A Level Film Studies

Applications Open – Monday 3 November 2025

Applications Close – Friday 13 February 2026

Entry Requirements – Can be found on the course booklet on our website: https://4905753ff3cea231a868-376d75cd2890937de6f542499f88a819.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/bartoncourt/uploads/document/Sixth-Form-course-booklet-2026.pdf

How to Apply – Please apply via KentChoices

The study of film as an art form and an industry is a serious academic discipline with its own theories, concepts and terminology. Film has been one of the most powerful mass media of the 20th and 21st centuries and its study encourages students to make connections with history, art, literature, music, psychology, sociology and economics. The analysis of film language develops skills of cine-literacy which are transferable to many other subjects.

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking

This component assesses knowledge and understanding of six feature-length films.

Section A: Hollywood 1930-1990 (comparative study). One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two Hollywood films, one from the Classical Hollywood period (1930-1960) and the other from the New Hollywood period (1961-1990).

Section B: American film since 2005 (two-film study). One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two American films, one mainstream film and one contemporary independent film. Section C: British film since 1995 (two-film study). One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two British films.

Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives

This component assesses knowledge and understanding of five feature-length films (or their equivalent).

Section A: Global film (two-film study). One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two global films: one European and one produced outside Europe.

Section B: Documentary film. One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one documentary film.

Section C: Film movements – Silent cinema. One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one silent film or group of films.

Section D: Film movements – Experimental film (1960-2000). One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one film option.

Component 3: Production

This component assesses one production and its evaluative analysis. Learners produce: either a short film (4-5 minutes) or a screenplay for a short film (1600-1800 words) and a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay; an evaluative analysis (1250-1500 words).

Component 1: Written examination: 3 hours, 35% of qualification.

Component 2: Written examination: 3 hours, 35% of qualification.

Component 3: Non-exam assessment, 30% of qualification.

Sixth Form entry requirements, including GCSE Film Studies at grade 6 (if taken) or GCSE English Literature or English Language at grade 6.

The study of film as an art form and an industry is a serious academic discipline with its own theories, concepts and terminology. Film has been one of the most powerful mass media of the 20th and 21st centuries and its study encourages students to make connections with history, art, literature, music, psychology, sociology and economics. The analysis of film language develops skills of cine-literacy which are transferable to many other subjects. The study of film at A Level may help to open doors into many career options, including those in creative and media industries.