Course Summary

This fascinating course provides an overview of cinema in a global perspective, with the opportunity to examine diverse examples in detail. Born at the beginning of the 20th century, cinema soon spread to all parts of the globe. It became a means of expression for cultures the world over, but also an industry dominated by a handful of companies, mainly America-based.

This course looks at all aspects of the cinema phenomenon, including aesthetics and economics, the work of film-makers around the world, the global media industries and the interrelations between these aspects. Also, as part of our media arts postgraduate provision, it provides a thorough grounding in the study of the media as a whole, enabling students to get a clearer picture of the place of cinema in the wider context of global media.

Half of the course consists of self-directed independent study with individual supervision, allowing students to pursue their own particular area of interest (subject to suitable supervisory availability).

Professor Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, a former Professor at the University who devised the course, gave it a global perspective. He comments that The cinema conquered the world in a very short time and its parts have always remained interconnected, with Hollywood in a dominant position. Most film studies courses, even at MA level, only look at the parts this one looks at the whole. As such, it puts students in a position to really understand the context in which film and other media operate.

Why choose this course?

This course is ideal for students seeking a job in cinema-related fields or in areas such as programming, marketing or administration. It provides an understanding of film in relation to the global cultural industries, and is also a valuable academic qualification for people teaching film studies at all levels.

During the course you will:

• Experience the first MA course to focus on the relationship between cinema as art and industry in a global context
• Experience a course developed by leading international cinema expert, Professor Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, editor of the Oxford History of World Cinema
• Have access to our multi-million pound Media Arts Centre, which includes ten digital video suites
• Work with experts in film analysis, and benefit from regular seminars, screenings and guest speakers

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Cultural theories
• European cinema
• Film analysis
• Representation and reality
• Post-colonial and 'third' cinema
• World cinema and global media

MAXIN

Assessment

The core units contain both formative and summative assessments, and it is during these units that students should learn the range of competences and knowledges necessary to succeed on the courses. For their project work students can undertake a traditional dissertation, a piece of practical work, a portfolio of diverse practical work, or some combination of these. The courses utilize essays, special exercises, case studies, projects, dissertations and practical work for assessment as appropriate to the topic.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Understand and be able to utilize independently the methods and theories that underpin film analysis.

2. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the key issues in international cinema; and an ability to apply this understanding to autonomous analysis of specific examples.

3. Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of styles and forms of international cinema; and an ability to utilise this knowledge in independent analysis.

4. Understand the historical contexts that have influenced international cinema.

5. Undertake sophisticated original research related to International Cinema and the mass media.

6. Function as an effective autonomous learner, able to develop syntheses of established perspectives.

External Benchmarking

The University's own curriculum descriptors can be found at http://www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/qa/documents/qahsep06-app11a.doc and http://www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/qa/documents/qahsep06-app11b.doc (Masters).

Educational Aims

The underlying rationale behind the degree is that the cinema has to be understood in terms of its global connections- both the horizontal links connecting cinema institutions in different parts of the globe and the vertical links connecting cinema with other art forms, institutions and practices. A sense of how these connections operate is essential to understanding the different elements of the cinema industry.

The pedagogic strategy employed on the course is based on a principle of interrogating the connections. Teaching will be mainly seminar based, with students taking responsibility for exploring different aspects of the curriculum and presenting their findings.

The course is designed to introduce material and approaches which will be new to students whatever their disciplinary background at undergraduate level. It thus fulfils the basic criterion for an MA programme. Although it is based on film studies models, recent development in the field have extended the range of issues which are pertinent to a study of international cinema.

Student support

The Media MA courses are managed by the Field Chair, with administrative support. Each unit has a unit tutor. Students can get general academic advice from the Field Chair and unit specific support from the relevant unit tutor. For the two projects which together constitute 50% of the course, students have their own individual tutor who they will see regularly. Students with specific study or general problems will be referred to Student Services.

Team working

You will develop your abilities to work with others on group tasks and projects, becoming more adept at listening to others, expressing your own views and helping a group to devise plans and strategies.

Career Management Skills

Students will be encouraged to identify their strengths, interests and development needs in relation to the practices and conventions of both the media industry and of scholarship and research.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

The qualification will be of value to anyone seeking employment in the media. The media industry is a rapidly changing field and an understanding of the ways in which the media can be allied is an important transferable skill. The project work on the course provides opportunity to make contacts and develop specialist knowedge of specific areas of the media. Typical areas that Media graduates find work in include broadcasting, journalism, arts administration, photography, theatre, research, marketing sales and advertising, design, writing.

Further study:

Students who graduate from this MA Course will be qualified to apply for MPhil and PhD research degrees.

Entry

Additional:

Applicants should have a first degree in the area of arts, humanities or social science; or significant media industry experience.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Strategy

The Media MA courses share a common structure, having three core units, two projects, and generally 45 credits worth of options. The core units address the central issues of theory, method and representation. The projects, constituting 50% of the degree, allow students opportunity for focused and detailed work on topics of their choice. This enables students to tailor their degree closely to their own individual needs.

Teaching is delivered by a variety of means lectures, seminars, workshops and practical work. Classes take place in different environments according to purpose in viewing rooms, editing suites, computer workshops and classrooms. Many classes take place in our research base, the Centre for International Media Analysis, Research and Consultancy, which also provides a resourced workspace for postgraduate students.

We encourage MA students to attend our graduate research seminars which feature guest speakers.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

The University of Bedfordshire is committed to ensuring that curricula across all courses are inclusive to all students. The Disability Advice Team is available to discuss any issues students may have and can provide services such as sign language interpreters, note takers, dyslexia screening / tuition and support with mobility on campus. They offer confidential advice and information about academic and personal issues, adjustments in examinations, applying for the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) and buying suitable equipment.

All students concerned that their studies may be affected by disability are encouraged to contact either their Field Chair, or Course Leader for advice at whatever point in their course the need to do so becomes apparent.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

• Develop the ability to discuss complex ideas and theories in seminars, tutorials, group discussions, project planning meetings. You will develop the ability to give oral presentations of your work. Students who are diagnosed with needs for extra support with writing and communications skills development may be required to take extra classes provided by the University

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

• Develop your ability conduct a literature review, to search for information, and to write in a clear lucid and well structured manner

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

• Learn how to utilize the resources of the library and the internet, develop your skills of pursuing research leads, and develop your ability to sift, assess, select and evaluate a range of information

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

• In diverse media related situations, develop your independent and imaginative thinking, enhancing your ability to take an enquiring and critical viewpoint on material you encounter

Improving learning and performance

The MA courses are designed to allow students to build on the knowledges and competences developed in the core units, moving on to the independent and self designed learning processes that the projects enable. The individual tutorial contact provided during the Project work means that teaching is focused on individual needs and abilities.

Progress files

Throughout the course you will be provided with written feedback which you are encouraged to retain and file. In the second and third semesters you will be doing Project based work for which you will have regular contact with a supervisor who will advise you on your progress and for which you will keep a research diary recording your working progress.

Professional standards

From the outset we will expect you to adhere to basic professional standards in all your work and in all your dealings with staff and other students. In particular:

• You must punctually attend all scheduled lectures, seminars, workshops. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you attending then you should notify your tutor, preferably in advance


• You must submit all assessed work before the deadline. You should note that the normal vagaries of life would not be acceptable as an excuse for missing a publication/transmission deadline within the industry and so we will apply the same standards. Computer problems and data loss will certainly not be accepted as a valid reason for non or late-submission


• When working on a group project with other students you must play a full part in the group and deal with others professionally. You must provide your colleagues with appropriate contact details and maintain contact with them throughout the project


• When completing academic work you must adhere to the codes and conventions of academic writing with all sources acknowledged and referenced in accordance with the Universitys guidelines. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may constitute plagiarism - an academic offence


• The media is subject to a range of legislation and regulation. Your production work must conform to these limitations and any other legislation that impacts on your work. In your final project you should be undertaking work that challenges conventions and tests boundaries. However, you should do this in consultation with your tutors and supervisor to ensure that you remain within the law. If in doubt, seek advice


• With access to a range of powerful communication techniques, you must always adhere to acceptable ethical principles, values and norms in the representation of people, particularly in terms of sexuality, religion, class, race and gender


• You may borrow production equipment from the Media Hub. The availability of equipment will always be limited and so you must ensure that you return it on time and in good order.

Whilst you have University equipment in your possession you must take care to ensure that it is not lost or stolen and that you operate it in a safe manner and in accordance with training you are given

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Staff will refer to these standards throughout the programme. Some units deal with some aspects of the code explicitly, others will expect you to apply the code to your work. As you progress through the course you will be expected to develop your understanding of professional standards and how they are challenged and evolve in a changing media industry.

Adherence to these professional standards will be part of the formal assessment criteria for many of your assessments. Failure to comply with these standards will impact your grades and, ultimately, may prevent you from graduating. Failure to return equipment may also attract additional sanctions.