Film, Media, Theatre & Performance Foundation Year
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Please note: From September 2026, Foundation Years at Northumbria are changing and will become integrated 'Extended Degrees'. Register your interest to be kept in the loop about 2026 entry.
Would you like to develop the practical, intellectual and creative skills required to become critical and reflective arts practitioner?
Acting as a gateway to degree-level study, the Film, Media, Theatre and Performance Foundation Year course allows you to study a broad range of creative arts disciplines across all aspects of film, media and theatre.
You will work practically and intellectually to acquire key transferable skills such as effective communication, teamwork, time and project management, research and digital literacy, all of which can prove vital to achieving at university and gaining employment after graduation.
But more than this, you will learn from leading academics to develop the practical and theoretical grounding needed to become a future cultural industries leader, with particular focus on Film, Media and Performance. The degree is dynamic, interdisciplinary, and addresses real world challenges, ensuring you will have the best possible foundation for future study and continued success.
Research Powerhouse: Art and Design at Northumbria is ranked 4th in the UK for research power (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 6 places compared to 2014.
Experts in the Field: You will be taught by a team of world-leading artists and academics who will equip you with the skills needed to successfully take your learning to the next level.
Industry Connections: Northumbria recently teamed up with the British Film Institute to provide live-brief and projects for students. We also have connections with performance venues, such as Northern Stage and Alphabetti Theatre.
Upon successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to progress into any of the following undergraduate programmes.
UCAS Code
P325
Level of Study
Undergraduate
Mode of Study
1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department
Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Arts
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
This Film, Media, Theatre and Performance Foundation Year offers a wide range of learning opportunities in challenging, stimulating and dynamic studio learning environments.
Taking place over two semesters, the course modules cover fundamental skills needed in performance practice, communication, film practice, project planning and management, media theory, and cultural studies.
Teaching is delivered through a mix of studio and workshop activity, lectures, seminars and the practical use of technology and equipment. This course is assessed through a range of methods including practice-based submissions, essays and presentations.
You will also complete an assessed portfolio that can include various features such as performance, short films, artwork and live practice.
Find out more about what you will be studying on your course.
You will learn from award winning filmmakers, performers, media specialists and well-published lecturers who have established a high quality, research-led approach to teaching, combined with first class support. The academic team includes practising researchers and leaders in their field, many of whom are actively involved, through their research, with real issues that face the community.
The teaching team will further support your personal development, practice-based skills, intellectual growth and transferable skills such as effective communication, teamwork, time and project management, research and digital literacy; all of which are essential in the 21st century workplace.
You will work in our dedicated art, performance and media spaces featuring state-of-the-art facilities. Our learning environment includes specialist areas for performance, sound technology, film production, print, dark room photography, and radio broadcasting. Our onsite theatres and studios are kitted out with high quality technology where you can test your ideas and host your own events, performances, exhibitions, and workshops.
The 24/7 University Library achieves some of the highest levels of student satisfaction in the UK and has held the Cabinet Office accreditation for Customer Service Excellence since 2010.
Technology enhanced learning is embedded throughout this course and materials such as module handbooks, assessment information, lecture presentation slides and reading lists will be available via our innovative e-learning platform, Blackboard.
Come and explore our outstanding facilities in this interactive virtual tour.
All the teaching on this Foundation Year is underpinned by research.
By using a range of theoretical and practical approaches across the programme, you will be fully equipped to identify problems within the field of Film, Media and Performance. You will also have the opportunity to work collaboratively to find solutions to those real-world challenges and respond to contemporary ideas.
At the end of this course, you will have developed your own knowledge and critical evaluation skills, allowing you to understand the most effective ways to gather information related to your upcoming undergraduate degree.
This course has been specifically designed to develop your skills and prepare you for one of our exciting undergraduate degrees in Film and Television, Media and Communications, or Theatre and Performance. You will focus on subject-specific modules that will ensure optimal preparation for your upcoming course.
When you begin your chosen undergraduate degree, the skills acquired on this Foundation Year course should assist in your understanding of your chosen subject. Your newly developed research skills will also prove invaluable for assignments and projects, and your budding portfolio will have chance to grow and develop further.
Completion of your subsequent undergraduate degree will help to prepare you for future employment or the progression to further education or Master’s level courses.
You can boost your CV and develop your experience whilst studying at Northumbria.
From first year through to final year and beyond graduation, we are here to help.
We have a fantastic service for students' to use to gain advice and tips on furthering careers and enhancing their employability.
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80 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,535
* Fees subject to annual increases over the course of the period of study. Students will be liable for payment of any/all tuition fees which are not sponsored by their employer or other third party.
International Fee in Year 1:
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
else
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS
International applicants please apply using the links below
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
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