What careers can you do
with a Film degree?

When you sit down to watch a film, you’re witnessing the result of hundreds, often thousands, of people working together behind the scenes.

25 February 2025

Virtual Production Studio, UCA Farnham

From the earliest stages of development to the final edit, a huge range of roles are involved in bringing a story to life on screen.  

If you're considering a film degree the good news is that this subject opens doors to a seemingly endless variety of exciting career paths, both on set and beyond. 

On-set careers: bringing films to life 

Perhaps the most obvious route for film graduates is to work within the practical aspect of filmmaking. A Film Production degree will give you hands-on training that can prepare you for various practical roles. This includes: 

  • Directing 
  • Cinematography 
  • Sound design 
  • Editing 
  • Producing 
  • Production Design 

Many students start with entry-level roles such as production assistants or camera trainees. They’ll then work their way up as they gain experience, often using smaller projects as an opportunity to showcase their skill. 

Off-set roles: expanding your horizons 

Not all film graduates work directly on set. The creative and analytical skills gained during a film degree also prepare you for job roles that support production process in different ways: 

  • Screenwriting 
  • Location scouting 
  • Research 
  • Casting  

These careers often require a blend of creativity, logistical thinking, and communication skills. All of these are qualities you’d gain by studying for a degree in film. 

UCA AVID dubbing suite

Beyond production: careers in media 

The theoretical deep-dive that  a Film Studies degree offers can pave the way to many other film-related careers, even if they seem a little less obvious! 

Your ability to dissect film can make you a highly-valued employee within media or academia. For instance: 

  • Film criticism and journalism 
  • Film and media teaching 
  • Festival programming 
  • Curation 
  • Archiving and restoration 

It’s also worth noting that a film degree will give you a host of skills such as project management, storytelling and teamwork, that are highly sought-after in almost all industries and job roles.  

These skills, coupled with a background in film, often lead graduates into careers in marketing, public relations, advertising, and digital content creation. 

TV Studio, UCA Farnham

An alternative path: other degrees that lead to jobs in film 

While a Filmmaking degree offers a clear and direct route into the industry, many other university courses also lead to jobs in film. Creative universities like the UCA are full of courses loaded with talent waiting to join the film industry. This includes:  

These alternative degrees show just how varied and collaborative the film industry is. Whether animating fantastical creatures, managing production logistics or design elaborative costumes, there's more than one way to break into film. 

More advice for film applicants 

Related courses

Undergraduate

Postgraduate