BA History with Film Studies

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Essex

Program Overview

This degree blends history and film in a way that helps you understand not just what happened in the past, but also how those events have been represented on screen and in the media. By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed strong skills in critical thinking, storytelling, and visual culture. It’s perfect for students who love history but also want to explore film theory, media production, and the power of visual narratives in shaping our understanding of the past.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll lay the foundations in both history and film. You might study modules like Rebellious Pasts, which introduces you to historical thinking, primary sources, and historical writing, alongside film units such as Approaches to Film and Media, exploring cinema in its historical and cultural context. You’ll start building research skills, learning how to analyze films, and experimenting with film production tools in hands-on workshops.

Year 2
In the second year, you’ll dive deeper into specific themes. You could study aspects of modern history, such as social and cultural change in Europe or global perspectives, while also exploring film through modules on genres, authorship, and production — think narrative cinema, documentary, or screenwriting. You’ll practice applying theory to real screenings and can choose optional modules to focus on your interests, like national cinemas or film industry studies.

Final Year
Your third year brings everything together through a major project — either an 8,000-word historical dissertation or a research report paired with a public history output, like a film script or podcast. You’ll also take advanced film theory and production units, exploring areas such as film historiography, adaptation, or film cultures. This year is all about refining your analytical, creative, and independent research skills, preparing you for either a career or further study.

Focus Areas

History (from early modern to modern, including global perspectives)
Film analysis and theory
Film production and media practice

Learning Outcomes
Graduates leave with the ability to research and write critically about both historical and film topics, interpret visual sources and cinematic texts in context, create media-based works (like scripts, short films, or digital storytelling), and present well-informed, persuasive interpretations to different audiences.

Professional Alignment
Although this course isn’t professionally accredited in the same way as vocational degrees, it’s designed to build highly transferable skills — research, writing, media production, and critical thinking — which are valuable for careers in heritage, media, journalism, curation, or public history.

Reputation & Employability
The University of Essex is ranked among the top 30 UK universities in the Guardian University Guide 2024. Many Essex graduates go on to work in publishing, journalism, media production, government, civil service, or heritage organizations, benefiting from the unique combination of history and film expertise.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Essex, the BA History with Film Studies degree emphasizes practical, hands-on learning alongside academic study. Students gain direct experience in both historical research and film production, benefiting from industry-standard facilities and expert guidance. The program allows you to explore local and global history, understand the evolution of film, and develop skills highly valued in both heritage and media sectors.

Experiential learning opportunities include:

Access to the Essex Record Office for archival research and engagement with local history projects.
Hands-on film production experience through the Centre for Film and Screen Media, working with industry-standard equipment and learning production management.
Placement year opportunities, supported by the Employability and Careers Centre, allowing professional experience in museums, archives, or media industries.
Study abroad or placement abroad, providing exposure to different cultures, languages, and academic environments.
Group projects and collaborative workshops in both historical research and film-making.
Specialist libraries and research resources within the Departments of History and Literature, Film and Theatre Studies.
Opportunities for volunteering at local museums, archives, and heritage sites to gain practical experience.
Expert supervision from award-winning film-makers, scholars, and media specialists, fostering both creative and critical skills.

This combination of academic study and real-world engagement ensures graduates leave with both knowledge and practical experience ready for a wide range of career paths.

Progression & Future Opportunities

As a graduate of BA History with Film Studies at Essex, you’ll leave with skills that blend cultural insight, storytelling, and media production. Many alumni go on to work as film and television researchers, archive curators, film programmers or critics, production assistants, or content producers. These roles draw directly on your understanding of both historical context and cinematic culture.

Here’s what makes your future promising—and how Essex supports you:

University Support Toward Employment
The Essex Employability & Careers Centre helps you with CVs, job fairs, internships, and employer connections. Through on-campus support and the online CareerHub+, you’ll have guidance at every step. The university also collaborates with media organisations to provide internships, work placements, and voluntary opportunities, giving you real-world experience before you graduate.

Industry Connections & Partnerships
The Essex Film Office offers training and guidance for students, including helping you find work experience or trainee roles in local film and TV productions. The department also partners with national organisations such as the BFI and ScreenSkills to nurture your production skills and industry knowledge.

Employment Statistics & Earnings
While exact figures for this degree aren’t published, data from related literature and film courses at Essex offers insight:

Around 15 months after graduation, the median salary is ~£23,000.
Three years out, the median rises to ~£23,500, and five years out, around £26,500.
Many graduates enter arts and media roles, as well as administrative, managerial, and creative positions.

Accreditation & Long-Term Value
Your degree comes from a research-active university, enhancing its credibility. Essex is recognised for high-quality teaching and student satisfaction, and the Film Studies department consistently ranks well in UK guides. Over your career, the skills you gain—critical thinking, research, cultural literacy, and media production—offer flexibility across sectors and resilience in a rapidly changing job market.

Typical Graduate Outcomes

Building a professional portfolio of film or video work (production, editing, scripting)
Contributing to film festivals, curating programmes, or writing film criticism
Working in heritage institutions, archives, museums, or educational programming
Taking production roles within media organisations or creative agencies

Further Academic Progression
After your BA, you can deepen your expertise through postgraduate studies, such as an MA in Film Studies, MA in Cultural History, MA in Media & Screen Studies, or MA in Public History / Heritage Studies. These courses allow you to specialise in areas like film theory, historical film practice, or heritage work, opening pathways into research, academia, or senior curatorial and managerial roles.