Film and Media - BA (Hons)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queen Margaret University

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Film and Media at Queen Margaret University offers an exciting mix of creative production and critical media study. You’ll explore film, moving image, and the wider media industries through hands-on projects and in-depth analysis. This course is perfect for anyone passionate about visual storytelling, eager to combine practical filmmaking with an understanding of how media shapes culture and society.

Curriculum Structure

Year One:
Your first year lays the foundation for your creative and academic development. You’ll study key ideas in film and media such as narrative, popular culture and citizenship, through modules like Studying Cinema, Analysing Stories and Film Histories. At the same time, you’ll get behind the camera in Creative Practice: Visual Storytelling and Creative Practice: Fiction Film, learning the essentials of editing, lighting, framing, and storytelling.

Year Two:
In second year, you’ll deepen your understanding of the cultural and industrial contexts of media. Modules such as Film Genre, Popular Media Cultures and Media, Politics and Culture will help you see how media connects to everyday life. You’ll also continue to refine your production skills through Creative Practice: Researching Documentary and Creative Practice: Client Project, applying what you learn to real-world creative work.

Years Three & Four:
Your final years offer more choice and independence. You might study topics like Global Film Cultures, Working in the Film and Creative Industries and Designing Research Projects, helping you prepare for your professional career or an international study experience. In your final year, you’ll complete either a major creative project or a written dissertation, alongside modules such as Modernity on Screen and electives in areas like Screenwriting, Film Festivals or Photography and Visual Culture.

Focus Areas

Film production and media creation
Critical film and media analysis
Storytelling through visual and sound media
Professional practice within the creative industries
Global and cultural perspectives on media

Learning Outcomes

By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to produce creative film and media projects — from screenwriting and directing to editing, photography, and audio production. You’ll also develop the ability to critically analyse media and its role in society. Graduates leave as confident, adaptable professionals with strong teamwork, communication, and digital skills — ready for the fast-evolving creative industries.

Professional Alignment

While not formally accredited by an external professional body, the programme adheres to Queen Margaret University’s rigorous academic standards and the UK’s higher education quality frameworks, ensuring that your learning meets professional and industry expectations.

Reputation & Employability

Queen Margaret University is consistently recognised for its graduate success — ranking among the top six Scottish universities for graduates in full-time employment within 15 months of finishing their degree.

Graduates from this course have gone on to exciting roles in film and television production, media research, marketing, and the wider cultural and creative industries.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re thinking about studying BA (Hons) Film & Media at Queen Margaret University, you’ll discover a course that’s much more than just theory—it’s all about getting hands-on with real creative work. From day one, you’ll be developing your technical and artistic abilities through production workshops, industry-connected projects, and real client collaborations. With access to professional equipment, dedicated studio spaces, and expert guidance, you’ll graduate with a strong portfolio that proves you’re ready to step straight into the film or media world.

Here are some of the key experiential learning opportunities you’ll enjoy:

Specialist facilities on campus: You’ll work in professional-standard spaces like the film editing suite and production studios, complete with a photography area, green screen, and full lighting setup.
Professional software tools: Students get hands-on experience with industry software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects, and Audition—essential tools for film and media professionals.
Collaborative filmmaking from the start: In your very first year, you’ll take part in group workshops to produce a short fiction film (up to three minutes), helping you learn the full creative process alongside your peers.
Real client projects: By Year 2, you’ll be creating media content for actual organisations—pitching, planning, and delivering professional-standard work like promotional videos or social media campaigns.
Public screenings of student work: In your final year, your film could be screened at a cinema in central Edinburgh—an amazing opportunity to showcase your talent and experience the excitement of a professional film premiere.
Entrepreneurial support: If you’re thinking about starting your own creative venture, the university’s Start-Up Studio and Business Gateway can help you launch your own production company while you study.
Study abroad opportunities: In Year 3, you can choose to spend a semester overseas, gaining new perspectives and expanding your international network.
Creative or research-based final project: For your dissertation, you can choose between a written or practical project—anything from a short film or photography piece to a screenwriting or video essay project. You can even focus on a specific role like directing, editing, or writing.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to step into creative and dynamic roles such as Film or TV Producer, Media Content Creator, Digital Media Manager, or Broadcast Researcher. The hands-on, industry-informed training you’ll receive throughout the course ensures you have both the creative vision and the professional skills to thrive in these fields.

At Queen Margaret University, career development is built into your student journey from the very start. The Careers & Employability Service offers one-to-one guidance, CV clinics, job and internship listings, drop-in sessions, and valuable alumni connections. You’ll also have access to Student Central, an active vacancy platform where you can explore opportunities for part-time work, internships, and graduate roles — all designed to help you gain experience while you study.

Many graduates from QMU’s Film and Media programmes have gone on to work with major organizations such as the BBC, STV, and a range of independent production companies. The course is also supported by the university’s strong network of industry partnerships, including collaborations through QMU’s Knowledge Exchange – Services for Business & Industry initiative. This means you’ll benefit from real-world insight, professional links, and opportunities to engage with projects that reflect current trends in the media and creative sectors.

The programme sits within QMU’s School of Arts, Social Sciences & Management, known for its focus on employability and industry relevance across all creative and communication disciplines. Students on related degrees have consistently reported high satisfaction levels — with 91% rating the quality of teaching and 87% praising the learning opportunities available.

Altogether, you’ll graduate with structured career support, valuable professional connections, and the confidence to succeed in a wide range of media and creative roles.

Further Academic Progression

After completing your BA (Hons) Film and Media, you can take your expertise further with postgraduate study in areas such as Film Production, Media Management, Digital Communications, or Creative Industries. These advanced degrees can help you move into senior positions like Director of Media Strategy, Head of Content Development, or even pursue academic and research careers within the media field.