Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a new international university jointly founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University China and the University of Liverpool UK as a joint venture. As an independent Sino-Foreign cooperative university, it captures the essence of both prestigious parent universities and is the first and only one of its kind approved by the Ministry of Education in China.

The University offers undergraduate degree programmes in the fields of science, engineering and management, and awards both its own Chinese degree and a degree from the University of Liverpool.

Overview

• Whether in short online excerpts or in the cinema, storytelling is more important now than ever, and you can learn how to tell stories and bring them onto the screen.

• Do you have a story to tell? Do you see the world in a visual way? Have you ever wanted to work on real film productions with real movie stars? If you have a passion for communicating your stories on the big screen, this programme is for you.

• BA Filmmaking is a practice-based programme that fosters storytelling, creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation. You will learn to make films both for the small screen and for cinema consumption.

• Your practice will include areas of storytelling, creative production, directing for both documentary and fiction, cinematography, sound design, and post-production, as well as looking at the marketing, social media and business side of filmmaking and self-promotion.

Why should I study Filmmaking at XJTLU?

• • Experience an industry-standard, purpose-built film school building with world-class equipment and amenities including green screen and motion capture facilities, professional grading and dubbing studios, rehearsal spaces and a cinema
• • Create an idea and follow it through every step of the filmmaking process before presenting it to an audience on the big screen
• • Study project-management and other international film and television industry-standard software
• • Learn from award-winning international staff and industry professionals
• • Get industry work experience opportunities, and the chance to create your own films and work on real, live projects
• • Earn two degrees: an XJTLU degree from the Chinese Ministry of Education, and a globally recognised degree from the University of Liverpool, a member of the Russell Group of leading UK universities.

A one-stop-shop for Filmmaking

• Learn using state-of-the-art camera, lighting and sound recording equipment, post- production software for editing (image and sound), and colour grading.

• Access professional grip equipment in line with current industry standards and practices.

• Create documentary and fiction work and investigate other genres as the programme progresses.

A unique learning environment

• The film industry in the 21st century is global, collaborative and requires specialist training in a specialist environment, exactly what is being offered on the BA Filmmaking programme at XJTLU.

Facilities

• Facilities offered are based on good practice and modeled on international film schools.

• Medium and large studios, green screen and motion capture facilities, edit and finishing suites, professional grading and dubbing studios, rehearsal facilities and a cinema.

• A mix of creative, professional and public spaces to foster a creative environment designed to help students realise their potential.

Knowledge and skills

By the time you graduate from BA Filmmaking, you will have:

• • an awareness of your potential as a content creator and filmmaker with the ability to take your knowledge, specialist skills and understanding into the world of work or postgraduate study
• • advanced and specialist skills in filmmaking, including specific knowledge of ideas generation, content creation, production techniques, research and creative processes
• • the ability to use theoretical understanding to inform practice, and practice to inform theory
• • high-level skills in critical thinking and communication, with the capacity for both self-reflection and collaborative working
• • an entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to think like a filmmaker and entrepreneur in marketing yourself and your projects.

Careers

• Graduates from this programme are well-prepared for positions such as producer, director, screenwriter, content producer, cinematographer, sound designer, post-production editor, and independent film production. Graduates may pursue employment in a film company or be independent and entrepreneurial either working on their own or as part of a start-up company.

Year One:
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University offers a wide range of courses in the first year, including English for academic purposes (EAP), mathematics and physics, and humanities and social sciences. Click to learn more.

Year Two:
Core Modules
Introduction to Chinese Literature
Screen Writing for Film and TV
Documentary Theory and Practice
Fiction Theory and Practice
Introduction to Sound
Introduction to Directing
Introduction to Camera and Lighting
Introduction to Production
Media Aesthetics
Introduction to Post Production
Introduction to Storytelling

Year Three:
Core Modules
European Cinema
Film and TV Cultures
Film History
Minor Film Project
Visual Effects Craft
Documentary Craft

Optional Modules
Adaptation Across the Media
Experimental Film Practices
The Music Promo
The Art of Post-Production
Screenwriting Craft and Practice
The Art of Sound
The Art of Cinematography
Directing Craft and Practice
Producing Craft and Practice
China and the Digital Revolution

Year Four:
Core Modules
Collaborative Project
Marketing and Distribution of Content in a Global Context
Mediated Project
Media, Entertainment And Cultural Industry
Final Year Project: Moving Image

For the latest information regarding programmes, please refer to the official XJTLU website.

Why Choose XJTLU?

• Two Degrees: 1 from the University of Liverpool & 1 from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Bachelor's students)
• The University of Liverpool degree (Master's and PhD students)
• All degree courses are taught 100% in English.
• No knowledge of the Chinese language is required to apply to XJTLU.
• Learn free of charge Chinese alongside your course.
• A friendly international community.
• International Opportunities: "2+2" study route to the University of Liverpool, UK for undergraduate students (more than 3,500 XJTLU students are now studying at the University of Liverpool, UK through "2+2")
• International Opportunities: Wide range of study abroad opportunities in partner institutions in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, the USA, South Korea, Russia, etc.
• International Opportunities: Partnerships with multinational companies in the likes of HSBC, Standard Chartered, Siemens, KPMG, Alstom, Schneider, ICBC, etc.

About Suzhou

You have the opportunity to live in one of the most culturally rich areas of China, with Suzhou’s UNESCO World Heritage gardens and canals famous around the world.

Suzhou combines its rich 2,500-year-old history with a drive to become one of the most modern cities in China. It has a population of more than six million and a GDP of a trillion RMB – far larger than those of many entire countries!

Alongside its beautiful tourist spots, Suzhou has many excellent learning resources and sports facilities, a great choice of shopping malls, cinemas and restaurants, and a variety of bars and nightclubs.

Today, the city’s canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China. The classical gardens in Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000.

Suzhou is located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in eastern China. Within Suzhou is Suzhou Industrial Park, one of the most competitive development zones in China. This area also contains the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (home to XJTLU), which sits beside Dushu Lake, one of two lakes in SIP.

Central Shanghai can be reached from Suzhou in just 30 minutes by high-speed train.

Library

XJTLU students have access to a wide range of library resources, from books and journals to electronic databases and articles. The library plays a key role as a research support and learning centre for the University, developing its collection by focusing on subject development and research requirements.

The library currently holds over 500,000 books, which are added to and updated throughout the year in response to requests from academic departments. It provides 22,000 square metres of space, housing 300 PCs and 2,500 seats for studying, discussion and computer and studio work.

Campuses

North Campus

Full of striking, architecturally impressive buildings, our North Campus provides state-of-the art teaching, laboratory, research and support facilities. This includes the award-winning and iconic Central Building, which houses our library.

The campus also has sports facilities, world class-fully equipped science and engineering laboratories, International Business School Suzhou, and design studios, as well as a variety of catering facilities, including Subway, Pacific Coffee Company, and many canteen-style fast-food options.

Landscaped gardens complement pieces of modern art to create a campus environment that has become one of the striking features of Suzhou Industrial Park.

South Campus

The first phase of our South Campus was opened to the public on 26 July 2016, as a major part of the University’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

Architecturally it contrasts our North Campus and features modern designs that complement the surrounding area. Eventually, the South Campus will satisfy the learning and teaching needs of approximately 6,000 XJTLU students as well as the University’s academic exchanges and research development plans. It will consist of eight buildings and be developed over two further phases:

Phase II: International Business School Suzhou at XJTLU

This phase will see the completion of a new building for International Business School Suzhou, set to open by the end of 2017.

PHASE III: XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and XJTLU Gym

Phase III consists of two buildings – the construction of the XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and a gym. Both buildings are expected to open by the end of 2018. The development of the School, in collaboration with financial services provider Gold Finance Group, is a significant part of XJTLU’s academic development strategy. It will mix digital media arts and film and television production and technology with performance and acting. The gym will provide improved and diversified sports facilities for students and staff on campus.

Living in University

When you come to XJTLU, you will have the opportunity to try a whole range of different sports and activities as well as developing any existing skills you already have.

Student clubs and societies

Student clubs and societies play an important part of student life. XJTLU has many organisations with themes such as art, sports, music, entrepreneurship, dance to name but a few. Some of the more established groups include a Model United Nations and the Student Union.

Another society, Intercom, provides a platform for all international students to arrange activities and events, and share ideas and experiences with the wider student body.

Catering

3 canteens, 3 coffee shops, Bar, Restaurants

Sports 

Currently, 21 sports are offered through PE classes at XJTLU, including badminton, basketball, belly dancing, billiards, boxing, bridge, Chinese martial arts, football, free combat, body building, golf, popping, roller-skating, sport dancing, table tennis, taekwondo, tai chi, tai chi sword, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and yoga.

We have outside sport facilities that include basketball and tennis courts as well as indoor facilities, such as a golf training venue, gym, dance room, and table tennis room. There is also a football field located next to the new South Campus.