Writing and Film [with Placement year] Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Develop your writing and filmmaking skills while learning about the films, writers and directors that have shaped the medium.

Learn to tell stories that engage audiences, whether you want to write poetry, drama, short fiction, or make films and documentaries.

You’ll explore and develop professional writing techniques relating to film, with valuable feedback from professional writers as well as your peers.

You’ll also make your own short films, with full training provided, and investigate filmmaking practices from all over the world.

Why ARU?

* Join a course that scored 100% for Teaching on my course, Academic support, and Freedom of students to express ideas, opinions and beliefs in the National Student Survey 2024.

* Get feedback from professional writers, including our teaching staff and Royal Literary Fund Fellows.

* Become part of a community of creative professionals with wide-ranging expertise.

* Make your own short films in video, animation or 16mm format with full technical training.

* Attend guest lectures by visiting authors, editors, agents, filmmakers and other professionals.

* Learn how to get published or commissioned with our career-focussed modules.

Careers

Our optional modules allow you to explore your interests or specialise for a particular career in writing or film.

At the same time, our extensive local and national media contacts will help you gain experience on work placements and live briefs.

Our students recently worked with mental health charity Lifecraft, producing a series of short videos about the charity for their website and social media channels.

They have also found internships and placements with companies such as the BBC, Cambridge Festival of Ideas, Film & Video Umbrella, Cannes Film Festival, Cambridge Film Festival, Take One magazine, Watersprite Film Festival, CBBC, ITN Productions, London Studios, MTV, New York Film Academy, Pinewood Studios, StudioCanal UK (formerly Optimum Releasing) and Sight & Sound magazine.

You’ll also develop skills in literacy, creativity, problem-solving, analysis and communication skills, which are in high demand in many different fields.

Our BA (Hons) Writing and Film Studies students go on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including film and video production, film criticism, cinema/film festival administration and management, film education, broadcasting, journalism and publishing.

Some decided to stay on at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MA Creative Writing or MA Film and TV Production. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Teaching

You’ll start off by developing essential knowledge and skills in writing, filmmaking, and film theory, which you’ll refer to throughout the course and beyond.

In years 2 and 3 you’ll tailor the degree to your own interests with a variety of optional modules, as well as learning the techniques and conventions of short fiction, poetry and dramatic writing, and exploring classical Hollywood cinema and film journalism.

Finally, you’ll complete an independent research project on a relevant writing or film topic of your choice.