Cinema and Media Studies (BA)
Explore film, television, digital media, and visual storytelling while developing the critical thinking and communication skills to understand how media shapes our world.
Why choose this program?
Movies, television, video games, and digital media shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Cinema and Media Studies helps you understand the stories, technologies, and cultural forces behind the media we experience every day.
Cinema and Media Studies explores the moving image across film, television, streaming platforms, video games, and emerging digital media. You'll study how media is created, interpreted, and connected to broader cultural, historical, and social contexts.
Through film analysis, media theory, history, and specialized electives, you'll learn how to examine storytelling, representation, technology, and audience experiences. Courses explore topics such as global cinema, genres, directors, animation, Indigenous representation, popular culture, and the relationship between media and society.
The program develops valuable skills in research, writing, communication, and critical thinking—skills that prepare you for careers in media, communications, cultural organizations, education, law, and many other fields.
"I had no idea how many points of view there could be in cinema." -Maxime Thibeault, Class of '25
Careers
Cinema and Media Studies graduates develop strong research, communication, and analytical skills that prepare them for careers in media, communications, cultural organizations, and many other industries.
Graduates pursue careers in areas such as film and television, digital media, publicity, communications, content development, cultural organizations, and media research.
The program also provides excellent preparation for graduate studies and professional programs such as law and education.
What you will learn
You'll learn how to analyze and understand moving images through film history, media theory, and cultural perspectives. You'll develop skills in research, writing, communication, and critical thinking while exploring how media influences society.
Sample courses
Explore a range of courses while building the writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills you'll use throughout your degree.
- Film Analysis
- Film History 1
- Popular Cinemas
- Film History 2
- Indigenous Representation in Film
- Black and African Diasporas in Cinema
- East Asian Animation
- Special Topics in Cinema Studies
- Sound in Cinema
Beyond classroom learning, students can gain practical experience through applied courses, placements, internships, and opportunities with organizations in the cinema and media field.
Students can also connect through the Dalhousie Cinema and Media Studies Society, which hosts screenings, discussions, and film-related activities.
Get paid work experience
Dal Arts students can apply for the FASS Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pilot Program, which offers a one-semester paid work term where you put what you learn in the classroom into practice, build career-ready skills and gain experience in the workplace.
Learn beyond the classroom
Arts students can take their learning beyond the classroom through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ experiential learning program.
Participate in internships, community-based projects, research opportunities and career-focused experiences that help you apply what you learn, explore your interests and prepare for your future.
Customize your degree
Customize your degree through major, double major, combined honours, or minor pathways. Explore areas such as film history, audiovisual analysis, global cinema, television, video games, popular culture, media theory, and representation.
The flexibility of the program also allows you to combine Cinema and Media Studies with another discipline across Arts, Science, and other areas of study.
Major
Double Major
Combined Honours
Minor in Film Studies
Film History
Film Theory
Global Cinema
Television Studies
Video Games and Digital Media
Popular Cinema
Media and Society
Representation and Identity
Field placements
Applied media projects
Get involved with the Cinema and Media Studies Society
Film screenings and discussions
Explore the stories, technologies, and ideas that shape our media landscape. You'll graduate with the analytical, communication, and research skills to understand and contribute to today's visual culture.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Four additional academic Grade 12 subjects
- No audition or portfolio is required. Students apply through the general Bachelor of Arts application process and can declare Cinema and Media Studies after beginning their studies.
