Film BA
I joined KTV, a student-run TV station. Last year I produced a TV series and this year I am making a film.
Very well. In the first year, the compulsory modules give you a broad introduction to film. One of my favourites was called Film Theory; each week we studied a different topic, which really extended my film knowledge and improved my ability to read films. It was an excellent foundation. In your second and final years, you choose your own modules, which means you can specialise in areas you are interested in. I enjoy going into a subject in depth and so chose a module called Film Authorship where you focus on one director. We studied Fritz Lang, I enjoyed the films, learning about the director and studying the theory alongside his work.
I get on very well with my lecturers and our seminar leaders are always happy to suggest books, or read over essay plans with us. I enjoy the seminars, the groups are quite small and it is good to hear what other people have to say.
Single honours students can do a practical filmmaking module in their first year where you are taught how to use a camera and how to use the editing suite. I really enjoy the theory-based modules and have chosen to focus on those in my studies. I have joined KTV, a student society, and that is where I do all my filmmaking. Last year I produced a TV series and this year I am making a film. I joined KTV; last year I produced a TV series and this year I am making a film.
The School is very welcoming. The Jarman Building, where we are based, is very busy and has a good atmosphere. The technical facilities are amazing, and having it all in one place with people to help is great.
I lived on campus in Tyler Court in my first year. Living in University accommodation means you get to meet lots of people and it’s great to be so close to everything. I also think it was good value for money. There’s lots to do and plenty of opportunities to meet people with similar interests. I really like the city of Canterbury too. It has live music venues and comedy performances; there is usually something going on somewhere. And it is very easy to get there from campus.
Very good – the new wing of the library is amazing, really beautiful; there are also a lot of online resources you can access from home if you need to.
I didn’t decide to do it until I had completed my first year. It was very easy to switch though. I am going to study at NUI Galway next year. There were a lot of possible destinations but I decided on Galway. The modules look very interesting but also, if you study abroad in the European Union, it is possible to get funding through the Erasmus Scheme and that influenced my decision too. I am looking forward to studying there and to travelling around Ireland.
I want to go into film production. I had a gap year and made some connections then, so I could go back and work for those companies. I think, in my final year, I will start to make contact with companies and look for internships.
First, make sure it is what you want to study. If it is, Kent is a good place to come because the amount of modules on offer means that you really can follow your interests. Also, you don’t have to go into the film industry – the skills you learn are useful in many careers so it is a flexible degree. I am really enjoying my time here. I would recommend it.