BA (Cinema and Media Studies)
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Cinema and Media Studies
Study the moving image. Shape the world.
Explore cinema and media storytelling culture and practices.
The new flexible BA (Cinema and Media Studies) program is a broad, general program of study. You'll complete courses in various aspects of cinema and media including theory and history as well as studio-based courses. Build and customize the program based on your specific interests.
Enhance your critical and professional practices and combine theoretical work with practical, applied opportunities in film and media making, preparing you for a career in the arts or further education in filmmaking.
Program: Bachelor of Arts
Major: Cinema and Media Studies
Degree Length: 4 years
Combining critical theory with historical research and hands-on studio practice, Cinema and Media Studies prepares you to analyze and produce media in meaningful, creative ways.
Why study Cinema and Media at ULethbridge?
Theory meets practice: Combine academic study with creative work.
Interdisciplinary learning: Explore visual culture and media through multiple academic lenses.
- Customizable degree path: Core requirements paired with flexible electives means you tailor your studies to your interests.
Industry-relevant skills: Build up your storytelling, media production, communication and analysis skills.
Top-tier facilities: Access professional equipment and technology through our spaces in the Faculty of Fine Arts.
Students enrolled in the program will enjoy a highly distinctive approach to the study of moving image and media culture, both in terms of using and making media. This new major incorporates offerings from a variety of pre-existing programs, connecting students from a range of academic cultures in a completely unique, and forward-thinking way.
Dr. Aaron Taylor, Professor of Cinema Studies
The Cinema and Media Studies major brings my wants and dreams into a world of reality, giving me hope there is real work to be done within this field, that there's a space for me within it, and I can begin to find it from the comfort of my own community – my hometown.
Wynter Baker, student
Key skills gained
- Visual culture analysis
- Storytelling & communication
- Critical thinking in a media-driven world
Explore careers in
- Communications & media policy research
- Narrative, documentary and social media production
- Media distribution and management
In this program you learn how to situate film and digital media within various aesthetic, social, cultural, political, economic and ethical contexts. As a student, you'll critically assess production processes and industry expectations, while also applying technical and creative skills to the production of your own video and digital media works.
We're looking for students who are:
- passionate about different types of media (games, videos, movies, TV, web and digital)
- entrepreneurs and self-starters
- budding creators interested in the why behind their creative impulses
You'll put theory to practice through a hybrid of studio, seminar and “studies”-based courses. With an emphasis on discussion and team-based learning, elements of hands-on media making and close contact with individual instructors, you'll take a wide variety of fascinating courses — including subjects taught by world-renowned New Media, Cinema, Indigenous Studies scholars and more!
As a graduate of the program you can look forward to career opportunities in a variety of fields, such as:
- leadership roles within the moving image and digital arts
- careers in communications and social media production
- digital entrepreneurship
- social policy research
Individual courses from other institutions may transfer to the University of Lethbridge, and University of Lethbridge courses may transfer to other institutions as per the Alberta Transfer Guide. Students transferring to the University of Lethbridge may complete as much as half of the degree and major at another institution.
If you're a current ULethbridge student, you can request to switch to the BA with a major in Cinema and Media Studies by completing the Request to Change Program or Major on The Bridge. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor in the Fine Arts Advising Office (W600) to see how their previously completed and current courses will fit in the Cinema and Media Studies program.
This new program blends traditional and cutting-edge approaches to the study of media and combines it with studio-based practice. The University of Lethbridge is close to large-scale media production hubs as well as local, emerging creative communities.
Prospective ULethbridge students should send questions to finearts.admissions@uleth.ca.
Current ULethbridge students can send inquiries to finearts.advising@uleth.ca or visit the Fine Arts Advising Office (W660).
Related programs
What you need to know as a current student in this program
The Cinema and Media Studies major is a broad, general program of study. There are required courses that provide a foundation for your major, but you'll also have flexibility on choosing courses for the path of specialization and creative study you wish to take.
You complete required courses in various aspects of cinema and media including theory and history as well as studio-based courses. Beyond the required courses, you choose electives based on your specific interests in Cinema and Media Studies. Refer to your Program Planning Guide in your calendar year for the courses you'll need to take and choose from.
- at least 40 courses (120.0 credit hours) with cumulative and graduation grade point averages of at least 2.00;
- 20 required courses (60.0 credit hours);
- a maximum of 24 courses (72.0 credit hours) may be completed from any one discipline for credit towards the degree;
- at least 15 courses (45.0 credit hours) at the 3000/4000 level;
- three Electives (9.0 credit hours) chosen from courses offered by the Faculty of Fine Arts;
- 12 courses for Liberal Education Requirements.
Remember that program requirements vary depending on the calendar year, which is usually the year of admission (or readmission) to ULethbridge. Therefore, requirements may differ from year to year even within the same major.
Not sure what calendar year you should be using for your program? Want to change your calendar year?
What is a Program Planning Guide?
A Program Planning Guide (PPG) outlines the courses required to complete your program, along with a sequencing plan. You should keep your Program Planning Guide up to date and refer to it for course registration and general program planning. You can find and download Program Planning Guides below!
2026-2027 calendar year
Did you know? A minor is a great way to complement your major and have your interests in another subject area recognized on your official transcript. It is an optional component of your degree program that requires a smaller number of courses to complete.
See an Advisor for more information about this.
- Visit Fine Arts Advising to request a program check and confirm you are on track to complete your requirements.
- Review the Convocation page and Graduation Checklist.
- Apply for graduation on the Bridge by the applicable deadline.
Fine Arts Advisors are here to help you along the way!
We understand that your goals may change during your academic journey. The Fine Arts Student Program Services team is here to assist you in selecting courses, exploring your academic options, doing program checks and making sure you have everything you need to graduate from this program.
Additional Resources
See what we're about in Fine Arts!
Interested in this program but have a few more questions? Speak to a human about this program today!
Contact Dr. Nick Sullivan, our Fine Arts Recruitment & Retention Specialist. Nick can answer Fine Arts admissions-related questions, and gives awesome tours of the University Centre for the Arts.