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Film Studies A Level

Paston College

Grammar School Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9JL

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Arts, Media and Publishing

Available start dates

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Paston College
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours

Application Instructions

Step 1: Apply

Step 2: Interviews and taster events

As part of your application you will be invited to book an interview, to discuss your chosen course, where you will meet with an academic tutor from your chosen area of study for an informal discussion about your course choices, to ensure you have chosen the best course for your future ambitions.

This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss anything about the course that you are unsure about. Please ensure you check your confirmation email for full details, so you do not miss your appointment.

You are initially only able to book an interview for your first choice course, please let us know if you would subsequently like to be able to book interviews for other courses by emailing admissions@paston.ac.uk

Step 3: Offer

This stage provides you with an outcome of your recent interview, which will confirm if you have been made an offer of a place on your chosen course.

All offers are provisional until the point of enrolment and most of our course offers are conditional, meaning there is entry criteria you need to meet before enrolling. This will be outlined in your offer letter.

Sometimes we are unable to offer you a place on your chosen course. If this happens the reasons will be discussed with you at your appointment and we will look at alternative options with you. We will be in contact to confirm the outcome and what to do next. We also have a team of specialist Course Advisers who are more than happy to look at alternative options with you and answer any questions you may have.

Step 4: Enrolment

Enrolment is the final stage before starting your course with us and takes place within the last two weeks of August. We require you to be available to attend your appointment in person at college, so we can complete all the required steps to enrolling you on your chosen course.

We may ask you to bring some documents with you so please read your enrolment invitation carefully.


Course Details


This course is a fantastic oppurtunity for you to engage with film in a critical and analystical way and provides an introduction to film analysis, filmmaking and the film industry in Hollywood, Europe and across the world. You will analyse camerawork, editing, sound and performance to explore how processes of meaning-making and emotional manipulation come to light. We will also consider how films reflect the attitudes and ideologies of a particular time, place and culture.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN?


During this two year course, you will develop theoretical and practical skills by studying a range of films and case studies, exploring film analysis techniques, the film industry and film audiences.
You will focus on a variety of topics and themes including how a film constructs meaning through the use of film language conventions to provoke a variety of responses from the audience and how analysing a film can enable you to explore personal, social, cultural, political and ethical issues.

You will also learn practical filmmaking techniques such as storyboarding and screenwriting and study a wide range of films including; Pan’s Labyrinth (Spain, 2006), Pulp Fiction (US, 1994), No Country for Old Men (US,2007), Blade Runner (US,1981), Vertigo (US,1954), This is England (UK, 2006), City of God (Brazil, 2002), and many more.

IS IT SUITABLE FOR YOU?


This course is suitable for film fans who are looking to gain a better understanding of filmmaking both practically and through analysis of film form. It is also suitable for those who are curious, creative and enjoy critical debates on how film generates meaning.

HOW YOU ARE ASSESSED?


This course is assessed through two examinations focusing on varieties of film, film making and global film making perspectives. You will also complete one piece of course work that focuses on production.

THIS COURSE GOES WELL WITH…


English, History, Psychology and Sociology as well as creative subjects such as Photography, Performance and Art. There are also obvious crossovers with Media Studies that some students may find beneficial.

Entry requirements

3 A Level Programme

Minimum of 66444 at GCSE

You must also study English/Maths GCSE if you have not already achieved grade 4 in these subjects.

If you achieve a minimum of 3 GCSE's at grade 8 plus 5 at grade 7 and your English Language and Maths are at minimum grade 4, you will have the option to join the A Plus programme.

Please note that A Plus is designed for applicants to academic courses at Oxford, Cambridge or Russel Group.


Your next steps...

YOU CAN GO ON TO DO...


Film related subjects at university with the potential to lead to careers within the area of film production. There are also strong links with careers in journalism due to the critical and analytical element of the course.

For more courses like this, check our courses page.