MA Screenwriting

The key roles and responsibilities of the contemporary screenwriter are explored from industrial, ethical, and craft perspectives. You will develop your communication skills by pitching an idea for a short form project, and you will work with other students for your first collaborative production exercise using a smartphone to make a statement.

In this module you will study the craft of feature film screenwriting, analysing key screenwriting principles including concept, character, and structure. You will receive extensive support to outline a feature film narrative and deliver a scripted first act.

You will develop authentic and detailed career paperwork and supporting materials including a CV and personal profile. As part of the module you will be offered Elective Upskilling sessions – opportunities to develop screen industry skills outside of your chosen discipline or as part of your multi-skilling profile.

Using contemporary examples from a range of digital and traditional storytelling mediums, the module will offer a greater understanding of the practice of writing for different platforms and encourage both creativity and independent critical thinking. Additionally, you will work collaboratively with students from other disciplines to produce a video artefact for an external client.

You will learn the particular skills required to succeed in long-form, serial storytelling and understand how a ‘series bible’ is developed, and then maintained, through seasons, with both single writers and multiple writers in a Writer’s Room.

Building on the work of previous and concurrent modules, you will gain a deeper insight into current theories, principles, and discussions relating to issues of diversity, sustainability and ethics within the screen industries.

Your project is an opportunity to deliver work that is distinctive, industry-aware, based in research and reflects awareness of a diverse and inclusive world. You will also present your career plan, including evidence of new skills to be assessed by industry employers and refine your career plan in preparation for entering or re-entering the screen industries on graduation.

We include a diverse range of teaching methods which include:

• Productions
• Seminar-style Group Teaching
• Tutorials
• Practical Group Work
• Formative Feedback through Critiques, Pitches, Screenings, and Reflective Sessions
• Work-integrated Learning
• Authentic Assessment

We use a wide range of assessment which include portfolios, performances, research, presentations, and reflective work. Please download the Course Specification below for more information.

Standard Entry Requirements

• Age: All applicants must be 18 years or older at the time the programme begins.
• Education: A 2:1 honours degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent.

Applicants must also submit:

A personal statement of at least 500 words. The MetFilm School online application form details the information that your personal statement must include.

Students Not Meeting Academic Requirements

Students without a degree, but who can demonstrate relevant industry experience or a degree below a 2:1 equivalent are still able to apply. They will need to submit the following:

• A professional industry reference.
• A professional CV.
• A 750 word statement of why you wish to enter the screen industries, indicating the ways in which you think they are changing.

Students receive the Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud License for the duration of their course. For more information, please check Equipment in the Study with Us section for your chosen course, and the Location sections for the range of equipment and learning resources available on each of our campuses.

For more information on MA Screenwriting entry requirements, language requirements, funding, and the application process please visit:

• Study with Us