Join us at Laurier

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

Steps to Apply

Undergraduate Admissions Graduate Admissions

Steps to Apply

Undergraduate AdmissionsGraduate Admissions

Film Studies (BA)

waterloo

Study the prominent role of films and visual media in how people experience the modern world. Enroll in a Film Studies program that’s considered one of the top film programs in Canada. Courses equip you with an understanding of national cinemas, the history of film, different film genres, film theory and more. Take a specialization in Film Theory or Film Production or complete a diploma from the Vancouver Film School, along with your Bachelor of Arts, in only four years.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you can add to your Film Studies program:

  • Apply for co-op at the end of your first year to gain hands-on work experience for your resume.
  • Apply to live in the Film and Media Residence Learning Community as part of your first year experience.
  • Participate in the Undergraduate Film Symposium and display your work to your fellow students.
  • Share your music taste as a DJ on Radio Laurier.

Check out the Film Studies Experience Guide.

 

2020 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2019/20

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term)     OUAC code: UH
Ontario High School Admission Requirements
  • Minimum admission range: low 70s
  • Competitive admission range based on last year’s admitted students: low 80s
  • English at 60%
Canadian Admission Requirements (Outside of Ontario)

Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under Ontario High School Admission Requirements.
International Admission Requirements

Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements; you must also meet all program-specific requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.

English-Proficiency Requirement

Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you experience success in your academic courses.

Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.

If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.

Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program

The Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) program is an academic English program for Laurier applicants who have to prove English proficiency. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English- proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the LEAF program.
College Pathways

Graduates from a two-year general Arts and Science diploma program can apply to Film Studies within the Faculty of Arts on Laurier’s Waterloo campus. To be considered for admission to the Faculty of Arts, graduates must have an overall average of 75% in their program and achieve a minimum of 60% in a 4U English course or equivalent.

Learn more about our college transfer agreement.

Other Admission Requirements

Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for university students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more. 

Your Next Steps

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Program Details

Film Studies at Laurier

Our Film Studies program addresses the prominent role visual media play in our experience of the world today. Our courses equip you with an understanding of:

  • The history of film;
  • The key methods of critical analysis and film theory;
  • The relationship of film style to its social and industrial contexts; and
  • The variety of film genres and national cinemas.

With three wide-ranging introductory courses, you'll have a choice of entry into the field of film studies in your first year. For upper-year students, we offer courses on film genres, theory, film history, national cinemas, and other topics. Our range of courses makes Film Studies at Laurier an engaging, richly diverse program both in Canada and internationally. Our partnership with the Vancouver Film School makes our program unique in the world.

Vancouver Film School Pathway

The Vancouver Film School (VFS) pathway allows you the opportunity to enrich your critical study of cinema with practical training in film production, writing, or acting at Canada’s leading school for filmmaking.

In only four years, students in the VFS pathway complete an honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Laurier and a diploma from VFS. Film Studies students attend one of three VFS programs:

  • Acting for Film and Television
  • Film Production
  • Writing for Film, Television and Games

Program Options and Courses

Specializations

Our program gives you the opportunity to engage in hands-on production. You can graduate with a specialization in Film Theory or Film Production as part of your degree.

Options and Minors

Consider adding one of these popular academic opportunities which allow you to broaden your knowledge:

  • Applied Digital Option
  • Communication Studies Minor
  • Community Engagement Option
  • Creative Writing Minor
  • History Minor
  • Management Option
We also offer a Film Production Option for non-Film majors who seek to combine a foundational knowledge of Film Studies with a practical understanding of the techniques of video and film production, from script to screen.

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

You'll choose two of the following courses:

  • Film and Genre
  • Film and the Image
  • Film and Narrative

In addition, you'll choose 4.0 elective credits in courses that interest you.

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Introduction to Creative Writing
  • Media History
  • Nonverbal Communication

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • The Art Film Director
  • Film Comedy
  • Film History Since 1950
  • Science Fiction Film
  • Screenwriting and Directing

Similar Programs

Co-op

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"Not everyone is lucky enough to get to study something they love for four years and then get to work in their chosen field. For me, that passion was film, and I owe the development of my love of film and my position within the industry to my time in the Laurier Film Studies program!"

Hanna Burnett, coordinator, Programme Services, Toronto International Film Festival

"I will always be grateful to the professors at Laurier for investing so much in us and our learning. This has completely pushed me to where I am today."

Krista Boniface, communications, Academy of Canadian Cinema and TV

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • announcer/broadcaster/host
  • author/screenwriter
  • communications officer
  • director/cinematographer
  • editor/editorial assistant
  • film editor
  • film producer
  • post-production technician
  • publishing representative
  • script supervisor/writer
  • web series production

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

"Vancouver Film School is a great choice for anyone who is serious about a career in hands-on film production. The entire program is focused exclusively on training students to an industry level of competence in their chosen discipline. Every specialization taught at VFS is packed full of intensive and thorough technical training, and the skills learned are constantly practiced through frequent productions and workshops."

Luke Sarazin, Film Studies and Vancouver Film School graduate

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 519.884.0710 x3385 or see all contact information.

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