UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Annex 2
UKC Programme Specifications Template
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of
the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be
expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she passes the programme. More detailed
information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment
methods of each module can be found [either by following the links provided or in
the programme handbook]. The accuracy of the information contained in this
specification is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality
Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Degree and Programme Title
MA in Film
School of the Arts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Awarding Institution/Body
Teaching Institution
Teaching Site
Programme accredited by:
Final Award
Programme
UCAS Code (or other code)
Relevant QAA subject
benchmarking group(s)
University of Kent
University of Kent at Canterbury
Canterbury
n/a
MA (with a PDip fallback)
Film
Communication, Media, Film and
Cultural Studies (BA benchmark used for
guidance and enhanced for masters level)
9. Date of production/revision
10. Applicable cohort(s)
11. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
1. To develop the understanding and skills possessed by students entering the
programme (generally those with a good 2.1 degree in a humanities subject) to a
notably higher level of sophistication and achievement (appropriate to an Mlevel award) than would be expected at degree level, such that all leave the
programme with a substantial analytic and critical understanding of film and
film studies;
2. For students aiming to pursue a subsequent research degree in Film Studies, to
develop their understanding and skills to the level necessary for entry into a
research programme in Film Studies;
Minor Revision to Programme Specification confirmed by PASC May
2012
3. In line with 1 and 2, to develop the ability of students to think independently,
argue with clarity and force, to discern areas of research interest within the field
and be able to frame viable research questions;
4. To provoke reflection on areas of critical and theoretical approaches to cinema
and its context;
5. To nurture the intellectual skills cited in 3 in the context of written work (essays
and dissertations) as well as in the context of interpersonal interaction (seminars,
research papers, supervision);
6. To attract outstanding students irrespective of race, background, gender, and
physical disability, from both within the UK and from overseas;
7. To develop existing and new areas of teaching in response to the advance of
research and scholarship within the subject as well as new developments in
filmmaking practice.
12. Programme Outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate
knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following
areas. The programme outcomes have references to the subject benchmarking
statement for Communication, media, film and cultural studies. (SB)
Knowledge and Understanding
A. Knowledge and Understanding of:
1. The techniques which comprise film
and related, moving audio-visual
media, and the ways in which they are
used to create meaning and
experience; (SB 4.3)
Teaching/learning and assessment
methods and strategies used to enable
outcomes to be achieved and
demonstrated
Lectures delineate and communicate core
knowledge, outline key aspects of topics,
place issues in relation to film(s) screened
through exemplary sequence viewing,
and focus concerns for seminar
discussion.
Seminars are student and tutor-led,
focussing on the articulation of issues as
well as exploring students' engagement
with and understanding of these issues.
Seminars enable students to develop their
skills of analysis and critical reflection
through group debate and presentations.
Assessment is by a combination of
essays, classroom presentations and
15,000 word dissertation
Minor Revision to Programme Specification confirmed by PASC May
2012
2. Concepts and practices integral to the
production and reception of films,
including authorship, genre, industry,
stardom, style, modernity, national
and transnational cinemas; (SB 4.1,
4.3, 4.5)
Presentations, essays and dissertation
writing involve student-directed learning
and research. Essays engage students in
synthesising their understanding across
their reading, film-viewing and seminar
participation, to produce structured and
persuasive discussion showing clear
command of the technical language of
film and television studies, and effective
use of visual and written textual examples
in support of their analysis and
arguments. Presentations cover the same
teaching and learning principles as essays
while also encouraging students to
develop their oral skills.
3. Conceptualizations of our
engagement with film, including the
cultural, aesthetic, industrial and
economic contexts in which viewing
and exhibition occurs; (SB4.1)
The dissertation encourages the student to
engage in the development of a sustained
argument, depth of research and
independent thought and enquiry.
4. Critical approaches to film, including
an understanding of the historical and
contemporary debates within film
theory; (SB 4.2, 4.4)
5. Knowledge and understanding of film
histories and historiography,
particularly as it informs the concepts
and practices cited in 2; (SB 4.2)
Skills and Other Attributes
B. Intellectual Skills:
6. The ability to construct arguments
and produce evidence appropriate for
research at M-level; (SB 5.2, 5.3)
7. The ability to reflect critically on
debates within the conceptual
practices of the discipline; (SB
5.2,5.6)
8. The ability to design and implement
research projects informed by
interdisciplinary approaches in the
humanities; (SB 5.3
Minor Revision to Programme Specification confirmed by PASC May
2012
C. Subject-specific Skills:
9. The ability to articulate, in written
and oral contexts, an understanding of
film commensurate with 1-4 above.
(SB 5.2)
10. The ability to analyse narrative and
other forms and structures shaping
films; (SB 5.2)
11. The ability to draw on
interdisciplinary intellectual
knowledge, methods and techniques
drawn from other disciplines (such as
psychoanalysis, philosophy, and
literary theory) in the study of film;
(SB 5.3)
12. Mastery of the vocabularies
developed to enhance the analysis and
understanding of film and related
media; (SB 5.2)
13. The ability to analyse with precision
the images and sounds which
comprise films; (SB 5.2)
D. Transferable Skills:
14. The ability to communicate
effectively in both oral and written
contexts, at a level appropriate for the
conduct of original research; (SB6.1)
15. The ability to create, manage and selfdirect essays and research projects,
with the advice and supervision of
teaching staff; (SB 6.1)
16. The ability to integrate skills of
argument and reasoning with those of
empirical observation; (SB 6.1)
17. The ability to contribute effectively to
the exploration of a question or
problem in the context of group
discussion and analysis, through a
combination of intervention, leading
of discussion, and focussed attention
Minor Revision to Programme Specification confirmed by PASC May
2012
to others; (SB 6.1)
18. The ability to deploy the subjectspecific understanding of the nature
of film and related media – in relation
to, for example, social and ethical
questions – in the context of
participation in society as workers
and citizens;
19. The ability to use various IT skills,
ranging from word-processing and
audio-visual presentation to research
through web-based sources, at a level
of sophistication commensurate with
the production of original research.
(SB 6.1)
For more information on which modules provide which skills, see the module
mapping
13. Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and
Awards
Code
Title
Level
Credits
Term(s)
Year 1
Required Modules
FI812
Advanced Film
M
30
1
Theory
FI813
Film History
M
30
1
FI998
Dissertation
M
60
3 plus vacation
Optional Modules
FI8xx
Transnational
M
30
2
Cinemas
FI816
Cinema and
M
30
2
Technology
FI811
Conceptualizing
Film
M
30
2
FI815
Film and
Modernity
M
30
2
14. Support for Students and their Learning
Induction programme.
A Film Subject Handbook outlining procedures specific to the subject.
Faculty of Humanities post-graduate Student Handbook.
Library/skills package delivered by library staff.
Typical class or seminar size is 8-12 students.
Minor Revision to Programme Specification confirmed by PASC May
2012
Learning resources:
In Canterbury lecture/screening spaces are equipped with 35mm film projection
facilities, as well as DVD, SVHS and VHS large screen projection facilities.
Seminar rooms are equipped with DVD, SVHS, and VHS projection facilities for
close film study.
The Templeman library has an extensive collection of books, journals and e-journals
on film and other image media. It also has a large collection of films available to view
in the library on VHS and DVD. The computing facilities in the library enable
students to research widely on the web for materials and information on moving
image media.
The Personal Academic Support System provides advice on module choice and
programme structure, academic difficulties, progression routes and individual
progress.
University support services include: the Graduate School, European Office, a learning
resources centre, a medical centre, a Students' Union (including its Advice and
Information Service), a Careers Advisory Service, Counselling Service and Disability
Support Unit.
15. Entry Profile
Entry Route
For fuller information, please refer to the University prospectus
A first or 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject
What does this programme have to offer?
For 30 years the University of Kent has been at the forefront of developing Film
Studies as an academic discipline. We give cinema serious reflection and critical
scrutiny and this provides the basis for rigorous and penetrating academic study. We
explore film from a variety of perspectives: as a body of material as well as aesthetic,
conceptual and historical modes of interpreting our world. We aim to provide a
challenging education in the subject.
Our current members of staff produce internationally recognised research at the
intersections of film theory, history, practice, and the conceptual and stylistic analysis
of moving image media. We are able to offer teaching and supervision informed by
active scholarship in contemporary and historical approaches to popular and
experimental American, European and World cinemas.
To complete the programme it will be necessary to take a total of 90 ECTS (180 UoK
credits). 120 UoK credits are to be gained from the required modules . A further 60
UoK credits will be gained by the successful completion of a dissertation of up to
15,000 words.
Personal Profile
 An interest in film and Film Studies
Minor Revision to Programme Specification confirmed by PASC May
2012
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A willingness to engage with film through conceptual, philosophical and
theoretical debate
Good skills of expression and argument (written and oral) and/or a willingness
to develop them
An ability to undertake some self-directed study in order to develop an
understanding of films and Film Studies, or a willingness to develop this
ability
16. Methods for Evaluating and Enhancing the Quality and Standards of
Teaching and Learning
Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the
curriculum and outcome standards
 Student module evaluation questionnaires
 Annual monitoring reports which include a review of progression and
achievement statistics
 External examiners' reports
 Periodic programme reviews
 Active staff development programme
 Peer observation
 Annual staff appraisal
 Mentoring of new and part-time lecturers
 Continuous monitoring of student progress and attendance
 Personal Academic Support System
 Vetting process of examination questions by module team, Quality Assurance
Committee, and external examiner(s)
Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and
standards
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Film Studies Committee with student representatives
Film Staff/Student Liaison Committee
Annual programme learning and teaching meeting
External Examiners attending Board of Examiners
External Examiners' Reports
Departmental staff acting as external examiners at other institutions
Double marking of assessed work
Programme director of learning and teaching
Evaluation of graduate destination statistics
School of Arts Graduate Studies Committee
Humanities Faculty Graduate Studies Committee
University Graduate School Board
Programme Board of Examiners
Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their
learning experience
Minor Revision to Programme Specification confirmed by PASC May
2012
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Film Studies Committee with student representatives
Film Staff/Student Liaison Committee
Student module evaluations
End of year programme evaluation
Discussion with Programme Director
Informal meetings and social contact with students (including student role in
recruitment activities)
Student representation on School of Arts department committees
Student representation on faculty committees
Student representation on university committees
Staff have office hours when students can discuss their modules/programmes
Staff Development priorities include:
 Research led teaching
 Links with other European institutions
 Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education requirement for all probationary
lecturers
 Part-time lecturers encouraged to enrol on the Associated Teacher
Accreditation Programme
 Regular formal and informal collaboration in programme development
 Staff appraisal scheme
 Staff development courses
 Staff supervision
 Research seminars
 Subject based conferences
 Interdisciplinary conferences
 Minimum expected qualifications for appointments to lecturing posts
 Minimum expected research record for appointments to lecturing posts
 Mentoring of new and part-time lecturers
 Study leave
 Conference attendance
 Attendance on national/international subject symposia
 Membership of relevant professional/academic bodies
 Widening participation
 Health and safety
 Participation on learning and teaching innovatory projects
 Self evaluation
 Dissemination of good practice on new learning and teaching methods
17. Indicators of Quality and Standards
1. The Periodic Review of Taught Programmes in Film Studies May 2009: The Panel
considered that the programmes were in good health and commended the Department
for its committed and engaged staff and its happy and enthusiastic students.
Minor Revision to Programme Specification confirmed by PASC May
2012
2. Research Assessment Exercise 2008: As part of the School of Arts, Film Studies
made the largest submission to the Research Assessment Exercise in our subject
areas. Film Studies is ranked as one of the two best departments in the country in
terms of 'research power', for the quality of the research of its staff working at a
world-leading level: 35% of its research has been recognised as world class (4*) in
relation to its originality, significance and rigour, and a further 35% (3*) as
internationally excellent.
3. Teaching and research recognised by the AHRC and Leverhulme Trust in the form
of grants given to graduate students and staff for research.
4. External Examiner's Report, 2008 – particularly commends the range and
originality of the topics undertaken for the dissertations. Overall, the achievement of
the students was high, and reflects the effective supervision offered by the teaching
staff, as well as to the commitment of the students.
The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:
Benchmarking statement for Communication, media, film and cultural studies.
The University Plan and Learning and Teaching Strategy
Staff research
Minor Revision to Programme Specification confirmed by PASC May
2012