Film Studies and Politics
SOAS University of London
UCAS Code: PL32 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
SOAS University of London
UCAS Code: PL32 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Contextual offer: ABB-BBB A level General Studies is not acceptable.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to Higher Education Diploma with 60 credits overall including at least 45 credits at level 3. A minimum of 30 Level 3 credits must be at Distinction plus a minimum of 15 level 3 credits at either Merit or Distinction.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34 overall with 6,6,5 in HL subjects
Scottish Higher
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
The BA Film Studies and Politics combined degree at SOAS University of London offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary education that explores the intricate relationship between cinema and political discourse. This unique programme enables students to critically engage with the historical, cultural, and artistic dimensions of film while examining the foundational principles, theories, and practices of political systems and movements.
In the BA Film Studies component, students investigate the diverse histories, theories, and practices of cinema, focusing on how film serves as a medium for storytelling and social critique. The curriculum encourages critical analysis of films from various genres and cultural contexts, exploring how they reflect and shape political ideologies, social values, and cultural identities. Students engage with a broad spectrum of cinematic works, from classic films to contemporary cinema, gaining insights into the ways film can influence public perception and provoke political thought. With the support of SOAS’s esteemed faculty and industry connections, students benefit from guest lectures by filmmakers and political scholars, as well as practical training in film analysis and curation. The programme’s central location in Bloomsbury, near prominent cultural institutions like the British Film Institute, enriches the student experience with access to regular screenings, discussions, and networking opportunities.
The BA Politics component provides students with a comprehensive understanding of political systems, theories, and contemporary issues. The curriculum covers essential topics such as international relations, political theory, governance, and social movements, enabling students to critically analyse the complexities of political behaviour and institutional structures. Through the study of political ideologies, case studies, and empirical research, students develop a nuanced understanding of the factors that shape political processes and policies. This knowledge enriches their ability to interpret and engage with cinematic narratives that address political themes and social justice issues.
Together, the BA Film Studies and Politics programme equips graduates with a unique blend of critical analytical skills, political awareness, and cultural literacy. This interdisciplinary approach prepares students for diverse career opportunities in film, media, public policy, international relations, and advocacy, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to discussions about the interplay between cinema and politics in shaping societal narratives and public discourse.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
SOAS University of London
Interdepartmental
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Politics
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Politics
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
The numbers of people taking politics degrees fell sharply last year and we'll keep an eye on this one - it can't really be because of graduates getting poor outcomes as politics grads do about as well as graduates on average. Most politics or international relations graduates don't actually go into politics - although many do, as activists, fundraisers and researchers. Jobs in local and central government are also important. Other popular jobs include marketing and PR, youth and community work, finance roles, HR and academic research (you usually need a postgraduate degree to get into research). Because so many graduates get jobs in the civil service, a lot of graduates find themselves in London after graduating. Politics is a very popular postgraduate subject, and so about one in five politics graduates go on to take another course - usually a one-year Masters - after they finish their degrees.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Politics
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£23k
£28k
£32k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Higher entry requirements
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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