Film Studies and Music Production

Keele's combined honours course in Film Studies and Music Production is an exciting programme that allows you to develop key skills in filmmaking, screenwriting and producing sound. You will examine the cultural contexts for which sound is produced and develop a portfolio of skills that will help you to achieve your career ambitions in the creative industries, such as TV, radio, film and games.

Film is a powerful art form that incorporates the study of technology, culture, and aesthetics. Film studies at Keele allows you to delve deep into the theoretical analysis of film from both historical and modern perspectives, identifying key debates in contemporary screen media, and analysing a broad range of film and television texts from the widest cultural contexts. Ranging across Hollywood film, world cinemas and newer forms of global film and television, you will consider the characteristics that distinguish these different types of production.

The depth and breadth of this course will strengthen your critical thinking as well as widening your cinematic, cultural knowledge and technical abilities. A range of innovative and creative assessment methods and teaching activities will enhance your powers of expression and discussion, as well as providing you with important employable skills. Your experience in music production will enable you to explore the cultural context in which sound is produced for and consumed in across various media forms. It will involve working with audio software, hardware, and digital audio in studio and production set ups. You will develop experience in sound recording, sound design and digital sampling. You will also explore music making, music programming, mixing, and mastering and producing sound. There will be opportunities to work individually and collaboratively and to deliver inspiring projects under the guidance of supportive tutors.

As a graduate, you will be equipped with a wide skill set, preparing you for careers in the film and media industries, as a musician, or in a variety of other professional sectors where you will be able to apply your creative practice and academic knowledge. You may wish to develop key skills in creative filmmaking, as well as in related practices such as screenwriting. You may also have the chance to make further connections to film through the study of other media forms, such as photography and literature.

Having the opportunity to undertake a placement is a valuable experience which will enable you to demonstrate and develop your skill set further. Through this course you will become a creative individual with the ability to critically evaluate, synthesise and produce content effectively through various methods.

There may be an option to do a work placement module. This could provide you with a platform to work within an organisation, and further develop your professional skills. You will identify an organisation based on your interests, with the guidance of the module tutors, and will spend a semester engaging with projects and tasks set out by the employer, as well as taught sessions at university.

You will also have the opportunity to apply for a work placement year that allows you to apply your knowledge and prepare for employment after university. This opportunity will enable you to build confidence in the workplace and demonstrate your abilities in a professional environment, using the skills you have gained throughout your degree programme. You will be supported to prepare for your placement with advice on CV writing and cover letters, as well as the chance to attend Q&A workshops to discuss individual experiences with alumni and employers. This is a valuable, character-building experience where you will develop both personally and professionally.

Our Apple MacBook Loan Scheme ensures that all music production students have equal access to high quality resources to support learning. As a music production student, you will be provided with an Apple MacBook for the full duration of your degree, at no cost to yourself*. Pre-installed with the necessary software required for your studies, the loan scheme allows you to optimise your learning experience and engage with industry-standard hardware.

*a charge will be made in the event of loss or damage to the MacBook.

Enhance your career prospects with an International Year at one of our partner institutions. Utilising this opportunity between 2nd and 3rd year can help in your employment search to stand out from the crowd and broaden your horizons, potentially working across the globe.

On successful completion of all modules across the year, you will graduate with an enhanced degree title. This can be highly beneficial for your career prospects and through experiencing different cultures; you will not only grow as an individual, but you will also strengthen your knowledge and interests within society. You can find more information here.

Alternatively, you may choose to study abroad for just a semester in your second year which will count towards your second-year grades. Our Global Opportunities team will support you through the process, ensuring you are able to get the most out of your international experience.

Discover languages at Keele, whether you are a complete beginner or already have a foundation of knowledge; we offer a flexible and guided route to developing your skills. We currently offer British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group A.

95% of Keele students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

Enhance your employability

As a Film Studies and Music Production graduate, you will be equipped with various key skills including researching, writing and sound production and will be able to apply your knowledge in the workplace through practical methods and a theoretical understanding.

You will have a clear awareness of technology and the evolving industry and how you can provide your expertise in an area of interest, working independently or with a team of professionals. You may wish to explore a range of roles that are involved with the early stages of production or perhaps a practical approach such as film making, audio streaming, broadcasting, screenwriting or as a musician/artist.

You may explore the following careers:

• Film making
• Television
• Broadcasting
• Sound engineering
• Music production
• Videography
• Directing
• Marketing/PR
• Photography
• Events
• Education
• Further study

Keele graduates have gone on to successful careers in a range of industries and organisations including:

• Senior Audio Director at the UK Studio of video game publisher Electronic Arts, London
• Sound designer for SMA Animation Studios
• Creative Labs European Developer Relations Group
• Developer for Electronic Arts
• Radio Producer at BBC Radio 3
• Editor at Cambridge University Press.
• Founder and Manager of Amadeus Music Academy, Stoke-On-Trent
• Pro-Dean of Learning and Teaching in the School of Music at the University of Leeds

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.

From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.