BA (Hons) Film Production with Foundation Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Canterbury Christ Church University

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Film Production with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University is designed for creative minds passionate about visual storytelling and hands-on filmmaking. The course blends theory and practice, helping students develop technical expertise, artistic vision, and the collaborative skills essential for success in today’s film and media industries.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year:
The foundation year provides a strong introduction to creative and academic study, perfect for students who need to build confidence before entering degree-level work. You’ll explore topics such as Introduction to Creative Industries, Foundations of Media Practice, and Exploring Film and Television, helping you develop key analytical, technical, and creative skills that prepare you for the main degree.

Year 1 (Level 4):
In your first year, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of filmmaking — from script to screen. Modules such as Introduction to Film Production, Cinematography and Post-Production, and The Language of Film will teach you how to plan, shoot, and edit short films while also understanding cinematic storytelling and visual style.

Year 2 (Level 5):
You’ll refine your production techniques and begin developing your creative identity as a filmmaker. Modules like Documentary Practice, Fiction Filmmaking, and Professional Film Practice give you hands-on experience working on diverse projects, collaborating in production teams, and learning industry workflows used by professional crews.

Year 3 (Level 6):
In your final year, you’ll focus on advanced production and independent work that showcases your creativity and technical mastery. Modules such as Major Film Project, Contemporary Film Practices, and Industry Engagement allow you to create a portfolio-ready project while building connections with professionals through guest talks, festivals, and live briefs.

Focus Areas: filmmaking, cinematography, directing, post-production, storytelling, industry practice

Learning Outcomes: graduates gain the creative, technical, and collaborative skills to produce compelling visual content, manage professional productions, and critically analyse film in cultural and industrial contexts

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): industry-informed curriculum designed with professional equipment, workflows, and engagement with guest filmmakers and media experts

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Canterbury Christ Church University ranks among the UK’s top 10 for graduates in employment (HESA: Graduate Outcomes 2023), reflecting strong professional preparation and creative industry relevance.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re thinking about studying the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Film Production with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University, here’s a clear look at how you’ll gain practical, hands-on experience right from the start — with access to excellent tools, facilities, and real industry exposure.

You’ll begin with the foundation year, which is designed to help you build confidence and develop your study skills before moving on to the main Film Production degree. Once you progress, you’ll step into a studio-based course where around 70% of your learning is practical and 30% is theoretical — meaning you’ll spend most of your time creating, filming, and editing rather than just reading about it.

At the heart of this degree is a strong focus on real-world production practice. You’ll be working with industry-standard equipment, creating your own short films and projects, and steadily growing your technical and creative skills so you’re ready for professional film and television work.

Here’s what that looks like in action:

High-end film equipment: You’ll train on professional digital film cameras such as the Blackmagic Pocket, Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro, and Arri-Alexa Mini LF — the same kinds of cameras used on major productions.
Post-production tools: You’ll have access to full editing and sound facilities, including AVID Media Composer, the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, and portable audio gear like Marantz, Zoom, and Rode equipment — perfect for film, documentary, or podcast production.
Professional studio spaces: The university offers a TV studio and TV gallery, multi-purpose studios, and dedicated film-making spaces equipped with lighting rigs and other production tools.
Industry engagement: You’ll learn directly from professionals through guest lectures and masterclasses with organisations such as the British Film Institute (BFI), NBC Universal, BBC, ITV Studios, and Netflix.
Supportive learning environment: You’ll also benefit from the university’s Augustine House library, packed with both physical and digital resources, and enjoy a campus in the beautiful heritage city of Canterbury, an inspiring setting for creative work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

If you choose to study BA (Hons) Film Production with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University, you’ll be setting yourself up for a creative and rewarding future in the film and media industry. Many graduates go on to exciting roles such as film director, camera operator, production coordinator, or post-production editor, typically earning around £24,000 within 15 months of graduation. You’ll graduate ready to make your mark in the creative industries.

Progression & Future Opportunities

University Support:
From your first year, you’ll have access to the university’s Careers and Enterprise service, which helps you prepare for life after graduation. They’ll guide you through CV building, internship and placement opportunities, and host networking events featuring industry guests from major organisations such as Netflix, ITV Studios, the British Film Institute (BFI) and leading post-production companies.

Graduate Success:
Nearly 90% of Cinematics & Photography graduates from the university are either in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree. Average starting salaries sit around £24,000, reflecting strong employability and the real-world skills gained during the course.

Industry Connections:
This course is officially partnered with the British Film Institute (BFI), which means you’ll benefit from professional insights, access to the BFI Player, and opportunities to connect directly with one of the UK’s most influential film bodies.

Practical Industry Skills:
You’ll gain hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment such as Arri Alexa Mini LF and Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro cameras — the same technology used on professional sets. This ensures that when you graduate, your technical and production skills are recognised and valued by employers in the film and television industries.

Career Destinations:
According to graduate surveys, about 20% of students from this subject area move into artistic, literary, or media occupations, while around 45% go on to highly skilled professional roles — a testament to the practical and creative grounding the degree provides.

Further Academic Progression

After completing your degree, you may choose to build on your expertise with a master’s in Film & Media Production or a related discipline. This can allow you to specialise further in areas like directing, cinematography, or post-production. You might also pursue industry-accredited short courses or professional diplomas to sharpen your technical abilities and stand out in a competitive industry.