Film Production or Film Studies/Language Degree?

Hi, I'm a first year A-Level student. (Film studies, art and design, English language.)

I've got some time before I have to decide but I want to get ahead of it and I'm very torn between two degrees I'm considering. I'd love to be a filmmaker some day so I'd very much like to study film production however I'm also really interested in studying a language and I've seen some uni's offer Film studies alongside modern languages (I'm specifically interested in Mandarin Chinese.)

The film and language degree (I'm looking at Exeter Uni for this) sounds really fun, but would it be more worthwile to just study Mandarin alongside doing a film production degree at a different university? I feel like out of film studies and film production, as much as I'm loving the a-level I'd probably get more out of a production degree though I also would love to do the film/language degree with the year abroad (I've also visited Exeter/the university before for an open day and I really liked it there)

Anyway, I'm sure countless people have been through a similar thing of being torn between two options they just can't decide on, so has anyone got any advice on how they managed to choose? Again, I know I have some time but right now it just feels like no matter what I end up picking it'll be the wrong option.

Reply 1

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Get booked into some open days for universities with CILECT film schools (AUB, Westminster and Falmouth would probably be the closest if you are close-ish to Exeter).

Similarly book onto open days for film studies courses. I know Southampton’s film course grew out of its modern languages department so that might be a good one to look into.

You have time so make the most of it to compare the details and opportunities available to you.

Most universities will be happy to let you take a year abroad - they don’t have to be a formal part of the course, you can just take a year to go travelling/working abroad or arrange a study placement.

Reply 2

username7631341

Thank you for the recommendation of Southampton, I hadn't looked into many other Film/language or film with studies abroad and its good to have more to look at other than Exeter. Still unsure if I wanna do film studies or a more practical-based film degree but it's definitely good for me to have more options to be considering when deciding

Anyway, thanks again 🙂 I'll definitely look into the ones you suggested, AUB sounds nice too, Bournemouth looks like a lovely area to live in too

Reply 3

ARUStudents

Official Rep

Original post

by polychr

Hi, I'm a first year A-Level student. (Film studies, art and design, English language.)
I've got some time before I have to decide but I want to get ahead of it and I'm very torn between two degrees I'm considering. I'd love to be a filmmaker some day so I'd very much like to study film production however I'm also really interested in studying a language and I've seen some uni's offer Film studies alongside modern languages (I'm specifically interested in Mandarin Chinese.)
The film and language degree (I'm looking at Exeter Uni for this) sounds really fun, but would it be more worthwile to just study Mandarin alongside doing a film production degree at a different university? I feel like out of film studies and film production, as much as I'm loving the a-level I'd probably get more out of a production degree though I also would love to do the film/language degree with the year abroad (I've also visited Exeter/the university before for an open day and I really liked it there)
Anyway, I'm sure countless people have been through a similar thing of being torn between two options they just can't decide on, so has anyone got any advice on how they managed to choose? Again, I know I have some time but right now it just feels like no matter what I end up picking it'll be the wrong option.

Hey! Just wanted to say that if you’re thinking about studying Film, I’d really recommend looking into ARU. I’ve had such a great experience studying Film and TV Production here. The course is super practical, with loads of opportunities to get hands-on with equipment and work on real projects. The tutors are really supportive and know the industry well, so you’re learning from people who’ve actually worked in the field. Also, a nice bonus is that you can take extra language lessons alongside your degree, which is something you mentioned you'd like to do. They are based in Cambridge which has lots opportunities with the film festivals. Here is a link if you'd like to check it out: Film Studies at ARU.
Hope that helps & Good luck !! :smile: