Skip to Main Content

Film Studies

The WJEC Eduqas specification is designed to introduce A level learners to a wide variety of films in order to broaden their knowledge and understanding of film and the range of responses films can generate.

This specification therefore offers opportunities to study mainstream and independent American and British films from the past and the present as well as more recent global films, both non-English language and English language.

Qualifications & Assessments

Exam Board EDUQAS
Level Level 3
Qualification A Level
Assessment Method Exam (70%), coursework(30%)
Entry Requirements Entry Requirements
Photograph of a student looking through a camera.

Component 1 – American and British Film.
Includes study of Classical Hollywood, Hollywood since the 60’s, Contemporary American Independent Film and British Cinema.

Component 2 – Varieties of Film.
The study of a specific film movement, Documentary Film, Short Film and Global cinema.

Component 3 – Production.
The production of an individual short film of 5 minutes duration; an opportunity to use the theory studied in class in a creative, practical way using the college’s film making and editing equipment. This process is carefully monitored and guided by the Subject Teachers and our Media technicians. The coursework also includes an evaluative analysis of 1800 words reflecting on the creative process.

A qualification in Film Studies can be a valuable asset in gaining experience in a job market which continues to expand. The British Film Industry remains one of our most profitable sectors and the continuing development of the B.B.C and the general boom in production companies in both Manchester and the North West provides a huge opportunity for young motivated film makers and creatives.

The Film Studies course embeds high level practical skills with complex, academic theory to offer a holistic Film based learning experience. The high number of Aquinas Film students who progress into industry and degree level Film study are evidence of the opportunities opened up by this course of study.

There is a departmental trip to New York in second year. For more information about this trip please see the Trips and Travel page

Visit to ‘Home’ for screening and study day. Central Library research day. Film screening visits linked to course.

Related Courses

Skip Courses

Creative Media Practice

The Creative Media Practice qualification equips students with professional skills to work in the media and creative industries. The course is 100% practical and all work is assessed internally by[...]

Photograph of students producing a mock live TV programme in the studio.

English Literature

If you enjoy reading and discussing literature, you will enjoy this course. You will gain a detailed understanding of a broad range of poetry, prose and drama, while developing different[...]

Photograph of a book

Media Studies

Students who take A Level Media Studies find that they are challenged in different ways to other subjects. We study areas of representation including gender, sexuality, age and ethnicity in[...]

Photograph of a media student holding a handheld rig
News & Blog

Latest From Aquinas

Students, staff and guests came together on Friday 22nd May for the annual Duke of Edinburgh Garden Party, celebrating the achievements of Aquinas students involved in the award programme.

Photograph of a group of students stook outside an old building

Our Music Technology students recently visited Spirit Studios for a hands-on Drum Recording Workshop, gaining valuable experience in a professional studio environment. Students explored the process of recording live drums, learning about drum tuning and setup, patching signals for recording, and operating professional mixing equipment. A fantastic opportunity to develop technical skills, work with industry-standard […]

Cropped photograph of a recording studio

Our Environmental Science students recently visited Chester Zoo for a fantastic day of learning beyond the classroom. Students took part in an engaging educational talk, enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour, and had the opportunity to see a wide variety of species up close, including some of the zoo’s iconic giraffes. The trip provided valuable insight into […]

Students at Chester Zoo

Students taking part in the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award recently completed their Practice Expedition in the stunning Lake District, following on from their training walk earlier this year in January. The expedition challenged students to navigate independently, carry full expedition equipment, camp overnight and work together as a team across demanding routes and changing […]

Students in the Lake District with hiking equipment