Course summary

The BA Film Studies and Music combined degree at SOAS University of London offers an innovative and interdisciplinary education that explores the evolving relationship between cinema and digital media. This unique programme enables students to critically engage with the historical, cultural, and artistic dimensions of film while acquiring the skills necessary to navigate and create in the rapidly changing landscape of digital technologies and media. In the BA Film Studies component, students examine the diverse histories, theories, and practices of cinema, focusing on how film functions as a powerful medium for storytelling and cultural expression. The curriculum encourages critical analysis of films from various genres and regions, exploring their societal impact and the ways they reflect and shape cultural identities. Students engage with a broad spectrum of cinematic works, from classic films to contemporary cinema, gaining insights into the role of film in a digital age. With access to SOAS’s distinguished faculty and industry connections, students benefit from guest lectures by filmmakers and media professionals, as well as practical training in film analysis and curation. The programme’s prime location in Bloomsbury, close to key cultural institutions like the British Film Institute, enriches the student experience with regular screenings, discussions, and networking opportunities. SOAS Music has an international reputation for providing a platform for musicians, industry specialists, and researchers from around the world. Students study music from a variety of perspectives, including ethnomusicology, anthropology, politics, and history, and survey a broad range of Asian and African musical cultures, with the opportunity to focus on specific regions and cross-regional themes. Performance is a central component of the music component of the degree. You will develop expertise in a great variety of musical performance traditions. The course combines academic and practical skills: students are trained in research methods, critical theories, fieldwork practice, sound recording, podcasting, presentation skills, and musical performance.