Film Studies A Level

Sixth Form Open Evening- Wednesday 5th November 5-7pm

Applications Open - Now!

Applications Close - End of Term 4 2026. Please contact Mrs Silvester if you would like to apply after this date (lucy.silvester@swale.at)

Entry Requirements: - Generally 5 grade 5s or above in GCSE, including English and Maths but some subjects do vary.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Film is one of the main cultural innovations of the 20th century and a major art form of the last hundred years. This academic A Level will teach you the importance of film as a medium that both reflects and shapes the societies we live in. At the root of Film Studies is a recognition that films are constructed using a range of elements – cinematography, mise-en-scène, sound, editing and performance – which are organised structurally in terms of narrative and often genre. You will learn how and why films are produced and you will explore a wide range of emotional and reflective spectators’ responses.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and understanding of the filmmaking process to a creative production task of your own.

You will study a range of films from a broad historical and global perspective . Exploration of modern successes such as Inception and LaLa Land will be contrasted with analysis of the Golden Era of Casablanca and Hitchcock’s Vertigo.

You will also learn about different types of films including documentaries, silent cinema and independent film. In all, there are 12 focus films that you will be expected to write about in the exams; exploring Pulp Fiction as part of an experimental film movement will be the pinnacle of a fascinating two-year course.

This course is assessed through 70% examination. There are two equally weighted examination papers at the end of the second year. The Non-Examined Assessment is a production task and requires you to make a short film. This is marked by the teacher and is worth 30% of the final grade.

In addition to the general requirements for access onto A Level courses, an English Literature GCSE at grade 5 is desirable.

Film Studies will support a range of degree courses including English, Media and History. You could also progress onto apprenticeships and opportunities in the film industry ranging from editing to sound engineering and screenplay writing.