1. Study
2. Undergraduate
3. Courses
4. Film and Screen Media

About This Course

Fact File

• Title

  Film & Screen Media

• Code

  CK105

• College

  Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

• Duration

  3 or 4 years

• Teaching Mode

  Full-time

• Qualifications

  BA (Hons)

• Fees

  Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,130 See Fees and Costs for full details.

• Entry Requirements

  2 x H5, 4 x O6/H7; O6/H7 in another language. See Requirements for full details.

• CAO Points

  2021: 421

• CAO Points Range

  2021: 421-625

Course Outline

University College Cork's BA in Film and Screen Media is a unique, major degree that offers students a thorough education on the history, theory, values, aesthetics and ideology of the moving image.

The philosophy of our BA is that theory, analysis and history must be informed by practice, and that practice must, in turn, be informed by a deep understanding of how cinema and ideas about the moving image have developed. Hence, this unique programme innovatively combines the study of film and of screen media (Internet, mobile social media, e-publishing) and practical filmmaking modules and workshops in digital filmmaking and in writing for the screen.

Led by internationally recognised experts, this BA will immerse students in the history and theory of film and screen media from around the world, from the birth of cinema to the age of the Internet. Students also make films under the guidance of experienced practitioners, and avail of professionalising opportunities provided by the programme's partnership with film festivals such as Schull's Fastnet Short Film Festival. With a thriving component of visiting speakers, guest practitioners and artists in residence, students will have the chance to meet and be taught by professionals of the film industry and by expert speakers from universities and archives from around the world.

Students may opt into the International Pathway of the BA, and spend third year studying film and screen media, as well as their second subject, at one of our partner universities abroad.

The BA equips students with the skills for careers in the media, the culture and creative industries, teaching, journalism, or for further study and research at postgraduate level.

BA Programme Structure and Modules

The BA in Film and Screen Media is a Major degree that lasts 3 years. Students take 60 credits each year, as follows:

• First Year: BA Film and Screen Media (30 credits) + two other subjects (15 credits each)
• Second Year: BA Film and Screen Media (40 credits) + one other subject (20 credits)
• Third Year: BA Film and Screen Media (40 credits) + one other subject (20 credits)

You can also take the International Pathway, and spend your Third Year studying Film and your other subject at a partner university abroad.

Each year students will take core courses in theories, history and aesthetics of film and screen media, and in practical filmmaking.

Modules

All modules are 5 credits unless otherwise stated.

Year One

Core modules:

• FX1001 Introduction to Film Studies (10 credits)
• FX1002 Introduction to Screen Media and Culture 
• FX1003 Early Cinema: From the Magic Lantern to the Pioneers
• FX1004 Introduction to Digital Media (10 credits)

Year Two

Core modules:

• FX2001 Film Theory
• FX2003 Documentary Filmmaking: Theory and Practice (10 credits)
• FX2004 Writing and the Screen
• FX2007 Contemporary Media and Society 
• FX2008 American Cinema and Culture: 1927-1960
• FX2010 Irish Film and Genre

Optional modules (choose one among the following. Please note: the availability of specific optional modules may vary each year):

• HS2057 Cinema and Identity in Spain and Latin America
• FX2009 Cinemas of Realism 

Year Three

Core modules:

• FX3010 Screen Industries: Theory and Practice (10 credits)
• FX3011 The Gendered Lens
• FX3014 Case Studies in European Cinema

Optional modules (chose 20 credits from the following)

• FX3003 Special Studies in Filmmaking/New Media (10 credits)
• FX3015 New Directions and New Waves: American Cinema after 1960 (10 credits)
• AS3015 Japanese Cinema and Culture (10 credits)

Course Practicalities

Expected lecture hours: The course is a full-time, three-year BA degree. The minimum number of lectures and seminars each week will be six hours, to take place on campus. Blackboard, UCC’s learning management system, will be utilised as a support to seminars and lectures. In some cases, courses will include compulsory screenings of films.

Expected lab/practical hours: The practical modules will involve some extra hours of self-directed filming and editing. The module Screen Industries (With Placement), which will not be on offer every year, includes a short approved placement within the film, media or cultural industries. 

Why Choose This Course

This course is unique in its combination of film studies and screen media. In the course of your degree, you get the chance to work with a resident filmmaker and collaborate on short films and promos. You will have the opportunity of working on a treatment and a short script under the tutelage of an accredited expert.

Leading figures from both Ireland and further afield will give guest lectures on film-making, film producing, screenwriting, acting, film history, and marketing of films, continuing our strong record in attracting notable speakers, including Oscar-nominated filmmakers, producers and actors.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Third Arts (Film and Screen Media) (International) Pathway is spent in an approved foreign university where students will study approved courses/modules to the equivalent value of 60 credits. All courses will be assessed by the approved Host University.

UCC’s College of Arts offers a bespoke work-placement module to its students. PX3000 is a final-year module which offers students the opportunity to gain retrospective recognition for professional work experience undertaken during the course of their studies.

Skills and Careers Information

With masterclasses given by practitioners from the industry, and modules in practical filmmaking/digital video, the BA will aid those seeking jobs in the film/media industry and in creative/culture industries.

The strong emphasis on developing analytical and writing skills will benefit those interested in pursuing a career in arts journalism.

Furthermore, you will develop high levels of visual literacy that will ideally complement further studies (e.g. UCC’s MA in Film and Screen Media), or career paths in a wide variety of design and visual communications areas, including advertising, web and graphic design, television, multimedia, computer gaming and publishing.

Requirements

Leaving Cert entry requirements:

At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

English	Irish	Other Language
O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7

Mature students: Applicants should apply directly through the CAO, include a statement of interest, and must apply for and sit the MSAP test.  

Find out about the mature entry requirements here.

International Students should visit the International Education website.

FETAC applicants: entry to the first year of this programme is available on a competitive basis to students who achieve a minimum of 4 Distinctions (i.e. greater than 80%) from any of the FETAC programmes listed on our FETAC pages: FETAC Requirements.

Fees and Costs

The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2021/22 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €130. Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees.

Please see Fees Office for more information.

How Do I Apply

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.

Non-EU Applicants

Mature Applicants:  Application is made through the CAO and the closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.