Film and History (BA)

Here’s how experiential learning comes to life in the BA Film & History degree at the University of Southampton — it goes far beyond traditional lectures and essays. You’ll gain hands-on experience with archives, immersive media tools, screenings, research projects, and cross-disciplinary resources that prepare you for careers in film, media, heritage, and more.

Facilities and Resources You’ll Access

• Film library with 5,800+ titles — including many rare and hard-to-find films, available for close study and screenings.

• Cinema-scale lecture theatre — equipped with surround sound, Blu-ray projection, and seating for around 140 students, perfect for film screenings and class viewings.

• Digital humanities technology — VR equipment, 3D scanning and printing, and a 360-degree immersive audiovisual centre for experimental media and research.

• Industry-standard video editing suite — giving you professional tools to create and refine coursework and creative projects.

• Hartley Library & Avenue Library — the Hartley Library is the central hub, while the Avenue Library holds key humanities and film collections.

• Archival treasures — including the Wellington, Palmerston and Mountbatten papers, plus the Parkes Jewish Studies archive.

• Avenue Campus — where much of your teaching takes place, featuring lecture and seminar rooms, six computer labs, postgraduate study space, and the Avenue Library.

• Cultural venues on campus — like the John Hansard Gallery, where you’ll engage directly with contemporary visual arts and exhibitions.

• Support from world-leading researchers — the Department of Film Studies brings cutting-edge scholarship directly into your learning experience.

Experiential Opportunities in the Programme

• Group and individual projects — ranging from film analysis and historical research to creative media projects, completed both solo and in teams.

• Internships and work experience — supported by the Careers & Employability service, helping you gain real-world experience in film, media, or heritage.

• Archive visits and primary research — modules often include trips to archives and direct engagement with historical documents and film collections.

• Summer school in Seoul — a four-week programme at Dongguk University, offering international film and cultural experience.

• Year Abroad option — spend a full year at a partner university overseas, with the chance to take modules and produce a study-abroad report.

• Capstone dissertation — your final year includes an independent research project on a film or history topic of your choice, guided by expert supervisors.

• Student film festival — showcase your own work by submitting a film to the university’s annual student festival.

• Multimedia coursework — use advanced editing software, immersive audiovisual tools, and digital humanities technology in your assignments.

• Interdisciplinary study — broaden your skills with optional modules in areas such as English, music, or other humanities.

In Short

This programme doesn’t just teach you film and history — it immerses you in them. From archival research and digital tools to creative projects, international experiences, and cultural engagement, you’ll graduate with a blend of academic knowledge and hands-on skills that open doors across film, media, and heritage sectors.

Graduate Outcomes (at a glance)

Graduates from this programme often find exciting opportunities in the creative and cultural industries, where they can combine their love of history with strong film and media skills. Typical career paths include roles such as film director or assistant director, film and video editor, production designer, location manager, or programme and research producer.

Here’s how your future can unfold:

University services to help you into employment

• Careers, Employability & Student Enterprise team – offering one-to-one career guidance, CV and interview workshops, access to the MyCareer jobs board, and the “Ask the Adviser” service.

• Work Experience and Placement team – supporting you to secure internships or a Year in Employment placement between years 2 and 3. Many of these placements are paid, with typical earnings of £18,000–£21,000.

• Humanities Careers Module Series – one module each year dedicated to building employability skills such as CV writing, applications, psychometric test practice, and networking with alumni and employers.

Employment stats & salary figures

• 96% of Southampton graduates are in work or further study shortly after graduation.

• The average graduate salary in the Southampton area is around £32,000 per year (with a typical range of £22,000–£54,000).

• Internships and placements through the university generally offer salaries of £18,000–£21,000.

University–industry partnerships (and practical outlets)

• The Film programme works closely with the university’s Careers Destination service to connect you with employers in the arts and media industries.

• On campus, you can gain hands-on production experience through Surge TV, the student-run television station, building a professional portfolio while you study.

• The Humanities school maintains an External Advisory Board made up of employers and research partners, ensuring the curriculum reflects real job market needs.

• The Excel Placement Scheme gives Humanities students access to 4- to 12-week paid placements with a wide range of external organisations.

Long-term value of your degree

• A degree from Southampton, a research-led and highly respected university, carries weight with both employers and academic institutions.

• The interdisciplinary mix of film and history equips you with flexible, in-demand skills—critical thinking, research ability, and visual analysis—that open doors across multiple sectors.

• Regularly updated modules mean the curriculum stays fresh and relevant to changes in film, media, and cultural studies.

Graduation outcomes

• Many graduates build careers in film, television, streaming, advertising, PR, or digital media agencies.

• Others pursue roles in cultural institutions or heritage organisations, drawing on their historical expertise.

• Some move into academia, research, teaching, or archival work.

• A number of graduates also go freelance or set up their own creative ventures.

Further academic progression

After completing your BA, you could take your studies further in a variety of directions:

• Master’s degrees in Film Studies, Media & Communications, or Cinematic Culture – to deepen your theoretical knowledge or production skills.

• MA/MSc in Public History, Museum Studies, or Heritage & Memory Studies – ideal for blending your historical and cultural interests.

• PhD opportunities in Film Studies or History – for those who want to contribute original scholarship and pursue academic careers.

• Interdisciplinary master’s programmes such as Film & Digital Humanities or Cultural Analytics – making the most of your dual background in film and history.