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GCSE Film Studies

Study Method Online
Provider Lift College
Recognition AQA
Start Date Enrol anytime
Lift College

Course overview

GCSE Film Studies is a Level 2 qualification, awarded by WJEC Eduqas, in which learners analyse US, global and UK film in two written exams and create a filmed or written production with an evaluative analysis.

The qualification is the WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9 to 1) in Film Studies, entry code C670QS, Ofqual qualification number 603/0889/8 and Qualifications Wales designation number C00/1174/2. It is awarded by WJEC CBAC Ltd, has been taught since 2017 and was first awarded in 2019. Assessment is available in May and June each year, and the qualification is linear, so all assessments are taken at the end of the course.

Who's It For?

  • You are 18 or over and want a recognised Level 2 qualification in a creative subject.
  • You want practical production work assessed alongside written film analysis.
  • You are considering A Level Film Studies, a media diploma or a creative apprenticeship next.
  • You have a computer, reliable internet and access to the correct versions of the set films.
  • You are supporting a home-educated learner who wants a creative GCSE with a mainstream awarding body.
  • You can attend an approved exam centre for two papers in a May or June series.

Job outcomes

  • Camera operator or audio-visual technician
  • Production runner or assistant
  • Arts officer, producer or coordinator
  • Content and marketing associate professional

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

What you'll learn

GCSE Film Studies is both an academic and a practical subject. Two written components ask you to analyse specific set films closely, covering:

  • US mainstream and independent cinema
  • Global film in English and other languages
  • Recent UK film

A third component asks you to produce your own filmed extract or screenplay extract and then explain, in writing, why you made the choices you did.

Recognitions

AQA

Accredited/ Certified by AQA

Study method

  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
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Duration study load

Typical study time is 12 to 18 months. The course is self-paced with no fixed term dates — you can start any time. Most learners spend a few hours each week, but you can do more or less based on your own pace.

Delivery

The course is studied 100% online. You can log in any time from a phone, tablet or laptop. Written exams are sat at an approved centre in the May or June series.

Entry requirements

There are no formal academic entry requirements and no prior film qualification is needed. You should be 18 or over and comfortable writing extended responses in English, since both papers include extended writing tasks in which specialist film language is assessed.

Practical requirements include:

  • A laptop or desktop computer
  • A reliable internet connection
  • Legitimate access to the correct versions of every set film
  • A way to record and edit a short filmed extract, or to write and present a screenplay extract with a shooting script

Online providers normally require you to complete at least half of the programme and pass the associated assignments before exam entry is confirmed. Candidate work is submitted electronically for moderation.

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Pathways

This qualification is suitable for learners considering A Level Film Studies, a media diploma or a creative apprenticeship as their next step.

Course features

  • Personal named UK subject tutor from enrolment through to your exam series
  • Exam-style practice questions in every unit with individual written feedback within 5 to 7 working days
  • Progress tracking dashboard showing unit scores, topic strengths and areas to revisit
  • Optional pre-series exam readiness check including a timed mock paper
  • AI Study Assistant and study support tools
  • Resubmit work at no extra cost to reach the grade you want
  • Optional study planner for structure
  • Learner community forum
  • Start any time — no fixed term dates or cohorts
  • 7-day free trial on every sign up; cancel anytime
  • 14-day money back guarantee

Professional Recognition

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual and sits on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 2. It is awarded by WJEC Eduqas (WJEC CBAC Ltd), a recognised UK awarding body. The qualification is accepted by UK universities, employers and professional bodies, and is listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. It is independently quality checked through IQA and EQA.

Assessment

GCSE Film Studies (WJEC Eduqas, entry code C670QS) is assessed by two written components plus a non-exam production.

  • Component 1: Key Developments in US Film. 1 hour 30 minutes, 70 marks, 35%. Section A: US film comparative study; Section B: Key developments in film and film technology; Section C: US independent film.
  • Component 2: Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style. 1 hour 30 minutes, 70 marks, 35%. Section A: Global English language film; Section B: Global non-English language film; Section C: Contemporary UK film.
  • Component 3: Production (non-exam). 60 marks, 30%. An individual production — either a 2:00 to 2:30 filmed genre extract or an 800 to 1,000 word screenplay extract with a shooting script (40 marks, 20%) — plus a 750 to 850 word evaluative analysis (20 marks, 10%). Available genres: science fiction, romance, horror, teenage film, action.

Grading: 9 to 1, with U below the minimum standard. No tiering.

Written exams are sat at one of 10 approved exam centres: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots and Taunton.

Additional information

Exams are sat at approved Tutors and Exams centres across England. The 10 current approved centres are located in Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots and Taunton. You choose your centre when you book your exam series.

Two study options are available: Study (full tuition, tutor marking and study support — you arrange and pay for your own exams) and +Exams (everything in Study plus exam entry and centre fees booked and paid for by the provider).

Payment options

Course fees:

Study: £407.99 or £39.99 per month

Study + Exams: £713.99 or £69.99 per month

  • Pay monthly to spread the cost with no interest
  • Pay annually to save versus monthly pricing
  • No credit checks and no contract — pause or cancel anytime
  • 7-day free trial on every option; nothing charged until the trial ends
  • 14-day money back guarantee on every enrolment
  • Employer sponsorship available — funding paperwork can be sent to your employer

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About Lift College

Lift College is a fully online UK education provider dedicated to A-Levels and GCSEs. Every course is designed, taught and assessed to give adult and independent learners a genuine second route into the qualifications employers, universities and colleges recognise. All teaching happens online. Learners study on our purpose-built online campus with a named UK tutor, structured modules, marked assignments and an AI Study Assistant that answers questions instantly and points learners to the exact page of the specification they need. There is no timetable to keep, no travel, and no fixed start date. Learners begin any day of the year, pause and resume when life gets busy, and move through the material at whatever pace works for them. Every course starts with a 7-day free trial. Learners get full access to the online campus, tutor support, and study materials from day one, and nothing is charged until the trial ends. After the trial, learners have a further 14-day refund period, so there is no financial risk in trying Lift College properly before committing. After that, courses run on a simple monthly subscription with exam entry included. There is no contract, no commitment, no exit fees, no credit checks, and no risk. Learners can cancel or pause at any time, for any reason, in a couple of clicks from their dashboard. Written exams are sat in person at established private-candidate exam centres across England, with entry, venue and invigilation arranged for the learner in advance. Every A-Level and GCSE is delivered to the same awarding-body specifications, and results in the same certificates, as those awarded in schools and colleges. UKPRN 10102267.

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