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GCE A Level in Film Studies

at Thomas Gainsborough School, Sudbury · school or sixth form

Level 3A levelsGCE A level2 yearsFull timeFree

What the college says

Film Studies explores the dominant art form of the 20th Century. Students have an opportunity to develop a detailed knowledge and appreciation of how film makes meaning and generates responses. The course provides opportunities to experience aspects of practical film making, including cinematography, editing and sound design, whilst encouraging appreciation of Hollywood cinema, silent film, experimental cinema, and key historical movements. This Film Studies course is designed to ignite a passion for film and encourage broader cultural and historical perspectives on this academic area of study. It encourages you to watch, engage critically with and explore a wide range of film; to develop and sustain confident, personal responses to film via textual analysis and to enjoy a variety of critically acclaimed films across the major genres. You will study a diverse range of film, including Classical and New Hollywood films, such as Alien and Captain Fantastic, film from the Silent Era (Fritz Lang), experimental film (David Lynch) and British films, such as Trainspotting and Shaun of the Dead. You will learn how film and film practice has a significance in national, global and historical contexts, as well as looking at social, cultural, political and technological contexts. You will learn how films use constructs such as narrative, genre, representation, spectatorship and aesthetics to create meaning by deconstructing and then creating a screenplay and short film to apply your learn

What you need to get on

Grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language or English Literature. You do not need to have previously studied that Film Studies at GCSE to take this course.

How you are assessed

Academic subjects, mostly exams, three or four at once. The traditional route to university.

What this level means

The A-level-equivalent step, and what universities and employers ask for.

Is it open to 16 to 18 year olds?

Approved for 16 to 18 study on the government's Section 96 list.

Where it runs

  • Thomas Gainsborough School

    Wells Hall Road Great Cornard, Sudbury, CO10 0NH

    DaytimeClassroom based
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Start dates

  • 1 September 2026 · Sudbury

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