BA Hons Film Studies

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University College Dublin

Program Overview

The Film Studies Joint Major at University College Dublin gives you the tools to critically explore film, television, and media as powerful cultural forms that shape how we see the world. You will engage with classic and contemporary cinema, learn to analyse screen cultures, and build persuasive writing and critical thinking skills that are valuable across many careers.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

In the first year, you will build a solid foundation in film and media studies by exploring key artistic, cultural, and theoretical aspects of moving images. You will take core modules such as Introduction to Film and Media and Introduction to Film and Media Theory, and have options like Cinema Creatives or Media and Globalisation, which introduce you to global media landscapes and the basic vocabulary of cinema. This year is ideal for students curious about how films communicate meaning and impact society.

Second Year

In the second year, your learning becomes more specialised as you examine cinema’s genres, histories, and social contexts. You can choose from modules such as Irish Cinema and TV, Genre: Action/Adventure, Documentary and Society, History of Television, Global Bollywood, Screen Comedy, and Women’s Authorship in American Cinema. This variety of modules allows you to deepen your understanding of how films reflect and influence cultural identities and global audiences.

Third Year

In the final year, you will engage with advanced themes and contemporary topics. Options include Alternative and Independent Cinema, Feminist Media Studies, Animation, 21st Century Television, Cinema and the City: New York, Sports Documentaries, Whiteness, Ethnicity and US Culture, and Digital Media Cultures. These modules let you explore modern debates in screen media, from representation and diversity to urban cultural narratives and digital media trends.

Focus Areas

Critical film analysis, global screen cultures, media theory, genre studies, historical and contemporary cinema

Learning Outcomes

You will graduate able to interpret films and media with depth, write clear and persuasive analyses, understand cultural contexts of media production, and apply critical theory to screen texts

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This programme is part of the BA Joint Honours degree (NFQ Level 8) at UCD, recognised nationally and internationally within Arts and Humanities

Reputation (Employability and Rankings)

University College Dublin is ranked among the top universities globally for Communication and Media Studies, reflecting strong academic quality and employability potential

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UCD’s Film Studies Joint Major, you won’t just read about cinema — you’ll actively engage with moving images, develop analytical and creative skills, and make the most of UCD’s academic and cultural resources. The programme emphasises active learning through seminar discussions, in-depth analysis, film screenings, and collaborative projects that reflect how film discourse works in the real world. While the degree builds strong critical and theoretical foundations, there are opportunities to deepen your experience by engaging with film culture beyond the classroom, supported by UCD’s rich academic environment and Dublin’s vibrant film scene:

Here’s how you’ll gain hands-on, practical and professional experience:

Access to UCD’s extensive libraries, including the James Joyce Library, which provides resources for English, Drama, and Film research, helping you explore primary sources, film studies scholarship, and media archives for coursework and projects.
Film screenings and discussions through modules such as Cinema Creatives, which immerse you in contemporary cinema culture and include insights from industry practitioners.
Collaborative group learning through module projects and presentations that mirror professional and academic film criticism contexts, strengthening your ability to work with others and communicate complex ideas.
Opportunities to engage with Dublin’s Irish Film Institute, offering additional viewing experiences and cultural context that support your studies.
Participation in UCD’s vibrant research community, including talks, workshops, and events that broaden your analytical and creative perspectives and connect you with peers with shared interests.
Study abroad and international exchange options through the joint honours programme, allowing you to experience film cultures in other countries and bring an international perspective to your studies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the Film Studies Joint Major often go on to careers where strong critical thinking, communication, and media analysis skills are highly valued. You might find yourself working in broadcasting and journalism, film and television production, arts curation and media management, or education and research. UCD provides robust support to help you turn your degree into meaningful work:

Dedicated career support through the UCD Careers Network offers guidance from your first year onwards, including one-to-one advice on CVs, applications, interview preparation, and career planning. The service also organises recruitment fairs, employer events, networking opportunities, and provides digital tools to help you find jobs and internships, continuing support for up to two years after graduation.
UCD graduates enjoy strong overall employment outcomes, with the university consistently ranked among the top globally for graduate employability. This reflects the value employers place on a UCD degree and the practical support you receive while preparing for the job market.
Opportunities to build professional networks and industry experience come through employer-led workshops, alumni panels, and career fairs that connect students with professionals in media, culture, communications, and related fields.
The degree’s long-term accreditation value is supported by UCD’s global reputation and recognition in graduate employability rankings, helping open doors both in Ireland and internationally.
Typical graduate destinations include education (schools and universities), broadcasting and journalism (traditional and digital media), marketing and promotion roles, arts curation and cultural management, archival and research positions, and film and television production roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Film Studies Joint Major, many students choose to continue with postgraduate study to specialise further. At UCD’s School of English, Drama and Film, you can pursue a Master’s in Film Studies, which develops advanced critical, analytical, and research skills and includes in-depth study of media history, theory, and culture. Beyond the Master’s, there are MLitt and PhD research options that prepare you for academic careers or high-level cultural and research roles, supported by UCD’s strong research community and mentoring networks.