BA Film Studies at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Film Studies is an interdisciplinary humanities major that explores cinema through theory, history and media analysis. Students engage with a wide range of topics, including screen histories, film genres and global screen cultures, while developing critical research, analytical and communication skills. The major also includes a focused subplan in Cinema and Culture, Film Production or Screenwriting, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests and goals. Offered at: Columbus.

Faculty: Arts and Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

Incorporating fields such as art, history, languages, popular culture and communications, the Film Studies major concentrates on cinema as an international social practice. Courses in early, multicultural and experimental traditions as well as related electives provide further exploration in the field. Students also choose an upper-level subplan in Film Production, Cinema and Culture or Screenwriting. They also complete an intensive senior seminar during the last year of study.

Career pathways

Film Studies students explore the historical, social and political dimensions of film, television, and culture broadly, with knowledge and practice in analysis, synthesis and expression that many employers find vital. Graduates of the program understand media objects, industries, aesthetics, and socio-political contexts.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the university (and the Arts and Sciences college where applicable) applies; no separate programme-specific requirement published. Film Studies is an open enrollment major with flexibility within the curriculum. Upon admission to the university, students can declare a major in film studies within the College of Arts and Sciences. Students interested in film studies should consult with an Arts and Sciences advisor and with the program’s academic advisor as soon as possible.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,921 a year (2026-27). Columbus campus on-campus Instructional Fee (tuition) for students beginning Autumn 2026: $6,460.50 per semester at 12-18 credit hours, shown as two semesters (Autumn and Spring). The Ohio State Tuition Guarantee fixes this rate for four years for Ohio re Source

Entry terms for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus: Autumn 2027 and Spring 2027 (Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026). Summer first-year applications are not accepted.

Transfer applicants can start in Spring, Summer or Autumn 2027.

First-year, Columbus campus, Autumn 2027: early action (non-binding) deadline November 1, 2026; regular decision deadline January 15, 2027; financial aid priority date February 1; acceptance fee deadline May 1, 2027. Early action decisions: December 11 (Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants) and January 22 (non-Ohio residents and international applicants); regular decision decisions March 5.

First-year applicants apply with the Common Application. ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year Columbus applicants (superscored; sent directly by the testing agency); applicants out of high school two or more years are not required to submit scores. The essay is not required.

Transfer applicants (Columbus campus): Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027; Summer 2027 deadline May 15, 2027. Regional campuses: December 1, 2026, April 15, 2027 and July 15, 2027 respectively.

International transfer applicants: Spring 2027 deadline October 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply

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