Nottingham Trent University

What you'll study

This combined programme brings together practical film and television modules with historical study across a broad chronological and thematic range. In the film and TV element you will study screen history, film theory, production practice (camera, sound, editing), screenwriting, documentary-making and media industries. Practical work ranges from single-camera shoots and short narrative films to multi-camera studio projects and short-form documentary or web series.

The history component covers core historical skills—source analysis, historiography and research methods—alongside options in political, social and cultural history. Typical thematic choices include modern British history, global and imperial history, gender and society, memory and commemoration, and cultural/intellectual history. Modules encourage use of archives, oral history and material culture sources.

The degree is structured so you build practical and theoretical skills across three years: an introductory core in year one, expanded option choices and intermediate project work in year two, and a final-year honours project that can take the form of a substantial film or television production accompanied by a contextual history dissertation, or a research-led thesis with a complementary media project.

• Core film and TV topics: introduction to production, editing and post-production, screenwriting fundamentals, documentary practice, genre and authorship, industry and distribution.
• Core history topics: historical methods and research skills, British and global thematic modules, public history, archives and digital history.
• Final-year options: major project (short film or TV pilot), dissertation in history, placement or work-based learning, interdisciplinary modules in media history or cultural memory.
• Opportunities for professional practice: live briefs, collaborative projects with acting and performance students, festival submissions and work placements in media or heritage organisations.

Entry requirements

Typical entrants have a mix of qualifications demonstrating ability in both practical and academic study. Acceptable qualifications include A levels, BTEC National Diplomas, an Access to Higher Education Diploma, or recognised equivalents. Admissions tutors look for evidence of interest in film/media and history, which might be shown through personal statements, relevant coursework, portfolios of practical work or experience in media or heritage settings.

Applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet NTU's English language requirements. Mature applicants and those with work-based experience are encouraged to apply; admissions decisions take a holistic view of qualifications, experience and potential. Some applicants may be invited to provide a short practical sample or to attend an interview, particularly where practical aptitude is relevant.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with a combination of technical production skills, critical understanding of media, and historical research and communication abilities. Career paths commonly followed include roles in film and television production (camera, editing, production management), screenwriting, documentary-making, broadcasting, post-production and freelance media work.

The historical training opens routes into archives and record offices, museums and heritage organisations, public history and interpretation, conservation, research roles, publishing, journalism and cultural policy. Many graduates combine skills from both halves of the degree to work in factual and historical programming, archive consultancy for media productions, festival programming, and education or outreach roles in heritage sites. Further study options include specialist MA programmes in film, media, history or museum studies and professional routes such as teacher training (PGCE) or industry apprenticeships.

Why study at Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University offers practical, industry-focused training alongside academic study. Film and TV students benefit from access to professional-standard facilities through NTU’s creative technologies provision, including cameras, sound and editing suites, and studio space, while history students can make use of strong local and regional archives for original research. The university emphasises employability through a dedicated placements and careers team, live projects and industry links.

NTU’s campus location provides active links with the city’s cultural organisations, production companies and independent festivals, creating opportunities for networking and work experience. The joint degree’s interdisciplinary approach lets you combine creative practice with historical rigour, preparing you for a versatile career in the creative and cultural sectors or for further academic study.