Why do films affect us the way they do? Why did the introduction of sound change film forever? What do we mean by ‘independent cinema? What is a digital story world? These and many more are the questions that Film Studies asks students to consider in small-group lectures and seminars.

In addition, over the course of your degree you’ll be encouraged to respond creatively to critical issues via projects, presentations, short films and video essays, as well as to develop your screenwriting skills to see if you have a fresh vision to share with the world around you.

Film & Broadcasting is about telling stories - whether fiction or factual. This course combines high standards of training in production skills to make courses, dramas and documentaries for radio, television and cinema with a well-grounded academic education in media theory and contextual studies. 

Graduates will gain the skills and competence to work in film production crew roles or single-camera crew roles in a managed environment in various film production contexts.

The Level 6 course in Film is designed to give students the opportunity to express themselves through the medium of film. The programme combines an emphasis on the art of filmmaking and the visual representation of story with the development of technical, organisational and production skills.

It consists of five main areas: practical camera and lighting, theory and analysis, art direction, production management and postproduction processes. There is an emphasis on visual language and cinematography. Students will be encouraged to examine the variety of styles of filmmaking, both contemporary and historical.

Applicants to the Film: Pathfinder Joint International Programme for intake 2026 will apply separately through the CAO for your preferred starting country, using the course codes below.

This programme will prepare students for the challenges of our society and of our evolving technologies in the future of work while developing the work-ready skills. Film courses are designed to appeal to students that want to gain critical exposure to creative media and film practices, as well as gain work experience and applied learning for a future career in the creative media sector.

The BA (Hons) in Film and Creative Media (Level 8, 180 ECTS) programme provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills in conventional and new media, by combining traditional communication and media production skills such as photography and video production, with high-level training in multimedia production, processes and design.

The programme provides a focus on professional practices and applications required for the creative industries. Students will engage with professionals, clients, artists and employers through Creative Engagement / Internship module in the final stage.

A three-year Level 8 honours degree for those interested in developing a career in film, documentary, television and the audiovisual sector. This programme is designed to provide a specialised knowledge of the history, theory and practical working of documentary and film making. Embedded in the programme is the opportunity for ethical and philosophical discourse with regard to representation, media and new technologies.

The practical and technical skills options include such specialist areas as screenwriting, editing, sound, production design, cinematography, VFX (visual effects) and knowledge of the planning, budgeting and management requirements involved in shooting and delivering film and documentary projects. 

This programme is designed to cater to emerging opportunities across the film and media sector in digital film production planning, story and script, audio, design, special effects, compositing and editing. An enterprise and entrepreneurship ethos is embedded in modules. This programme engages traditional and emerging practices to cater for the needs of the film and media industry. Self-directed practice will be a key component across several modules focusing on audience and market.

Studying film and media production provides hands-on experience in storytelling, cinematography & digital editing, preparing students for diverse careers in the entertainment industry.

University College Cork's BA in Film & Screen Media is a unique, major degree that offers students a thorough film studies education on the history, theory, values, aesthetics and ideology of the moving image.

This course encompasses everything from pre-production planning and scriptwriting to filming, editing, and postproduction. Students will learn to harness creativity, innovation, and collaboration, and the practical aspects of mounting a production, such as budgeting, location scouting, casting, production design, filming, and post-production. 

This course is designed to provide learners with an introduction to key skills required to work in the Film and TV sector and many other industries, where digital images/video can be used for promotional purposes.  Students will develop an understanding of scripting, storyboarding, capturing and editing video and post production using industry standard software and receive training in the use of the Adobe Creative Suite of software.  Students will also have the opportunity to use industry standard cameras, accessories, sound and lighting equipment.

The Film & TV Production course is an exciting introduction to the production world of the Film & TV industry. A hands-on practical course, you will learn about many aspects of this industry, through practical projects that involve film production, shooting and editing film, scriptwriting, sound production, lighting and project management.

The college partners with VISUAL Carlow to engage you with professionals working in the industry, and to help you prepare work for public viewing. You will be able to build a portfolio of your own work to help support applications for further study and your career. This course can help you progress on to a wide range of Higher Education study options, with a really strong knowledge and skills base that will set up for success.

The Film Editing and Special Effects course will introduce you to the world of digital media creation with a strong focus on film editing and visual effects. This course is an ideal stepping-stone to courses in postproduction of Film and TV.

You can explore the creative potential of software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After-Effects, InDesign and Illustrator, and you will even get a license for your own home use of this software.

This course will equip you with practical skills in the creative design, production and editing of media. Not only will you achieve QQI certification, you can also gain Adobe Creative Associate awards to bolster your CV. Film Editing and Special Effects integrates TV and Film editing, Visual Effects, Sound Engineering and Design with the industry knowledge you need to take the next steps in your career.

Film Production offers a thorough study of film through both practical and academic avenues. Students will study key practical areas such as scriptwriting, directing, producing, sound, lighting and editing all of which will culminate in the creation of their own films. These areas are complemented by the study of film history, film theory and film industries.

This Film Studies degree is for people who want to think critically about film and write it – combining academic depth with practical creativity and opening a pathway to professional screenwriting.