BA (Hons) Top-Up in Film and Performing Arts Practices
DURATION
1 up to 2 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 14,250 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
The Raindance Film School’s Top-Up BA (Hons) in Film and Performing Arts Practices is a one-year practical course designed for aspiring and experienced acting or filmmaking practitioners who wish to upgrade their existing level 5 (or equivalent) qualification to a full Bachelor of Arts (Hon’s) degree, validated by De Montfort University.
The program allows students to elevate their academic or professional experience in producing, directing, screenwriting, or acting. A standout feature is the opportunity to undertake a four-week film project at our campuses in Mexico, or Dubai.
Benefits of the Raindance Top-up BA
- Practical, technique-centered learning with hands-on projects.
- Experience filmmaking in diverse cultural environments.
- Networking opportunities with industry professionals across three continents.
Where next - what can I study when I complete my top-up BA?
Upon completion of the BA, graduates may be able to progress onto to the Raindance/ DMU MA in filmmaking, as well as external postgraduate courses in subjects such as:
- Film
- Creative Writing
- Arts and Cinema Studies
- Film Studies
- Performance
- Acting
- Directing
Admissions
Curriculum
Professional Practice is fundamental to this course. Creative artefacts (short films, screenplays, performance projects, showreels, etc.) are learning and assessment's mainstay.
Students will achieve advanced level practical proficiency within a chosen Film and Performing Arts pathway, as well as developing undergraduate-level independent study skills. They will research practice within their chosen specialisation (screenwriting, directing, producing or acting) and produce large-scale projects, films or screenplays. The teaching is made up of practical workshops, masterclasses, lectures, seminars and individual tutorials and all sessions are led by lecturers with professional industry experience.
Semester 1
Module 1 – Critical Research (15 credits)
This module allows you to carry out a piece of critical research into your chosen specialisation within film & TV production, to provide a practical, as well as academic, exploration of an area of professional interest to you. The module will also help you to develop your skills of enquiry, reflection, problem-solving and academic writing, which will be valuable preparation for your reflection in future modules.
Module 2 – Specialist Negotiated Practical Project (45 credits)
This module provides you with an opportunity to create a unique project that explores a chosen area of specialisation, with a mind to developing your practical skills. Possible projects that can be undertaken may include a short test film, a music video or test advert, showreel scenes, rehearsal workshops, script development/writers' rooms/ treatments, pitch decks or directing workshops.
Semester 2
Module 3 – Film & TV Business Practices (15 credits)
This module examines the film marketplace, the industry and the job roles available to you in your future career. It is designed to help you navigate the current industry landscape, the opportunities, and the legal and financial considerations you will need to consider as you embark on a career in the film and TV industry. Assessment is via an essay, or short video, that takes the form of a critical case study, or a practitioner profile, from within your chosen specialisation.
Module 4 – Film Practices Final Project (45 credits)
This module provides you with an opportunity to creatively explore an individually chosen area of specialisation and to produce a large-scale, professional standard creative artefact. You can choose one of four options: (a) a producing project; (b) a screenwriting project; (c) a directing project, or (d) an acting project.
The aim of the finished project should be to produce an effective ‘calling card’ to aid entry into the industry. Whether, as a director, actor, screenwriter or producer, the expectation is that all final projects will be produced to a highly professional standard suitable for public/ festival screening and/or future professional production.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The skills acquired in the course are relevant for a wide range of careers, including graduate-level roles in TV and Film production, publishing, marketing, advertising and education.
Graduates from all of our courses compete very successfully in the employment market, with many employers approaching RFS to help recruit new staff.
Program delivery
This is a one-year course held one evening per week (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) and one full day (10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.). If students are pursuing dual pathways (e.g. writing and directing) they will attend an additional evening each week.