Studying film at the University of Aberdeen offers the opportunity of being in a vibrant student environment, combining a handsome ancient campus with excellent facilities and a committed teaching and support staff. The Film and Visual Culture Department, which is based in the School of Language and Literature, is in a period of expansion.
The curriculum offers students a foundation in film history and theory. The study of cinema explores the most vital medium of the twentieth century, taking account both of the nature of film as an art form, and of the cultural contexts in which films are produced. By making connections between global communications, new technologies, international politics, and aesthetic practices, Film and Visual Culture aims to develop an awareness of how media affect pressing questions of contemporary life.
What distinguishes this programme is its interdisciplinary focus. Rather than compartmentalize the study of media and film in terms of form, genre, history, theory or area studies, we believe it is essential to engage all of these issues in a way that fosters an awareness of the historical culture and aesthetic politics. As befits a 500-year old institution, Aberdeen has excellent library facilities and collections, well-equipped screening facilities, and lecture and seminar rooms adapted for specialist film teaching. Our new Media Lab contains video editing suites and a range of new high definition video cameras and other production equipment. The University has excellent computer facilities and in 2008 became a wireless campus. In 2009, it commences construction of the 57 million New Library, due to open in 2011. We also have integrated study abroad opportunities, such as in Canada at the University of British Columbia, University of Calgary and Queen's University, or in the USA at the Universities of Illinois, Oregon, New Mexico and Washington, or other institutions such as the University of Hong Kong, or as part of the Erasmus programme to European universities. For further details visit our Study Abroad site.