Film Studies

Applications Open: 13th November, 2025

Applications Close: 31st January, 2026

Entry Requirements: These are unique to each subject (located on the subject information page).

How to Apply: Please apply via KentChoices

You should only choose one subject per options block with a maximum of three subjects overall.

This specification is designed to encourage candidates to:

• Introduce A Level learners to a wide variety of films from the past and present.

• Expose students to range of films from different time periods, nationalities and cultures

• Broaden students’ knowledge and understanding of film and the range of responses films can generate, including the different ways in which spectators respond to film.

• Gain a sense of the development of film from its early years to its still emerging digital future.

• Develop an understanding of how films generate meanings and responses.

• Give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the construction of their own films and screenplays.

• Apply critical approaches to film.

• Apply knowledge and understanding of film through either filmmaking or screenwriting.

Students will learn about:

• A diverse range of film, including documentary, cinema from the silent era, experimental film and short film.

• The Classical Hollywood period (1930-1960) and the New Hollywood period (1961-1990)

• Recent and contemporary British films since 1995

• American independent films since 2005

• Global films, both non-English language and English language

• The significance of film and film practice in national, global, and historical contexts

• The social, cultural, political, historical, and technological contexts of film

Component 1 - 30% (60 marks)

Component 2 - 20% (40 marks)

Component 3 is the NEA - 30% of final grade (60 marks)

Candidates would be expected to have successfully completed five passes at GCSE grade 4 or above, including one of the following: GCSE English Grade 4

This course provides opportunities for continued studies in Film Studies at university. Many career paths are available, including jobs such as: broadcast engineer; broadcast presenter; camera operator; director; director of photography; editor; engineering for television and film; location manager; presenting; programme researcher; producer; production designer; prop master; and screenwriter.