Film Studies A Level - Level 3
Overview
Film is a dominant art form, both reflecting and influencing society and culture. This A level will give you a broader knowledge of film, exploiring it over a range of time periods and movements including silent cinema, Hollywood, British film, American film, global films, documentary films and experimental films.
Learning to read films as more than a form of entertainment will develop your skills in analysis and interpretation. You will also have the opportunity to work on a practical film project of your own.
Visits to the cinema, and other course related places such as the National Media Museum, are planned to ensure that students gain a wider perspective of the film industry.
Based at the New Mansfield and Ashfield Sixth Form College, Chesterfield Road from September 2021.
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Entry requirements
Five GCSEs with at least grade 4/C including English language and maths.
You will need to supply a written reference from your school/college teacher and/or a current school or college report with an indication of your attendance pattern and achievements. This will need to be uploaded to your myVISION account by the end of May.
Following your application you will normally be offered a place to study A Levels subject to achieving the entry requirements and attending a welcome taster.
How long is the course?
A Level qualifications last two years.
How will I be assessed?
This course is assessed primarily by examination scheduled for May/June at the end of the second year with some additional coursework assessment.
Success rates
A Level pass rate 2020 - 100%
What does the course lead to?
A career in media would be open to you upon completion of this A Level. Specific employment could include journalism, film critic, scriptwriter, researcher or a role in film production.
What will I study?
Core examination units will cover exploring film over a range of time periods and movements including silent cinema, Hollywood 1930-1990, British film since 1995, American film since 2005, global films produced inside and outside of Europe, documentary films and experimental films.
There is also a coursework element for which you produce either a short film (4-5 minutes), or a screenplay for a short film, plus a digitally photographed storyboard.
Study programmes
It is an entry requirement for some courses to have gained GCSEs A*-C in English and maths (see entry requirements). If the entry requirements to a course do not require A*-C in these subjects, and you haven’t already gained GCSEs A*-C in English and maths before joining us, you will continue to study English and maths as part of your programme and take appropriate qualifications in these subjects with the aim of achieving A* to C grade. In addition, to help you gain essential skills for employment, every student aged under 19 and studying a full-time course at college will take part in our study programmes alongside their main subject qualification. Find out more.
What can I go on to study?
Access to degrees in cultural studies, creative writing, media studies, film production, social science or film and television studies, are all options for you upon completion of the Film Studies A Level.
How do I apply?
You don’t need to apply for each subject area you are interested in. Once we have received your application form we will invite you into college for an interview or audition where we will be able to discuss every aspect of the course you have chosen, as well as any alternatives you may be considering. You will also have the opportunity to visit the areas of the college used for your programme choice.
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