BA Film & Television Studies and Modern Languages
| UCAS code | WR09 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | WR08 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
Why study BA Film & Television Studies and Modern Languages at Exeter?
- Combine a solid foundation in film and television studies with the study of a language and its culture
- Learn the specialised terminology used in the analysis of film and key concepts relating to cinema and the nation
- Explore questions of space, time and identity
- Engage in a distinctive international approach to film analysis, history and theory, drawing from a wide range of expertise across American, Asian, European and African cinemas from the 19th century to the present day
- Option to spend your third year studying or working abroad in a country where you can develop your chosen language. Students studying beginners languages are required to study the 4-year “with International Placement” course.
Top 150 in world subject rankings for Modern Languages and Cultures
QS World University Subject Rankings 2025
Choose our 4 year course to spend a year abroad, studying at a partner university or in employment
4th in the UK for Drama, Dance and Cinematics
Complete University Guide 2026
The lecturers have been amazing. They’re all very approachable and willing to discuss readings and go through work in office hours.
The course has been fantastic. It has introduced me to a lot of critical theory. The film modules also rely on the materials of The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, so you get a chance to interact with ephemera and touch some valuable film memorabilia! My essay writing skills have improved greatly (and hopefully continue to improve!).
Richard
BA Film & Television Studies
Course duration
Did you know that there are both 3-year and 4-year degree programmes in Modern Languages at Exeter?
There are significant benefits of choosing the 4-year with International Placement programme, particularly in enhancing your language proficiency.
Both the 4-year and 3-year programmes offer a comprehensive and in-depth study of modern languages and cultures. However, the 4-year degree includes a valuable international placement year, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and culture of your chosen country while either studying or working.
We know that graduates who have studied the 4-year course with a year abroad have benefitted from a range of key skills that have been vital in shaping their early careers:
- Enhanced language proficiency – Evidence shows that speaking your chosen language in the country where it is the main language helps improve proficiency significantly.
- Cultural immersion – Spending time on an international placement will give you a deeper understanding of the nation’s cultures and broaden your appreciation of individuals from different backgrounds.
- Personal and professional development – You will have the opportunity to independently build intercultural communication skills and experience a range of professional sectors. These are key skills highly valued by today’s employers.
- Competitive edge – Our graduates have gone on to work for organisations across the globe, and they tell us that gaining skills and experiences while on the international placement is the most important factor when applying for jobs after graduating.
Please also note that, if you are starting a language from beginner level, you must take the 4-year programme to ensure you develop the necessary language skills. If you are studying languages post-A-Level, it is possible to choose the 3-year programme. You can apply to both the 3- and 4-year courses via UCAS.
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | ABB | Dependent on language level chosen (see below) |
| IB | 32/655 | Dependent on language level chosen (see below) |
| BTEC | DDM | Dependent on language level chosen (see below) |
| GCSE | Grade 4/C in GCSE English language | English Language |
| Access to HE | 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. | Dependent on language level chosen (see below) |
| T-Level | Distinction | Dependent on language level chosen, GCE A-Level in a Modern Foreign Language will also be required (see below) |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBC |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
Choosing a language
You may choose one language to study alongside Film and Television Studies. Find out more about the languages we offer below.
Check subject requirements for different language levels
It may be possible to study further languages to a lower level of proficiency than degree level in the Language Centre, subject to demand: this is arranged on registration at Exeter.
Completing your UCAS form
When completing your UCAS form you must indicate the language you want to study with us under ‘further details’ in the ‘choices’ section of the application form, using the below abbreviations.
| French | Fren |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | Chin |
| German | Germ |
| Italian | Ital |
| Portuguese | Port |
| Russian | Russ |
| Spanish | Span |
For further information on completing your UCAS form, please visit the UCAS website.
Course content
The first year of study guides you through the specialised language used in the analysis of film and approaches to studying film as a visual and aural art form. It familiarises you with the most important movements and moments in cinema history, introduces you to key concepts and theories, and engages with the cross-cultural and transnational exchanges between world cinemas.
In the second year, you will study the history of American cinema and contemporary theories of film philosophy.
In your final year you can pursue your own interests and develop expertise in selected areas. Choose from a wide array of specialist modules, covering topics ranging from American independent cinema, surrealist cinema, to war and visual media. You will also either write a dissertation or complete a creative dissertation video essay or short film on a topic of your choice.
Students studying beginners languages must take the 4-year “with International Placement” course.
You may notice changes to some of our modules over the coming months. This is because we are making space for the following:
- Minors: Future Skills Pathways - Alongside your main degree you may be eligible (depending on your course) to choose modules from another subject to broaden your skills and interests.
- Skills to Thrive built into every degree - Essential skills for your future, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork and digital confidence.
- Increased innovation and wellbeing - More room for creative learning, real-world projects and a healthier study rhythm.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
1. Students must take 60 credits of compulsory Film and Television modules.
2. Students must take 30 credits of compulsory choice Modern Languages modules in their chosen language.
3. Students must select 30 credits of optional Modern Languages modules consisting of content related to their chosen language.
This may include a maximum of 15 credits of SML-coded modules. Certain modules may only be available to students on Single Honours programmes, or to students who have taken a particular language module. It is your responsibility to ensure that credit for SML modules can be counted towards the language of your study, where this is necessary for your credit count.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Honours Compulsory | ||
| Major Debates in Film Theory | 30 | |
| Interrogating Screens | 30 | |
| Compulsory Choice Language Modules 1 | ||
| French Language | 30 | |
| French Language for Beginners | 30 | |
| German Language | 30 | |
| German Language for Beginners | 30 | |
| Italian Language | 30 | |
| Italian Language for Beginners | 30 | |
| Beginners Chinese | 30 | |
| Portuguese Language for Beginners | 30 | |
| Contemporary Russian Written and Oral | 30 | |
| Russian Language for Beginners | 30 | |
| Spanish Language | 30 | |
| Spanish Language for Beginners | 30 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| French Optional Modules | ||
| The Making of Modern France | 15 | |
| The Devil is in the Detail: An Introduction to the Short Story in French | 15 | |
| The French Language, Present and Past | 15 | |
| An Introduction to French Thought | 15 | |
| German Optional Modules | ||
| A Nation Remembers: Issues in German Cultural Memory | 15 | |
| Turning Points in German History 1200 - 2000 | 15 | |
| Russian Optional Modules | ||
| An Emotional Experience: Russian Literature and the Expression of Feeling | 15 | |
| Russia: Empire and Identity | 15 | |
| Chinese Optional Modules | ||
| Chinese Art and the Art of Living | 15 | |
| Introduction to Asian Philosophy | 15 | |
| Italian Optional Modules | ||
| Italy Inside Out: Popular Visual Narratives about Italy | 15 | |
| A Thousand Faces: Cultures and History in 19th-Century Italy | 15 | |
| Neutral Optional Modules | ||
| Comparative Literatures and Cultures: Theories and Approaches | 15 | |
| Reading Comparatively | 15 | |
| Language, Communication and Power | 15 | |
| Introduction to Film | 15 | |
| Language, Culture, International Relations | 15 | |
| Spanish beginner Optional Modules | ||
| An Introduction to the Hispanic World: Texts in Context | 15 | |
| Spanish post A-Level Optional Modules | ||
| The Making of Modern Latin America: History Through Literature and Culture | 15 | |
| An Introduction to the Literature and Film of Spain | 15 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
1. Students must take 60 credits of optional Film and Television modules.
2. Students must take 30 credits of compulsory choice Modern Languages modules in their chosen language.
3. Students must take 30 credits of optional Modern Languages modules consisting of content related to their chosen language.
This may include a maximum of 15 credits of SML-coded modules. It is your responsibility to ensure that credit for SML modules can be counted towards the language of your study, where this is necessary for your credit count.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Choice Language Modules 1 | ||
| French Language, Written and Oral | 30 | |
| Intermediate French | 30 | |
| German Language, Written and Oral | 30 | |
| Intermediate German | 30 | |
| Italian Language, Written and Oral | 30 | |
| Italian Language | 30 | |
| Intermediate Chinese (One) | 30 | |
| Intermediate Portuguese | 30 | |
| Contemporary Russian Written and Oral I | 30 | |
| Intermediate Russian | 30 | |
| Spanish Language, Written and Oral | 30 | |
| Spanish Language (ex-beginners) | 30 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Honour Optional | ||
| Script Craft: Writing for Screen and Stage | 15 | |
| Shots in the Dark | 30 | |
| Television: Times, Trends and Technologies | 30 | |
| Scrublands, Sanctuary, Screens: Co-creating Knowledges alongside Donkeys | 15 | |
| Adaptations: Text, Image, Culture | 15 | |
| Fanatical: Fan Culture and Identity | 15 | |
| World Cinemas: Representations, Histories, Conflicts | 15 | |
| World Cinemas: Contexts, Environments, Industries | 15 | |
| Chinese Optional Modules | ||
| Chinoiserie and Européenerie: Artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe | 15 | |
| Digital China: Popular Culture, Technology, and Society | 15 | |
| French Optional Modules | ||
| Revolutions! Art and Society in France, 1770-1830 | 15 | |
| Evolution of the French Language | 15 | |
| Intimate Spaces of the French Enlightenment | 15 | |
| Violence and Virtue: Early Modern French Theatre | 15 | |
| Subversive Texts: Baudelaire and Rachilde | 15 | |
| German Optional Modules | ||
| Berlin - Culture, History and Politics | 15 | |
| Gender, Race and Migration in 20th and 21st-century German Literature | 15 | |
| Neutral Optional Modules | ||
| Migrating Texts: Classical Reception, Adaptation, Translation | 15 | |
| Research Skills in Languages and Cultures | 15 | |
| Contemporary Latin American Cinema | 15 | |
| Multilingualism in Society | 15 | |
| Intercultural Communication | 15 | |
| Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence | 15 | |
| From Page to Screen: Female Detectives in Literature, Film, and Television | 15 | |
| Russian Optional Modules | ||
| Exploring Revolution: The Making of Soviet Society and Culture in the 1920s | 15 | |
| Apocalypse/Utopia: the Russian Roots of Revolution | 15 | |
| Other Shores: Exile and Emigration in Russian Literature | 15 | |
| Spanish Optional Modules | ||
| Federico Garcia Lorca: Theatre and Poetry | 15 | |
| The Latin American Short Story | 15 | |
| Catalonia Is Not Spain? Modern Catalan Culture in Context | 15 | |
| "What is Love? And Do I Need It?" An Introduction to Spanish Renaissance Love Poetry | 15 | |
| Fiction in Post-War Spain: Voices of Conformity and Subversion | 15 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
If you choose the with International Placement variant of this course, your placement will take place in Year 3.
120 credit compulsory placement module
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Work and Study Abroad | 120 | |
| Study Abroad at a Partner University (with Assessment in the Foreign Language) | 120 | |
| Internship Abroad Combined with Study at a Partner University Abroad | 120 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
1. Students must take 60 credits of optional Film and Television modules.
2. Students must take 30 credits of compulsory choice Modern Languages modules in their chosen language.
3. Students must take 30 credits of optional Modern Languages modules consisting of content related to their chosen language.
This may include a maximum of 15 credits of SML-coded modules, which are additional to SML3030. It is your responsibility to ensure that credit for SML modules can be counted towards the language of your study, where this is necessary for your credit count.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Choice Language Modules 1 | ||
| Advanced French Language Skills | 30 | |
| Advanced German Language Skills | 30 | |
| Advanced Italian Language Skills | 30 | |
| Advanced Chinese Language Skills | 30 | |
| Advanced Portuguese Language Skills | 30 | |
| Advanced Russian Language Skills | 30 | |
| Advanced Spanish Language Skills | 30 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 | ||
| Dissertation | 30 | |
| Combined Honours Optional | ||
| Queering British Screens | 15 | |
| Beyond Sex and the City: Becoming a Woman in Contemporary Western Cinema | 15 | |
| American Independent Film | 15 | |
| British Screens | 15 | |
| Cinema in the Anthropocene | 15 | |
| Film, Philosophy, and the Internet | 15 | |
| Perspectives on Animation | 15 | |
| Film Audiences | 15 | |
| Something to See: War and Visual Media | 15 | |
| Chinese Optional Modules | ||
| The Place of Meaning: Gardens in Asia and Europe | 15 | |
| Introduction to Modern Chinese Literature | 15 | |
| China through the Lens: Cultural Translation and Self-Presentation | 15 | |
| French Optional Modules | ||
| First-Person Outsiders in Modern French Literature | 15 | |
| Philosophers, Prophets and Mystics in French Culture | 15 | |
| Sex, Subversion and Censorship: Libertine Literature in Seventeenth-Century France | 15 | |
| French Sociolinguistics and Dialectology | 15 | |
| German Optional Modules | ||
| Dictatorships on Display: History Exhibitions in Germany and Austria | 15 | |
| Italian Optional Modules | ||
| Understanding Space in Renaissance Italy | 15 | |
| Neutral Optional Modules | ||
| Intercultural Communication in a Global World | 15 | |
| Through the Language Lens: the Relationship between Language, Culture and the Mind | 15 | |
| Corporate Language and Communication: When Sharks Work with Dolphins | 15 | |
| Extended Dissertation | 30 | |
| Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures | 15 | |
| Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration | 15 | |
| Migration and Multilingualism | 15 | |
| Migration in World Cinema | 15 | |
| Aliens Abroad: Science Fiction in Global Literature | 15 | |
| Russian Optional Modules | ||
| Apocalypse/Utopia: The Russian Roots of Revolution | 15 | |
| Other Shores: Exile and Emigration in Russian Literature | 15 | |
| Exploring Revolution: The Making of Soviet Society and Culture in the 1920s | 15 | |
| Spanish Optional Modules | ||
| Women and Feminism in 20th Century Spain | 15 | |
| The Chilean Road to Socialism (1970-1973): What Happened and Why? Elements for a Debate | 15 | |
| "What is Love? And Do I Need It?" An Introduction to Spanish Renaissance Love Poetry | 15 | |
| Spanish Modernists: Narratives of Identity, Gender and Nation | 15 | |
| Advanced Translation Skills | 15 | |
Our languages
Combined Honours students can choose from one of the seven languages we offer at Exeter.
All languages are available at beginners level. French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish can be studied at advanced level.
In addition, there is also the possibility to take modules in an extra language through the Language Centre.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2026 entry
UK students: £9,790 per year
International students: £24,950 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships*. We also provide scholarships for sport, music and other achievements, alongside regional and partner awards such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. Financial support is available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details.
Learning and teaching
How will I learn?
We use a variety of learning and teaching methods including lectures, seminars, screenings, student study groups, web and IT resources. All of our modules centre the learning experience on seminars, involving groups of between 10 and 20 students, typically running for two hours. Many modules are supported by weekly 50-minute lectures. Students often prepare for seminars by getting involved with student study groups, which encourage collaboration and team working. You can also attend our ‘Creative Dialogues’ lecture series, which hosts internationally acclaimed actors, directors and film critics.
Facilities
Exeter has unique resources which make it ideally positioned to support the study of film. The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum holds a wide-ranging collection of more than 70,000 film related artefacts and is the largest research archive in any British University. The collection is available for all students to use as a research and study resource. Many of our film modules exploit these resources, giving students a highly distinctive and valuable experience of studying and researching film using primary materials, documents and artefacts. State of the art equipment in our Digital Humanities Lab enables the examination and analysis of these literary and visual materials.
Research inspired teaching
Teaching that is inspired by research ensures lectures are up-to-date and relevant. All staff teach second and third year options that are linked to their own interests which include areas such as: film history; adaptation; gender studies; issues of identity; European, Asian and American cinema and urban space in the cinema. Staff are also members of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Film Research (CIFR) which host talks with visiting speakers and our own staff about various research projects, to which all are welcome.
Academic support
From the beginning of your degree you will benefit from a focus on your personal and professional development alongside your academic performance. You will be supported by a personal tutor throughout your degree, be taught a range of study skills and receive employability training. You will also learn to work flexibly and creatively with others and engage in debate, as well as exercising independent thought to become an effective independent learner. In addition there are a number of services on campus where you can get advice and information, including the Students’ Guild Advice Unit.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a combination of exams, essays, presentations and sequence analyses (the detailed analysis of film clips). Your first year does not count towards your final degree classification, but you do have to pass it in order to progress. The assessments in the second year, year abroad (if applicable) and final year will contribute to your final degree classification.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Minors: Future Skills Pathways
You can study a Future Skills Pathway alongside your main degree by choosing up to 30 credits of modules from a different subject area in your second and final years.
Your future
Employer-valued skills this course develops
Film graduates from the University of Exeter have an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters and compete very successfully in the employment market.
A degree in Film Studies from the University of Exeter will enable you to acquire skills which are attractive to employers and relevant for a wide range of careers. You will develop an informed, critical and creative approach. Alongside strong oral and written communication skills, you will be able to manage your time and workload effectively, work well as part of a team or independently, be flexible when faced with new situations and have strong analytical skills.
Employer visits
We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service, ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. We offer the Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award which include employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market. Our graduates compete very successfully in the employment market, with many employers targeting the University when recruiting new graduates. For further information please visit our Careers Service.
Career paths
You will be equipped with skills that are attractive to employers and relevant for a wide range of careers, including graduate-level roles in Events Management, TV production, the film industry, publishing, education, sales, communications and marketing.
Example careers
- Accounts Executive
- Data and Research
- Analyst
- Digital Media Assistant
- Editor/Film-maker
- Innovations Coordinator
- Marketing Executive
- Market Researcher
- Post-production Assistant
- Production Runner
- PR Consultant
- Further study
Further study
Recent graduates have progressed to postgraduate courses in:
- MA English
- MA Film and Cinema
- MA Creative Writing
- MA International Film Business
- MA History
- MA Arts and Cinema Studies
- MA Film Studies
- MA Theology
- MRes in Sexuality and Gender Studies
