Filmmaking - BA (Hons)

If you’re thinking about studying BA (Hons) Filmmaking at Birmingham City University, you’ll find it’s designed to immerse you in real, hands-on learning from day one. The course focuses on developing your practical filmmaking skills through real production experiences — using professional equipment, collaborating on creative projects, and learning from industry-active tutors in the university’s purpose-built studios and post-production facilities. It’s not just about studying film theory — it’s about making films, telling stories, and learning how the industry really works.

Here’s how experiential learning is built into the course:

• Practical production experience: You’ll take part in dedicated film production projects where you’ll apply your knowledge of filmmaking styles and conventions — from Hollywood storytelling to international and experimental cinema — while developing your own creative voice.

• Access to professional equipment: Students train with industry-standard tools and facilities, including access to specialist kit such as “The Bolt” motion-control rig, giving you a taste of professional studio production.

• Collaborative projects: Teamwork is central to the course. You’ll work alongside other filmmaking students — and sometimes with peers from related disciplines — on shared creative briefs that mirror real-world production environments.

• Industry placement year: After your second year, you can choose to take a professional placement year, gaining invaluable experience working within the film or media industry before you graduate.

• Industry-focused modules: Modules like Film Festival Programming and Film Entrepreneurship help you understand the business side of film — from funding and distribution to audience engagement and market positioning.

• Outstanding facilities and resources: You’ll have access to professional studios, edit suites, and screening rooms, as well as extensive film archives and collections that support both your creative and academic development.

Choosing the BA (Hons) Filmmaking at Birmingham City University is a smart move if you’re looking to turn your creativity into a career. This course sets you up for an exciting future in the screen industries — whether you see yourself as a Film Producer, Director of Photography, Editor, or Production Coordinator. It’s a hands-on degree that helps you master the art of storytelling, visual craft, and innovation across film, TV, and emerging media formats.

Here’s how your future could unfold:

University support for your career:
From day one, you’ll have access to BCU’s dedicated Employability team, who are there to help you secure work placements, polish your CV, and prepare for interviews. They also connect students with a wide range of employers — local, national, and even international — helping you build your professional network before you graduate.

Employment prospects and salary outlook:
While exact statistics for this course aren’t available, the university reports that most graduates go into employment or further study within six months of finishing their degree. Creative media graduates from similar courses typically earn around £21,000–£22,000 about 15 months after graduation, and many quickly progress as they build experience in the industry.

Industry connections and facilities:
You’ll be studying in the university’s impressive Parkside and Curzon buildings, which house state-of-the-art film, animation, and photography studios. The course is built around real industry practice — meaning you’ll work on real productions and gain experience with professional equipment, including the motion control rig known as “The Bolt”, used in high-end film shoots.

The value of your degree:
This course is part of BCU’s “Film Futures” suite, which focuses on practical, career-ready skills in production, cinematography, editing, sound, and storytelling. As a TEF Gold-rated university for student experience, Birmingham City University gives you the confidence that your qualification carries strong professional and academic recognition.

Graduate outcomes:
By the time you finish, you’ll have a strong creative portfolio, a deep understanding of how the industry works, and the ability to adapt to new trends in media. You can even take an optional professional placement year, gaining real-world experience that often leads to job offers once you graduate.

Further academic progression:
After completing your BA (Hons) Filmmaking, you could continue your journey with a Master’s degree such as MA Media Production or MA Creative Industries, or you might specialise through professional certifications in areas like advanced editing, VFX, or VR production. If you’re interested in moving into leadership or entrepreneurship, combining your creative skills with business or marketing studies is another great path forward.