History and Film Studies (including Year Abroad)

The BA Honours in History and Film Studies at the University of Essex offers students an exciting opportunity to explore the interconnected worlds of historical events and cinematic expression. This interdisciplinary programme is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how history influences film and how cinema shapes our perception of the past. Throughout the course, students will engage with a wide range of historical periods, from ancient civilizations to modern times, while critically examining the ways in which film has been used as a medium for storytelling, propaganda, and cultural reflection. The programme emphasizes analytical skills, research methodology, and critical thinking, enabling students to evaluate historical sources and film texts with a nuanced perspective.

Students will have the chance to study film theory, history of cinema, documentary production, and visual culture, alongside modules in world history, political history, cultural history, and contemporary issues. The inclusion of a Year Abroad component allows students to enhance their language skills, immerse themselves in different cultural contexts, and gain an international perspective on historical and cinematic narratives. This global outlook prepares graduates for careers in media, journalism, education, archival work, cultural policy, and further academic research.

The course also encourages practical engagement through film analysis, production projects, and excursions to cinemas, museums, and historical sites. Small class sizes with close interaction with academic staff foster a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to develop their independent research skills and contribute to discussions. With a flexible structure, the programme allows students to tailor their studies according to their interests, combining thematic modules in history and film studies to create a personalized academic journey. Upon graduation, students will have developed a critical understanding of how historical knowledge and cinematic techniques intersect, preparing them for a diverse range of roles in media, education, culture, and beyond.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available. We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Introduction to Film;
The Making of the Modern World 1776-1989 or Society, Culture and Politics in Europe 1500-1750;
The Enlightenment; and
One option

Year 2

Making Histories: Themes, Concepts and Sources;
Approaches to Texts;
One history option;
One film studies option; and
one history half-option

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

Two history options; and
Two film options.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above).
• We welcome applications from students whose A-levels do not include History.

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

History and Film Studies at the University of Essex offers an interdisciplinary approach that combines the study of historical contexts with critical analysis of film as a cultural and artistic medium. This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the development of societies through historical periods while exploring the evolution of cinema, its impact on culture, and its role in reflecting and shaping social issues. The course curriculum includes modules on world history, historiography, film theory, film history, and contemporary media analysis. The Year Abroad component allows students to immerse themselves in a different cultural environment, enhancing language skills and intercultural competence, which are vital for understanding global perspectives in both history and film. The program encourages critical thinking, analytical skills, and research techniques, preparing students for careers in academia, media, journalism, public history, or further postgraduate study. State-of-the-art facilities, access to extensive archives, and collaboration with industry professionals enrich the learning experience. The University of Essex's diverse student body and international partnerships foster a global outlook, making graduates well-equipped to work in international contexts. The program's flexible structure enables students to tailor their degree with optional modules, enabling specialization in areas such as film production, digital media, or specific historical periods. Regular guest lectures, film screenings, and practical workshops complement theoretical studies, providing a balanced education. Graduates of the History and Film Studies program have moved on to roles in education, media production, digital content creation, public relations, and cultural management. The program emphasizes the development of transferable skills such as communication, critical analysis, and cultural literacy, vital for a broad range of career paths. Expanding knowledge of historical processes alongside film analysis offers a unique perspective on how societies communicate their narratives and values over time. Overall, the program aims to produce well-rounded, culturally literate graduates capable of engaging critically with the world around them.