A-Level Programme - Film Studies

What will I study?

In Year 1:

*1: American Film - Hollywood 1930 - 1990 Three feature length films will be studied for this component.

*2: European Film You will study a British film and a Non-English language European film.

*3: Production This is a non-exam assessment of a screenplay production.

Production work is a crucial part of this specification and is integral to your study of film.

In Year 2:

*1: Varieties of Film and Film making Six feature length films will be studied for this component - Classic Hollywood, American and British films will be studied and compared.

*2: Global film making perspectives Five feature length films will be studied for this component - Global film, Documentary film and film movements will be studied and compared.

*3: Creative Production You will be required to create an individual production of either a short film or a screenplay for a short film.

Throughout the two years, you'll cover:

• Cinematography and lighting, editing and sound
• Film making and screen writing
• Critical approaches to narrative, ideology and theories of film
• The significance, meaning and response of film

This specification is intended to enable you to create high quality film and screenplay work as well as provide an informed filmmaker's perspective on your own study of film.

You will need:

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and maths and, for this specific subject;

• A GCSE at grade 5 or above in a creative subject
• GCSE English language grade 5 or above

How long is this course?

2 years

When does this course start?

02/09/2026

How many hours / days per week is this course?

Full-time courses at CWA are generally 3 - 4 days per week (though you may be in for an extra day if you are resitting English and / or Maths). The college day is typically longer than a day at school and students will need to plan their individual study in their free time (including individual study hours which are recorded at college in the Learning Resource Centre or other study areas). Work experience will be a key component of your course and most students will complete a minimum of 60 hours per academic year (on top of their college hours), depending on the course they are studying. CWA has a dedicated team of work placement co-ordinators to support you with this.

* Some of our courses may have additional costs to cover trips, unform and equipment. These costs will be confirmed to you at enrolment.

Fee information

Though this course is free for those aged 16-18, there may be additional costs related to the programme, such as additional equipment and uniform, educational trips and work placement costs. Full details will be sent to applicants before enrolment.

Find all the information you need about course fees and financial help below.

Information on Fees and Financial Help

What qualification will I achieve?

WJEC A-Level Film Studies

How is my course assessed?

Assessment in Year 1: Component 1: American Film - Written exam (35% of qualification) Component 2: European Film - Written exam (35% of qualification) Component 3: A non-exam assessment (30% of qualification)

Assessment in Year 2: Component 1: Varieties of film and film making - Written exam (35% of qualification) Component 2: Global film making perspectives - Written exam (35% of qualification) Component 3: Production - A non exam assessment (30% of qualification)