Film & Screen Media (BA (Hons))

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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: €3,138 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

  2022: 414

• CAO Points Range

  414-589

Course Outline

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

Our philosophy, at the Department of Film and Screen Media, 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, our 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 in Film & Screen Media will immerse you 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. With a thriving component of visiting speakers, guest practitioners and artists in residence, our students 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.

You also have the opportunity to 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.

Students may opt into the International Pathway of the BA, and spend Year 3 studying film and screen media, as well as their second subject, at one of our partner universities abroad. (See our BA page for an indicative list of participating universities.)

This BA will equip you with skills that will work across a broad variety of careers including the media, culture and creative industries, teaching, journalism, or for further study and research at postgraduate level.

Programme Structure and Modules

Our BA in Film & Screen Media is a major degree programme that lasts 3 years. Students take 60 credits each year, as follows:

You can also take the International Pathway, and spend Year 3 studying Film and your other subject at a partner university abroad before returning to UCC to complete your programme in Year 4. See our Go Abroad with UCC page for more information.

In Year 1 you take core courses in film studies including the theory, history, and aesthetics of film and screen media, as well as a module in practical filmmaking.

Please see the University Calendar (BA Film & Screen Media) for more course information. The Calendar also details the modules for Years 2 and 3. See the Book of Modules for a detailed description of each module. 

For the International Pathway see the BA Film & Screen Media-International Pathway page.

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. Canvas, 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. 

Teaching faculty

Our teaching faculty and team include:

• Dr Ciara Chambers, Head of Department, Film & Screen Media
• Dr Abigail Keating, Lecturer in Film & Screen Media
• Dr Barry Monahan, Lecturer in Film & Screen Media
• Professor Laura Rascaroli, Head of School, Film, Music & Theatre
• Dr Gwenda Young, MA Coordinator, Film & Screen Media
• Mr Dan O'Connell, Lecturer in Filmmaking
• Our Senior Technical Officer, Barry Reilly, will be on hand to assist the students in their practical work.

We also welcome leading figures from the worlds of film, media and television in our acclaimed masterclasses and public lectures. 

Why Choose This Course

This course is unique in its combination of film studies and screen media: you will 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

Our Year 3 Film & 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. See our Go Abroad with UCC page for more information.

The undergraduate Work-Experience Recognition Module (PX3000) for the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences is a final-year module that 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 & 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:

International students should visit the International Education website.

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

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.

Fees and Costs

The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees. 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: Visit our Non-EU Applicants page.

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.

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

Our philosophy, at the Department of Film and Screen Media, 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, our 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 in Film & Screen Media will immerse you 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. With a thriving component of visiting speakers, guest practitioners and artists in residence, our students 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.

You also have the opportunity to 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.

Students may opt into the International Pathway of the BA, and spend Year 3 studying film and screen media, as well as their second subject, at one of our partner universities abroad. (See our BA page for an indicative list of participating universities.)

This BA will equip you with skills that will work across a broad variety of careers including the media, culture and creative industries, teaching, journalism, or for further study and research at postgraduate level.

Programme Structure and Modules

Our BA in Film & Screen Media is a major degree programme that lasts 3 years. Students take 60 credits each year, as follows:

You can also take the International Pathway, and spend Year 3 studying Film and your other subject at a partner university abroad before returning to UCC to complete your programme in Year 4. See our Go Abroad with UCC page for more information.

In Year 1 you take core courses in film studies including the theory, history, and aesthetics of film and screen media, as well as a module in practical filmmaking.

Please see the University Calendar (BA Film & Screen Media) for more course information. The Calendar also details the modules for Years 2 and 3. See the Book of Modules for a detailed description of each module. 

For the International Pathway see the BA Film & Screen Media-International Pathway page.

Recognised Qualification

Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) PLUS 1 Year at Bachelor degree level from a recognised university with competitive grades in specific relevant subjects

Band 2 Programmes

Minimum Entry Requirements

Minimum average of 90% in Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) PLUS competitive grades in year 1 at Bachelor degree level.

International Baccalaureate   

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. Canvas, 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. 

Teaching faculty

Our teaching faculty and team include:

• Dr Ciara Chambers, Head of Department, Film & Screen Media
• Dr Abigail Keating, Lecturer in Film & Screen Media
• Dr Barry Monahan, Lecturer in Film & Screen Media
• Professor Laura Rascaroli, Head of School, Film, Music & Theatre
• Dr Gwenda Young, MA Coordinator, Film & Screen Media
• Mr Dan O'Connell, Lecturer in Filmmaking
• Our Senior Technical Officer, Barry Reilly, will be on hand to assist the students in their practical work.

We also welcome leading figures from the worlds of film, media and television in our acclaimed masterclasses and public lectures. 

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.