BA Film Studies and East Asian Studies

One of the best things about studying BA Film Studies and East Asian Studies at Manchester is that it’s not just about sitting in lectures and reading theory — you actually do things. From film screenings to cultural fieldwork, you’ll be getting real exposure to cinema and East Asian cultures while you’re still a student. The course is designed to bring your analytical skills together with hands-on experience.

🎬 Experiential Learning in This Degree

On this course, you’ll find yourself moving seamlessly from lecture rooms into screening rooms, from seminars into collaborative projects, and from archival research into independent study. Every step is about engaging directly with materials, ideas, and cultural practices.

• Film screenings are a regular part of your studies — giving you the chance to watch, analyse, and discuss films as they were meant to be seen.

• Teaching formats go beyond lectures: you’ll take part in seminars, tutorials, group projects, and detailed film analyses — often working with classmates to research and present ideas.

• Research and fieldwork are built in: you’ll spend time in the library and archives, collect data, or even engage in linguistic fieldwork as part of your assessments.

• In your final year, you’ll have the option to design your own dissertation — a substantial piece of research where you explore a topic that really excites you.

📚 Facilities, Institutes & Support Systems

To make this kind of learning possible, Manchester offers a range of resources and spaces to support you:

• The Confucius Institute — where you can connect with native speakers, join cultural events, and deepen your understanding of Chinese culture.

• A wide choice of language study: you can learn Chinese, Japanese, or Korean alongside your Film Studies modules.

• The university library system, which holds rich film, media, and East Asian collections for your research.

• Small-group seminars and tutorials, where you can test your ideas, get feedback, and develop confidence in discussion.

✅ Summary: What You’ll Actually Do

• Attend film screenings as a key part of your degree

• Work on group projects and collaborative assignments

• Carry out research in libraries, archives, and cultural materials

• Do linguistic or cultural fieldwork

• Produce an independent dissertation or major research project in your final year

Graduate Outcomes — At a Glance

When you finish this degree, you’ll be ready to step into creative, cultural, and media careers, or take the academic route through research and teaching. Along the way, you’ll build critical, analytical, and cross-cultural skills that let you move confidently between film, media, arts, and Asian studies contexts.

Some of the roles graduates often go into include:

• Film/Media Critic, Programmer or Curator

• Film & Television Producer / Assistant Producer

• Cultural Liaison / East Asia Specialist (in media, NGOs, trade)

• Academic Researcher / Lecturer in Film, Asian Studies or Media

How Manchester supports your next steps

Careers support & post-graduation help

• You’ll have access to the University’s Careers Service, which offers subject-specific advice, one-to-one guidance, internship opportunities, plus help with CVs and interviews.

• That support continues for up to two years after you graduate, so you don’t have to navigate the job market alone.

Employment prospects

• Graduates from this degree find work in film, television, journalism, theatre, arts administration, academia and related fields.

• The combination of film and East Asian studies makes you more adaptable and employable in today’s changing global job market.

• (While there isn’t a set salary figure listed, typical entry-level roles in the UK media and cultural industries start around £20–30k, with strong progression opportunities as you gain experience.)

Links with industry and cultural partners

• The course connects with the Confucius Institute at Manchester, opening doors to Chinese-speaking communities and organisations.

• You can take a placement year in your third year, giving you valuable hands-on experience and industry contacts before graduating.

• Manchester itself is a hub for film, theatre, and cultural festivals, offering rich opportunities for internships, collaborations, and professional exposure.

Long-term value of your degree

• The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students, so you can trust the quality and standards of your degree.

• A Manchester qualification is globally respected, giving you an edge whether you pursue work or further study at home or abroad.

• With its unique blend of cultural studies, film, and area studies, this degree stays relevant even as industries evolve.

Graduate outcomes in more detail

• Many graduates pursue careers in film and broadcast, journalism, theatre, community arts, arts administration, teaching, or applied theatre.

• Others continue with postgraduate study in Film Studies, Creative Writing, Screenwriting, or related areas.

• Thanks to its balance of theoretical depth, language study, and placement options, the programme keeps your career pathways flexible—whether you’re drawn to practice, policy, education, or research.

Further academic progression

If you decide to continue academically after your BA, you’ll have a strong foundation to move forward:

• Master’s programmes in Film Studies, Media & Communications, Cultural Studies, East Asian Studies, or Comparative Literature.

• Specialist postgraduate options at Manchester, where high-achieving undergraduates may benefit from priority entry.

• Progression to doctoral research (PhD) in areas such as film theory, Asian cinema, media studies, or cultural studies.

• Professional or applied postgraduate courses in fields like film production, media policy, or arts management—perfect if you want to combine theory with industry-ready skills.