Film and Television Studies with Chinese Studies BA

Course overview

This course interrogates cinema and television as art forms and as industries, locating them within specific historical and social contexts, and is combined with a systematic study of China. The course explores screen media texts within social, cultural and transnational contexts, in particular those of China and the Chinese diaspora. Chinese Studies devotes attention to the history, politics, society, geography and culture of China, and students on the course also begin learning Mandarin. One semester may be spent at The University of Nottingham Ningbo Campus, China.

Year one

Students learn the skills necessary to acquire a broad understanding of film and television as distinct media and consider the history of the development of the cinema from the late nineteenth century to the present day. Chinese studies, introduces students to various facets of modern-day China, and students start to learn the Mandarin language.

Year two

By further looking at the social significance of the cultural industries and by considering processes of cultural production and representation, students gain a nuanced perspective on the circuits of meaning thus produced. Semester two may be spent at the Ningbo campus, China, where students extend their knowledge of contemporary China, and, if desired, continue studies of the Mandarin language.

Year three

Under the guidance of a research-active member of staff, students write a dissertation in film and television studies and choose from a range of specialist option modules in film and television studies. Students may also choose to write a dissertation in Chinese studies, as well as selecting from a range of advanced modules in Chinese studies.

For more information please see School of Contemporary Chinese

Entry requirements

A levels: ABB/AAC

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

TOEFL iBT 100 (no less than 20 in speaking and 19 in each other element)

Alternative qualifications 

For details please see alternative qualifications page.

Flexible admissions policy

We may make some applicants an offer lower than advertised, depending on their personal and educational circumstances.

Modules

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.

Typical year-one modules

• Film History 1
• Approaches to Film and Television
• Introduction to Contemporary China
• Film History 2
• Television Cultures

Typical year-two modules

• Transnational Film and Television
• Understanding Cultural Industries

Typical year-three modules

• Film Studies Dissertation 

Typical optional modules

• Chinese Business Law
• Film and Television in Social and Cultural Context
• The Rise of Modern China
• Inter Faculty Mandarin Chinese 
• Media and Communications in Globalising China
• Filmmakers and Filmmaking
• Representing Reality
• Mao's China
• China's Political Economy
• Video Production Project
   

Careers

You will have completed an independent research dissertation and will have an in-depth knowledge of specific areas of film and television studies. You will have developed your language skills to enable you to converse in Mandarin, and, if you have studied in China, you will be able to demonstrate to potential employers your adaptability, resourcefulness, independence and ability to cope in challenging situations.

Average starting salary 

The average starting salary for 2010/11 full-time graduates of the Department of Culture, Film and Media was £17,305. Graduates of the Department of Contemporary Chinese Studies was £25,833.*

*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2010/11.

Careers Support and Advice

Studying for a degree at The University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take. Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our Careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.  

KIS