English, History, and Film at uni

I'm really struggling to choose what degree I want to do, and my internal deadline is mid-November, so I seriously need to sort my life out and make a decision. I love all of my subjects lol

I'm probably going to apply for a joint honours, so English and History or English and Film Studies

I would really appreciate any thoughts from people who are studying any of these subjects (single or joint honours) on how you've found the course, any major positives and negatives that I may not be aware of, any recommendations on specific unis for these subjects, or anything else.

Thank you so much!

Reply 1

AllThingsCCCU

Official Rep

Original post

by YourLocalNerd

I'm really struggling to choose what degree I want to do, and my internal deadline is mid-November, so I seriously need to sort my life out and make a decision. I love all of my subjects lol
I'm probably going to apply for a joint honours, so English and History or English and Film Studies
I would really appreciate any thoughts from people who are studying any of these subjects (single or joint honours) on how you've found the course, any major positives and negatives that I may not be aware of, any recommendations on specific unis for these subjects, or anything else.
Thank you so much!

It’s completely normal to feel unsure when choosing a degree, especially when you enjoy several subjects! At Canterbury Christ Church University, we offer both English and History and English and Film Studies as joint honours, so you don’t have to choose just one.
Both combinations give you great flexibility, allowing you to explore your interests across two subjects while developing strong analytical, writing, and research skills. Students often tell us they enjoy the variety and how the subjects complement each other.
You can read more about each course on our website, or even visit us on an Open Day to chat with current students and lecturers. It might help you see which course feels like the best fit- Visit us - Canterbury Christ Church University

Reply 2

McGinger

Look at degree programs where you can study a range of Humanities and Social Science subjects :
Liberal Arts | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
Combined Honours, BA (Hons) - Swansea University
Combined Honours BA | Undergraduate | Newcastle University
Flexible BA Degree | University of Strathclyde
There are lots of these programs at different Unis, with all sorts of titles, so you may need to do some digging to find exactly what you want. If there is any sort of work placement or study abroad included, this is a major plus for your graduate CV.

Reply 3

YourLocalNerd

Original post

by McGinger

Thank you for your reply. I had looked at Strathclyde, but I didn't know non-Scottish unis offered anything similar. I'll look into it! Have a nice day :smile:

Reply 4

LSBU

Official Rep

Original post

by YourLocalNerd

I'm really struggling to choose what degree I want to do, and my internal deadline is mid-November, so I seriously need to sort my life out and make a decision. I love all of my subjects lol
I'm probably going to apply for a joint honours, so English and History or English and Film Studies
I would really appreciate any thoughts from people who are studying any of these subjects (single or joint honours) on how you've found the course, any major positives and negatives that I may not be aware of, any recommendations on specific unis for these subjects, or anything else.
Thank you so much!

Hey there,

If you’re drawn to storytelling, creativity, and working behind the camera, the BA (Hons) Film Practice course at LSBU could be a brilliant fit. It’s a hands-on degree that focuses on every stage of filmmaking, from idea development and scriptwriting to directing, editing, and post-production. You’ll get the chance to work with professional equipment in our film studios, learn from lecturers with industry experience, and collaborate on short films and creative projects throughout your studies.

The course is structured to help you build both creative and technical skills. Modules cover areas like cinematography, sound design, documentary production, and film theory. You’ll also learn how to manage productions and develop your own portfolio, which is essential for entering the film and media industries.

Studying film at LSBU means being right in central London surrounded by theatres, production houses, and cultural landmarks. That gives students amazing access to networking, festivals, and placement opportunities. It’s a friendly and supportive course where collaboration is key, and you’re encouraged to experiment and find your voice as a filmmaker.

You can also chat with our current students on Unibuddy if you’d like to ask about their experiences or what studying at LSBU is really like https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat

I’d really encourage you to join us at our Open Day https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days on the 15th November as you’ll be able to chat with our lecturers, current students, and admissions team to get a real feel for the course and career path.

LSBU Admissions Ambassador

Reply 5

Kingston Grace

Official Rep

Original post

by YourLocalNerd

I'm really struggling to choose what degree I want to do, and my internal deadline is mid-November, so I seriously need to sort my life out and make a decision. I love all of my subjects lol
I'm probably going to apply for a joint honours, so English and History or English and Film Studies
I would really appreciate any thoughts from people who are studying any of these subjects (single or joint honours) on how you've found the course, any major positives and negatives that I may not be aware of, any recommendations on specific unis for these subjects, or anything else.
Thank you so much!

Hi @YourLocalNerd

Great advice already!

Personally going to open days and course talks really helped me make a decision, as your deadline is approaching you could always attend offer holder days which will help you make a decision in a similar way.

I will also add a link to a previous post I have done which you may find useful Tips on Making a University Choice - The Student Room

Any questions feel free to ask :smile:

-Grace (Kingston Rep)

Reply 6

LSBU

Official Rep

Original post

by YourLocalNerd

I'm really struggling to choose what degree I want to do, and my internal deadline is mid-November, so I seriously need to sort my life out and make a decision. I love all of my subjects lol
I'm probably going to apply for a joint honours, so English and History or English and Film Studies
I would really appreciate any thoughts from people who are studying any of these subjects (single or joint honours) on how you've found the course, any major positives and negatives that I may not be aware of, any recommendations on specific unis for these subjects, or anything else.
Thank you so much!

Hey there, It’s completely understandable to feel the pressure when you love all your subjects. It’s actually a great position to be in because it means whatever you choose, you’ll be studying something you genuinely enjoy.

Film at LSBU is a brilliant choice if you’re passionate about storytelling, creativity, and the power of visual media. The course is designed to give you a strong mix of theory and practice, so you’ll not only learn how to analyse film but also how to create it. You’ll explore areas like directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing, as well as studying film history, genres, and global cinema.

What really makes the course stand out is how hands-on it is. You’ll have access to professional-standard studios, cameras, and editing suites, so you can develop your technical skills and produce your own work right from the start. There are also opportunities to collaborate on projects, take part in film festivals, and connect with industry professionals through guest lectures and placements. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a strong creative portfolio and the confidence to move into roles in film, TV, media, or production.

You can chat with our current students on Unibuddy if you’d like to ask about their experiences or what studying at LSBU is really like https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat

I’d really encourage you to join us at our Open Day https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days on the 15th November as you’ll be able to chat with our lecturers, current students, and admissions team to get a real feel for the course and career path.

LSBU Admissions Ambassador

Reply 7

ARUStudents

Official Rep

Original post

by YourLocalNerd

I'm really struggling to choose what degree I want to do, and my internal deadline is mid-November, so I seriously need to sort my life out and make a decision. I love all of my subjects lol
I'm probably going to apply for a joint honours, so English and History or English and Film Studies
I would really appreciate any thoughts from people who are studying any of these subjects (single or joint honours) on how you've found the course, any major positives and negatives that I may not be aware of, any recommendations on specific unis for these subjects, or anything else.
Thank you so much!

Hello!

I'm Joe and I'm a second year Film Studies student at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

I've been loving my degree so far. What's interesting with my course is that it is a mix of both practical filmmaking, as well as theoretical discussion. As someone who is interested in both making and discussing films, this course has been perfect!

In my first year we covered quite a wide area, such as the history of global cinema, as well as the different concepts and techniques filmmakers adopt to convey their messages. These modules were really useful in providing a baseline level of knowledge in the study of film, allowing me to go into more specific fields in my second year.

Currently I'm in the first term of my second year, where I'm doing a module on the 'Classical Hollywood' era. As well as this I'm doing optional modules in 'Documentary Film Theory' and '16mm Filmmaking'. Next term, I'll be doing the 'Theorising Spectatorship' and 'Filmmakers on Film' modules, as well as the practical modules 'Non-Fiction Filmmaking' and 'Script to Screen'.

Despite being heavily theory-based, the Film BA course at ARU also has multiple pratical filmmaking modules. In the first year we do a module called 'Creative Moving Image', where we take the theoretical concepts we have studied and apply them to a practical brief.
I also did the 8mm Filmmaking module, where we were given complete creative freedom, working in small teams to create a 2-3 minute film on a Super8 camera.
I also took the 'Introduction to Screenwriting' module, which introduced the basics of screenwriting and tasked us to write a 5-10 minute screenplay.

As you can gather, the course is really quite broad! After the first year, the core modules become heavily theory and writing based. However, there are plenty of optional modules that focus on practical filmmaking. If you are more interested in the practical side of filmmaking, then I'd heavily recommend the Film & TV Production course at ARU. The modules on this course go much more into detail on the pratical side of filmmaking, with the option to specialise in a specific field, such as Directing, Cinematography, or Screenwriting.

I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions specific to studying Film at ARU, I'd be happy to help!

Joe :smile: