BA Film and Television

UCAS code: P390

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Edinburgh College of Art

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Study abroad

Introducing BA Film and Television

In this programme, we encourage you to find individual approaches through work in:

documentary
drama
experimental film
hybrid film

Through exercises and short films, we also nurture work that challenges the norms and boundaries of filmmaking.

These experiences will help you:

find your own creative identities
develop skills that will help you find work in the industry

By the time you graduate you will have worked on several films in different roles.

Practical skills

You will gain practical experience in:

approaches to directing and writing
creative producing
camerawork
sound recording and design
editing, colour and grading

This helps you explore how every aspect of film and every role within a crew is a means of creative expression.

We work as a film community supporting collaboration across the year groups. You will learn the teamwork and communication skills necessary to enter the film and television industries.

Masterclasses

You will benefit from workshops and masterclasses from internal and visiting staff, who all work and exhibit internationally in film and television.

Design and Screen Cultures

You will study Design and Screen Cultures courses alongside your practical studio work.

These courses give you a contextual and theoretical understanding of contemporary screen studies.

Optional courses

In Years 1 and 2 you can also enrol in different optional courses offered by the wider University. You should select a combination of courses that reflect your interests and enhance your main study.

What you will study

Year 1

In Year 1 you will:

work on different film exercises
collaborate in entry-level crew roles on senior film projects
attend masterclasses and workshops on various practical aspects of filmmaking

In Design and Screen Cultures, you will address the key histories and theories of design and screen studies.

Optional courses

You can take 60 credits of courses from:

Design and Screen Cultures
the wider College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Your choices will be subject to availability and will require discussion with the relevant course organisers.

Year 2

In Year 2 you will work on projects and exercises that cover various aspects of film, including:

exploring different film forms
understanding story, subject matter and authorship through the visual medium
technical training
collaborate in assistant roles on senior film projects

You will continue studying Design and Screen Cultures courses.

Like Year 1, you can choose optional courses from the wider college.

Year 3

In Year 3 you will:

have the opportunity to experiment further
collaborate at the Head of Department level on senior film productions

You will also:

take a further Design and Screen Cultures course
have the opportunity to study abroad, which can help broaden your understanding of the discipline
have the opportunity to complete a self-initiated work placement

Year 4

Developing film projects

In Semester 1 you will:

have the opportunity to develop and present a film project
attend workshops that support your idea development
benefit from guest lectures from industry professionals who will help you hone your skills

Producing film projects

You and your fellow students will produce a maximum of 10 film projects.

For this, you will take on head of department roles, such as:

producer
director
editor
cinematographer
sound designer

You will also complete a written dissertation as part of your Design and Screen Cultures course.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Design students benefit from studio-based learning at our Lauriston Place campus. You will also benefit from the exhibitions and events associated with our vibrant art college.

Some Design and Screen Cultures teaching takes place in the University's Central Area, where you will also have access to:

extensive libraries
computing facilities
technical facilities

Optional courses are usually taught outside ECA, across the wider University campus.

Investing in our learning environment

The University is investing in the Edinburgh College of Art estate and facilities. This will further develop our supportive, stimulating and sustainable learning and research environment.

You can find out more on the ECA website.

Facilities and resources at ECA

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3.

What are my options for going abroad?

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

Most design teaching and learning is through involvement in a range of experiential courses situated in a studio environment.

Conceptual, material and technical issues are explored through:

seminars
workshops
lectures
tutorials
critiques

Your development

Your development is influenced by research and critical thinking, as well as the following contexts that shape creative design practice:

visual
intellectual
social
professional

These elements are taught through Design and Screen Cultures courses and involve:

exhibitions
competitions
collaborations
live industry projects

How will I be assessed?

We use formative assessment throughout this programme. This helps us give meaningful feedback and encourages experimentation in the studio and beyond.

Formative assessment for compulsory courses can include:

portfolio
presentations
essays against course learning outcomes

There is a mid-session review, usually at the mid-point of any course you study.

Summative assessment at the end of all courses is informed by your:

academic progress
creative progress
performance throughout

Your course grades are calculated through this summative assessment plus a moderation process.

Career opportunities

Our programmes have strong industrial pathways to ensure the most successful and meaningful careers for graduates.

We boast a vibrant alumni network and strong links with the cultural and creative sector across Scotland and beyond.

The University's Careers Service offers exceptional support throughout your time with us.

Careers Service

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

Additional requirements

Portfolio

Applicants will be asked to submit a digital portfolio to provide evidence of artistic aptitude and potential, this will form an important part of the selection process.

For more information about the portfolio, visit the Edinburgh College of Art website at the link below.

Undergraduate portfolio guidance

Portfolio technical support and specification

Important dates

1 December 2024: portfolio submission site opens.
29 January 2025: deadline for all applicants (including international applicants).
4 February 2025 at 12 pm (midday) GMT: portfolio submission deadline.

BTEC/UAL Diplomas

Applicants studying Pearson BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design will be considered for entry with the following:

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma with DMM.
Pearson BTEC Diploma with MM plus one A Level at A (or DM plus B at A Level).
Pearson BTEC Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma with D plus two A Levels at B (or M plus AB at A Level).

Applicants studying the University of the Arts London Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design will be considered with Merit.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Second year entry

Entry to the second year is available. Successful completion of a Foundation Diploma (at Merit grade), a relevant HND or equivalent is required. Applicants with a Foundation Diploma will normally be expected to have undertaken these qualifications in addition to having met the first year entry requirements (Highers, A Levels, IB, relevant HNC, etc). In some of our less competitive degrees it may be possible to consider applicants presenting ABC (or equivalent) or above at A Level. These must have been achieved in one set of exams, at first attempt.

A list of accepted HNDs, along with further information for adult returners, can be found on our adult returner page:

Adult returner applicants

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

SQA National 5 at C
GCSE at C or 4
Level 2 Certificate at C
IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)