Film Studies A Level

Applications open: 10 November 2025

Application deadline: 13th February 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 x GCSEs Grade 4-9 including English. Maths desirable. Please see individual courses for subject entry requirements. Please visit our website for more information https://www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk/830/welcome

Subject Choices: - You will need to select a minimum of 3 subjects to study and these can be a mixture of A Levels and BTECs with SEFA and MWBA in addition to your full time studies.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Qualifications: Eduqas A Level in Film Studies. Students will develop practical and analytical skills, learning about: how to identify the codes and conventions of film texts; how film-makers communicate with their audiences through an understanding of genre; how the film industry operates and entices different audiences; world cinema; how film censorship has evolved; how UK Cinema has changed and how directors and stars place a signature upon their work. Students will also develop the skills needed to construct their own contemporary, relevant and original film texts.

Component 1: Varieties of Filmmaking 2 hours 30 minutes 35%

Section A: Hollywood 1930-1990 Auteur study (40 marks) The Lady from Shanghai and Blade Runner

Section B: American films since 2005 Spectatorship / Ideology (40 marks) Inception and Captain Fantastic

Section C: British Film since 1995 Ideology/ Narrative (40 marks) Shaun of the Dead and Sightseers

Component 2: Global Film Perspectives 2 hours 30 minutes 35%

Section A: Global Film Context (40 marks) Pan’s Labyrinth and City of God

Section B: Documentary Film Critical debate/ theory (20 marks) Stories we ell

Section C: Film Movements- Silent Cinema Critical debates (20 marks) Strike Eisenstein USSR 1924 / or Buster Keaton shorts

Section D: Film Movements – Experimental film Auteur (20 marks) Vivre sa vie (Godard, France, 1962) / or Fallen Angels

Component 3: Production 30%

Individual production

Either A short film of 4 to 5 minutes

Or, a screenplay of 1600 to 1800 words with a digitally photographed storyboard

Evaluative analysis 1600 to 1800 words making reference to all three short films (set by WJEC) studied.

70% Exam and 30% Coursework

Grade 5-9 in GCSE Engl Lit. (If taken) grade 5-9 GCSE Film or Media

With Further training, you could go into a job related to film studies such as working within a film or TV production crew. You could also go straight into a job as the AS GCE is a recognised qualification.You could take this course to complement other advanced level courses such as Media Studies or to prepare for the A2 part of an Advanced GCE in Film Studies, which could lead onto higher education to study Film Studies, related courses such as Media and Drama, or more general higher education courses.