Film is subject to academic study in a variety of different areas, including film history, criticism, and production. Students often analyze the social, political, aesthetic, and narrative features of a particular work, as well as the general theories that underlie filmmaking as a whole.

A bachelor's degree is given to students who fulfill the necessary requirements given by the college or university they are attending. The requirements include three to seven years of focus on a subject, typically referred to as a major or concentration.