BA Film and Television

If you study BA Film and Television at Aberystwyth University, you won’t just learn about filmmaking — you’ll actually make films. From your very first day, you’ll have access to studios, cameras, editing suites, and more, helping you build hands-on skills. The course balances practical work with critical theory, so your creative ideas are grounded in real industry tools and challenges.

Here’s what experiential learning looks like on this course — and what you’ll get to do:

Work with real production tools and collaborate on genuine media projects:

• Use professional HD cameras (P2, AVCHD formats) as well as DSLR and GoPro kits.

• Work in large studios equipped with digital lighting rigs, audio systems, and all the technical setups you’d find in professional production.

• Edit and post-produce in suites with industry-standard software like Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro, including dedicated grading and dubbing facilities.

• Participate in group and individual video projects — fiction, documentary, or experimental — where you’ll write scripts, shoot, edit, and present your work in collaborative assignments.

• Keep production diaries, blogs, reflective journals, and video essays as part of your assessed work, helping you reflect on and improve your practice.

• Take a work placement or internship, typically in Year 2, using Aberystwyth’s industry connections (BBC, Tinopolis, Edinburgh International Film Festival) to gain real professional experience.

• In your final year, complete an independent research project or dissertation on a film or television topic of your choice, combining your creative and theoretical interests.

Benefit from campus facilities and industry partnerships:

• The Aberystwyth Arts Centre, right next to campus, hosts screenings, talks, festivals, exhibitions, and student film showings — providing rich cultural and creative opportunities.

• Work with close industry partners like BBC, S4C, BAFTA Cymru, Tribeca Film Festival, Fiction Factory, and Tinopolis, opening doors for placements, collaborations, and networking.

• Access rehearsal studios, wardrobe and costume facilities (especially if you take joint Drama/Film options), and performance spaces.

• Being part of the Department of Theatre, Film & Television means you can collaborate across disciplines like theatre, scenography, and media — so your work is never done in isolation.

This combination of real production tools, industry exposure, individual research, and creative projects makes the BA Film and Television at Aberystwyth a course where you truly do filmmaking — not just talk about it.

Graduate Outcomes Summary
Graduates from BA Film and Television often step into exciting roles across the media industry, including film and television production, editing, creative development, and arts management. You’ll leave with a strong creative portfolio and transferable skills that allow you to adapt across different areas of the media and creative sectors — giving you a versatile foundation for your career.

Typical Roles After Graduation

• Film/TV Producer or Assistant Producer

• Junior Editor / Post-Production Specialist

• Camera Operator / Cinematographer / Technical Crew

• Festival Programmer, Arts Administrator, or Media Marketer

Progression & Opportunities

University Services to Support Employment

• The Department of Theatre, Film & Television offers a dedicated Careers Consultant who provides tailored webinars, one-on-one guidance, and CV/portfolio support.

• The Aberystwyth Careers Service runs workshops, networking events, placement fairs, and maintains a jobs database focused on media and creative sectors.

• AberForward internship schemes give you the chance to gain real work experience during your studies or immediately after graduation.

• The department encourages freelancing and entrepreneurial projects through AberPreneurs, supporting students who want to launch their own creative initiatives.

Employment Statistics & Salary Outlook

• Aberystwyth graduates perform strongly in the job market: around 95% of full-time first-degree graduates were in work or further study six months after graduating.

• Approximately 76% of graduates were in professional graduate-level roles or pursuing further study.

• Salaries in film and television can vary widely depending on region, role, and experience, with many entry-level positions project-based. Career growth often comes as you build your portfolio.

University–Industry Partnerships

• Strong links exist with BBC Cymru Wales, S4C, Tinopolis, Edinburgh International Film Festival, National Theatre Wales, and Music Theatre Wales.

• The department is a certified AVID Learning Partner, offering training recognized by a major industry standard.

• Students have secured placements and collaborative projects with major organisations such as BBC, Tinopolis, and festival bodies.

• Being located next to Aberystwyth Arts Centre gives you access to live performance and film events, plus opportunities for on-campus collaborations.

Long-Term Accreditation & Recognition

• The degree balances rigorous academic theory with hands-on practice, preparing you for both creative and analytical work.

• Thanks to industry links and portfolio-focused training, your degree carries practical weight when applying to film companies, festivals, or freelance projects.

• Graduates are recognized for their creative skills and analytical abilities, offering versatility across not just film and television, but also related media, arts, and cultural sectors.

Graduation Outcomes – What Alumni Do

• Many alumni work in production roles, including directing, camera operation, editing, and floor management.

• Some pursue careers in film distribution, marketing, PR, arts administration, or festival programming.

• Others work as freelancers or take on project-based roles in media.

• A few move into education, research, or critique within film and media studies.

Further Academic Progression
After completing the BA Film and Television, there are several natural pathways for further study:

• Master’s (MA / MSc) in Film, Media, or Television Studies – deepen research skills or specialise in areas such as Documentary, Digital Media, or Animation.

• MFA in Filmmaking / Production / Screenwriting – for hands-on, intensive craft training.

• PhD / MPhil in Media, Film, or Cultural Studies – for research, teaching, or scholarly careers.

• Related Postgraduate Degrees – Media Management, Digital Media Technologies, or Arts & Cultural Leadership are great for combining creative and managerial expertise.

If you like, I can also make a shorter, punchier “student-friendly” version that’s perfect for brochures or website use, keeping the same structure but with a more conversational tone.