Film Studies

Applications Open: - 30 January 2026

Applications Close: - 8 May 2026

Entry Requirements: - For entry onto our A Level and BTEC courses we require:

• a minimum of 6 separately identifiable GCSE subjects at an average grade 5.5 or above and at least a grade 5 in English and a grade 4 in Mathematics;

• a grade 6 or above in the chosen course of study or a related subject as specified in the sixth form prospectus.

• two grade 7sin Mathematics or Sciences, to study 2 or more Sciences or Mathematics and Science.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Why choose Film Studies?

Film Studies forces students to look at the medium of cinema through a deeply analytical and critical lense. It is a subject that engages, challenges and inspires the student to adjust their perspectives whilst developing a deep understanding and rich appreciation of a historical and influential creative expression.

Film Studies will alter the way you consume cinema texts forever.

Exam Component 1 [35% of qualification] - 'Varieties of Film and Film Making' Study areas:

● A Comparative Study of The Classic Hollywood Era [1930 - 1960] followed by The New Hollywood Era [1961 - 1990] with a two film comparative textual analysis. Core Study areas foregrounding context and auteur. Section A - Component 1 of the exam. [40 marks]

● American Film since 2005 - a two film study for Section B of Component 1 exam. A given film from mainstream America will be analysed and compared with a contemporary American Independent film. Core study areas will be spectatorship and ideologies. [40 marks]

● British Cinema - [since 1995] A comparative study of set texts. Core study areas - narrative and ideology. Section C of Component 1 exam. [40 marks]

Exam Component 2 [35% of qualification] - 'Global Film Making Perspectives' - Study areas:

● Global Film - A Comparative study of two foreign language films; one to be European and one produced outside of Europe. Section A Component 2 [40 marks]

● Documentary Film - An exploration of one Documentary film utilising Filmmaker theories and Critical Debates. Section B Component 2 [20 marks]

● Film Movements - The Silent cinema era - A given silent film will be analysed alongside the Critical Debate 'The realist and the expressive'. Section C Component 2.

● Experimental Film - [1960-2001] A given film will be analysed alongside core study areas of narrative and auteur. Section D Component 2 [20 marks]

NEA [30% of the qualification]:

Composing a screenplay for a short film [1600 - 1800 words] with accompanying story-board [approx. 20 shots] and evaluation [1600 -1800 words].

Two exams and an NEA

Students require a minimum of a grade 6 in GCSE English Literature or English Language.

Skills and Progression:

Film Studies is a critical exploration of a range of cinematic forms rich in analysis. This qualification offers a broad and coherent course of study which allows learners the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and understanding of film. The content will be assessed across two examination components and one production component. All learners will study a variety of film texts in relation to the core study areas with some film topics requiring the study of additional specialist topic areas including narrative, ideology and spectatorship. In addition, for the coursework component of the programme of study, students will create a Film production, in Screenwriting synoptically drawing on the cinematic influences and insights gained from the range of the films studied throughout the course. This allows learners the freedom to express their own practical interests as potential film-makers whilst utilising their knowledge of deep textual analysis.