Bachelor of Film Studies - Degree Partnership with SAIT

The Bachelor of Film Studies is designed to develop a broad critical understanding of the cultural role of film and mass media and to give students an opportunity to acquire professional skills that can lead to a variety of career paths.

The University of Calgary section of the program provides a broad understanding of film history, film theory, the aesthetics of film, and film as cultural industry. The SAIT portion of the program complements this background with technical skills suited to students considering careers in film making, film criticism, arts policy or arts administration,

At SAIT, you will take a two-year diploma in Film and Video Production. You can also transfer into the program with a related diploma from another institution.

Note: Students interested in a broader exposure to academic study or wishing to take a minor should consider the four-year BA in Film Studies.

Admission Requirements:

The GPA required for admission to the University of Calgary varies from year to year but a level of at least 72% for applicants from high school is often required. Note: Applied or Pure Math 30 or equivalent is required for admission to all Faculty of Communication and Culture major programs.  If you have not taken Math 30 in high school, you should take a transferable upgrading course as soon as possible.  Some upgrading courses at SAIT and MRC are not transferable.

Note: Admission to the University of Calgary portion of the degree does not guarantee admission to the SAIT diploma program. You must apply separately to SAIT for this portion of the program by February 28 of the previous year at the latest.  Applications in January or earlier are ideal.

Courses and Suggested Sequence
(if you are starting your program at the University of Calgary)

Before April 1 of the year you intend to begin your program: Apply to the University of Calgary, Faculty of Communication and Culture. Indicate the Bachelor of Communications Studies as your intended major. 

First Year

COMS 201: Intro to Film Studies

GNST201: First Year Seminar

3 half-course equivalents in Social Sciences, Humanities, Science or Fine Arts (breadth option; two must be from the same faculty)

2 half-course equivalents from the Intercultural Requirement (see next page)

3 half-course equivalents Open Options

Before April 1 of your first year in the program: If you have not already done so, transfer to the BFS.

Second Year

General Studies 300: Heritage of Western Thought

Film Studies 201: Introduction to Film Studies

Film 301: National Cinema or CNST 331: Canadian Film Culture

Film 307: Film and Gender Studies

Film 321: History of Popular Cinema

Film Option - one of Canadian Studies 341, 421

Film Studies 305, 405, 409, 471

2 half course equivalents Open Options (or Breadth/Intercultural options if you have not already fulfilled these)

February 28: Final deadline to apply to SAIT.  Apply much earlier if possible

Third Year

General Studies 500: Heritage II (may be completed in Spring or Summer session)

First year of SAIT diploma Program

Fourth Year

COMS 580: Advanced BCS/BCS Project

Second Year of SAIT diploma program

Overview of Requirements

Core Courses:  GNST 300, 500, FILM 301 or CNST 331, FILM 307, 321, one FILM option (one of Canadian Studies 341, 421, Film 305, 405, 409, 471

Intercultural Requirement: Two half-course equivalents of any non-English language, a recognized credit travel study program, or two half-course equivalents from a list of courses which familiarize students with various aspects of cultures outside the Western tradition.   See the University of Calgary Calendar under Communication and Culture for a full list.  You should normally try to meet this requirement in your first year, but may wish to use your Second Year Open Options to take 300 level courses toward these requirements in second year.

Breadth Requirement:  Three half-course equivalents from Science, Social Sciences, Humanities or Fine Arts.  At least two of these must be from the same faculty.

Placement at SAIT: Acceptance into the BCS degree at the University of Calgary does not automatically guarantee acceptance at SAIT.  You must apply directly to SAIT no later than February 28 of the year before you wish to begin as SAIT.  Applications in January or earlier are appreciated. 

Co-operative Education Option.  You may take the BFS as a Co-op program in which you will add three or more paid work terms of four months each to your program.  This will normally add an extra year to the program.  See the Co-op Page for more details.

Post-Diploma Option  You may transfer to the BFS if you meet all other requirements and hold a SAIT diploma in Film and Video Production (or equivalent):

The diploma will be credited toward eight of the required twenty full course equivalents toward the BCS degree.  The remaining twelve full-course equivalents must include all University of Calgary requirements for the BCS.  If you want  to complete the post-diploma BFS in two years, you will have to complete two full-course equivalents in Spring or Summer sessions; otherwise you may need to take an additional year.

For additional information, please contact:

Undergraduate Programs
University of Calgary
(403) 220-5881, upo@ucalgary.ca
(For all technicial questions regarding requirements)

Dr. Maria Bakardjieva
Head, Communication Division
University of Calgary
(403) 220-7300, bakardji@ucalgary.ca

Mr. Steve Olson
Intake Co-ordinator
Cinema, Television, Stage and Radio
SAIT
(403) 284-7230, steve.olson@sait.ab.ca