Centre is one of the largest Arts Centres in Wales, which regularly presents national and international theatre and dance work.
• Aberystwyth University’s is known for having a large number of clubs and societies, so be assured that your time will be occupied with your studies and taking part in your chosen club / society's activities.  The University has a large and energetic drama society, come and say hello during a visit to Aberystwyth. 
• If you're looking for an experience beyond Aberystwyth, all students will have the opportunity to take part in a study abroad placement with one of our partnered Universities in Europe through the Erasmus + programme and some further afield through our International Exchange programme. Find out where your adventure could take you!

Our Staff

All academic staff at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies are research active and/or involved in Knowledge Transfer projects and have either relevant academic qualifications at doctoral level or equivalent professional experience and expertise.

What can I do with a Film and Television Studies degree?

Many of our graduates have been successful finding employment in these fields:

• Researchers, editors, floor managers, camera operators, designers and directors for film and television production companies;
• Film distribution;
• Freelance film-making;
• Marketing and Public Relations;
• Film festival programming;
• Advertising;
• Arts administration;
• Education.

What skills do I gain from this degree?

Students in our department gain the following transferable skills that are sought after by employers. These include the ability to:

• apply creative, imaginative and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations;
• research, evaluate and organise information;
• structure and communicate ideas effectively in a variety of situations and using a variety of means;
• work independently and with others;
• effectively organise your time and deploy your skills;
• listen to and make use of critical advice;
• be self-motivated and self-disciplined;
• use a range of information technology skills and resources;
• be entrepreneurial in developing cultural projects.

Are there any work experience opportunities whilst studying?

• The department has strong partnerships and connections with many organisations e.g., the BBC, Fiction Factory and Boom Pictures, with whom  our students have been offered work placements.

• Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.
  Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department. 

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three year degree scheme.

In your first year you will take:

• Core introductory modules in the history, theory and analysis of film and television products.

• Practical modules that develop skills in all stages of the production process: scriptwriting, shooting, directing, and final editing.

• A choice of modules: Movements in Film History, Studying Communication, and Studying Media.

In your second year you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop skills in studio production, documentary filmmaking and writing for film and television.

• Gain knowledge and key critical skills in a range of complementary theoretical modules that span Hollywood cinema, documentary filmmaking, art cinema and contemporary issues in digital culture.

• Increase your employability prospects and transferrable skills through the compulsory work placement module.

In your third year you will be able to:

• Specialise in documentary production, fiction film, experimental media or scriptwriting and build advanced skills in this area.

• Study specialist subject areas that deal with histories of technology, experimental film, cult cinema, television and society in the 20^th Century, and stardom.

• Embark on an independent research project, leading to a dissertation on a film and television-related topic of your choice.

• Benefit from extensive support and guidance whatever pathway you decide on.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through a variety of lectures, seminars, screenings, technical demonstrations and group-based project work. The diversity of activity is essential part of our philosophy, and creates a uniquely exciting and productive learning environment.

How will I be assessed?

We assess our students through:

• Group devised productions;

• Individual film and video projects;

• Practical analyses;

• Production diaries and creative scriptwriting;

• Formal essays and examinations;

• Reflective journals, blogs, Wikis;

• Seminar presentations.

Additional assessments may include:

• Storyboards;

• Screenplays;

• Pitches.

All of these materials you could use to generate a working portfolio to present to potential employers.

More information:

You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree scheme, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You should feel free to contact them at any time for help and advice.

You will also have the opportunity to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) at Aberystwyth. This is a structured process of self-appraisal, reflection, and planning, which will enable you to chart your personal, academic and professional development throughout your time at university. By recording your academic performance, and highlighting the skills you already have and those you will need for future employability, the PDP portfolio will equip you with the necessary tools to plan effectively, develop successful approaches to study, and consider your future career options and aspirations.

What I love most about Film and Television Studies is the teaching staff. They are experienced professionals who are dynamic, enthusiastic and most importantly, approachable; it makes learning fun and my confidence has improved as a result. I also enjoy the various modules on offer. The practicals are great as they allow me to experiment with my own ideas but at the same time they teach me valuable skills. My favourite modules so far are Scriptwriting; Imagining the Short; and Writing for Film and Television. I love to write creatively and these modules enable me to develop my imagination. Angela Wendy Rumble

Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University is brilliant. The course has a great atmosphere which you can tell from how well-connected the students and lecturers are. The academic side of the course is illuminating, touching on a wide variety of topics and dealing with each of these in detail, which works well even for those students who want to focus more on the more practical modules. In addition the department provides plenty of opportunities for work experience as well as chances for students to hone their skills out of the classroom with departmental equipment. There is also a well-supported film society. Joe Williams

What I love about Film and Television Studies is the variety of different areas I've had the opportunity to be a part of. Last year I would never have had the confidence or know-how to organise a production team, to make and market short films and to work in a 3 camera studio. What I wanted from Aberystwyth University were the skills to become a film-maker; what I got were practical skills, knowledge of academic debates, and contacts that have given me an insight into the film and television industry. Peter Gosiewski