The MLitt in Film & Television Studies, taught in Scotland’s media capital, offers the opportunity for the critical study of film and television. This well-established programme aims to provide an advanced understanding of the approaches and methodologies in Film & Television Studies and to equip you with core research skills for advanced study in this field.
This programme will encourage advanced level study of specific aspects of film and television, via the exploration of research strategies appropriate to the two mediums. The curriculum is designed to establish the full focus of Film and Television Studies as a discipline and to suggest some of the ways in which its boundaries are being re-drawn by new screen cultures and technologies.
The programme consists of three components (please see core and optional courses information for more details):
Component 1: Core Course (60 credits)
Semester 1: History of Critical Writing (30 credits)
Semester 2: Research Methods and Preparation (30 credits)
Component 2: Three additional courses (60 credits)
Advanced Topics in Film Studies (20 credits) - compulsory
Advanced Topics in Television Studies (20 credits) - compulsory
(The above two courses will run in semester 1 and 2 in alternate years)
A third option course (20 credits, semester 1 or 2)
Component 3: Dissertation (60 credits)
You will research and write your dissertation over the summer (May to Sept). It will be 15,000 words in length and on a topic chosen in consultation with your tutors and the programme convenor.
The programme provides an excellent foundation for an academic career in this field and we provide support and guidance on PhD applications and funding opportunities if you are considering this path.
As an MLitt student, you will have plenty of opportunity to meet and work with our PhD students – for example, through the annual postgraduate conference – and find out about the range of research projects in which they are involved: from AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Projects with industry partners (BBC Scotland, the Glasgow Film Festival), to personally-conceived projects on filmmakers, genres, periods, or themes within film and television studies.
While the MLitt is a good training for PhD study, graduates go on to a range of careers in the media and creative industries including film education, festival management and programming, and arts administration as well as to research roles in television, academia, or the public sector.
Positions held by recent graduates include Celebrity Management Consultant, Director and University Teacher.
Our innovative MA in Film and Television builds on its prestigious heritage as the longest running degree programme of its kind in the UK. We aim to equip you with wide-ranging skills, knowledge and critical awareness to meet your career aspirations in sectors in which moving images play a central role. Our curriculum incorporates an exciting variety of learning and teaching activities designed to foster your capacity for researching and rigorously analysing different aspects of film, television and moving images. You will have the opportunity to develop key skills for communicating about and with moving images across a range of contexts and platforms. You can choose to have a broad-based learning experience in film, television and moving image, or you can specialise in moving image curation and screenwriting via our suggested pathways.
The core teaching team consists of members of the Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design. The course has close links with the Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM), the leading research centre in the UK for arts and design, whose members include internationally renowned filmmakers, film and television theorists and historians, and moving image artists and curators. We combine research-enhanced teaching with classes delivered by film and television industry and moving image art professionals, in order to make sure that you develop the skill sets and the full range of critical awareness that is in demand and to deliver an exciting learning experience for you.
The course combines core and optional taught modules. The design and delivery of our taught modules draw on CREAM’s research excellence in documentary, Asian and European cinema, moving image curation, and television history. The coursework requirements for some modules are research essays or a combination of research essays and research-informed blog posts and presentations. Other modules require a broad range of research-informed professional modes of writing such as a screenplay treatment, a curatorial proposal or an exhibition review. You will also undertake a substantial piece of independent research as a major part of your MA studies. In order to provide you with the flexibility to undertake a piece of independent research suited to your career aspiration, the final project module offers you the choice between writing a traditional dissertation or completing a theoretically-informed professional project such as a curating a film programme, writing and producing a series of themed blog posts, or writing a long-form screenplay.
The course is taught in two modes: full-time and part-time.
Full-time Postgraduate students study 180 credits per year. For the award of MA in Film, Television and Moving Image, you must complete two core taught modules, four optional modules and a 60-credit final project module, for a total of 180 credits.
The course structure includes two suggested pathways for those wishing to specialise in film programming and moving image curation, or in screenwriting.
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course
Core modules
Core modules provide you with a set of key skills for the theoretical, critical and reflective understanding of moving images.
Optional modules
Optional modules give you the freedom to choose areas of specialisation. The course leaders can advise on which modules best fit your interests. You have the choice to pursue specialised interests through your choice of optional modules and coursework assignments. If you are not sure which optional modules to choose or fit your interests best, or which types of final project work to produce to best develop your area of specialisation, you should discuss this question individually with the course leaders and you should aim to do so early on in the academic year.
The course structure includes two suggested pathways for those wishing to specialise in film programming and moving image curation, or in screenwriting.
We have strongly developed links with key London exhibition and research venues such as the BFI Southbank, ICA, Lux and Close-Up, as well as key critics, theorists, curators and festivals. We offer field visits to these sites as well as festivals like the Rotterdam Film Festival.
Our graduates have found employment in small- and large-scale film and television companies as filmmakers, producers, distributors, and exhibitors. Others have gone on to organise film festivals, or to work in film-related magazines and journals as well as in international arts and culture sectors. Some of our recent graduates have gone on to pursue academic careers as researchers or doctoral students at the University of Westminster and elsewhere. As the UK’s longest-running postgraduate programme in film and television several of our alumni are pioneers of the discipline of film and television studies.
The MA in Global Film and Television is an online course, offering a range of distinct critical and theoretical approaches. You will be asked to explore the dynamic relationship between visual style and social commentary in work of film and television from around the world. As the industries of film and television become increasingly interconnected, the course considers their shared stylistic and contextual relationships.
This course is innovative in engaging with comparative close readings of US film beyond Hollywood, of World Cinema, and of contemporary television. The course leads the way in employing cutting-edge advancements in Film and Television Studies, such as the audio visual essay and digital curation. The course’s online delivery means that you will benefit from greater flexibility, innovative teaching and learning strategies via the latest developments in social media and digital technology.
To find out more information about how online study works, please visit go.herts.ac.uk/online, or contact us on 01707 281121 or e-mail [email protected].
See how online study works and what kind of learning environment and materials you will access as an online student. Access free sample materials
With the University of Hertfordshire’s innovative online distance learning programme, you can study for a MA Global Film and Television at your own pace, without ever having to set foot on campus.
You will benefit from:
The degree is for those who wish to advance their skills and knowledge in the area of Film and Television Studies at postgraduate level. The course will provide the opportunity to develop an understanding of film analysis beyond Hollywood, and to engage in close readings of films and television programmes from around the world.
Graduates are equipped for a variety of careers including those traditionally open to Masters Graduates in the Arts and Humanities: teaching, the Civil Service, Local Government, journalism, marketing, film curation and exhibition, and publishing as well as for further study at postgraduate level.
This programme, available in both full-time and part-time study modes, offers you a broad-based understanding of how film, television and other screen media have developed and interacted across their varying histories.
It also gives you the opportunity to specialise in film exhibition and archival practice, in order to personalise your MA studies towards specific intellectual interests and future career hopes. The programme is unique in the way that it combines rigorous academic study with creative and practical opportunities, the latter offered both within certain option modules and via the two-month work placement.
This intermixing of the academic and the practical also enables you to take your interests further, into further postgraduate study, towards a career in teaching or into possible work opportunities in many areas of the media industries.
The programme has two other pathways: MA Film and Screen Media and MA Film and Screen Media (European Pathway).
The programme consists of the compulsory module Screen Media: History, Technology and Culture, a choice of option modules, a research project or placement and a dissertation.
The compulsory module is designed to introduce you to the basic methodologies and issues involved in the area concerned, as well as research skills and methods. The option modules allow you to pursue specific interests and areas of research.
A unique feature of the programme is the placement, which offers you the experience of working in a prominent media company or institution. Alternatively you can complete a research project which gives you the chance to undertake independent research and reflect on research methodologies.
You will complete the programme with a 15,000-word dissertation.
You will also have the option to take an intercollegiate module offered at another college of the University of London through the Screen Studies Group.
Get the training, connections and experiences you need to make your mark in television. Recognised with the Creative Skillset Tick of approval, GCU's MA Television Fiction Writing is the only full-time master's programme focusing solely on scripting for the UK.
Created in close collaboration with industry to maximise your employment opportunities, our programme offers you the full range of industry experiences - and supports you in developing your own original drama or comedy.
We'll teach you to story conference, storyline and edit scripts - all with direct input from the BBC, STV and other independent producers and writers. And you'll benefit from GCU's global reputation for academic excellence - combining academic theory with practical skills in a thriving and diverse community that shares a belief in the common good.
There are four main strands to this Masters:
Story and Script Techniques (2 modules)
You will study storytelling and narrative, genre, character and voice, developing your critical and evaluative skills as well as your creative writing talents.
Writing for Existing Long Running TV Drama (2 modules)
You will gain a thorough understanding of how creative and writing processes work on long running dramas such as soap operas or medical dramas and then write your own mock storylines and scripts.
Creating Original TV Drama (2 modules)
You will tackle the challenge of creating your own original drama in the context of current commissioning trends.
Researching TV Drama Markets
You will explore the terrain of the TV fiction market, the main channels (home and abroad) and commissioning policies and audiences in order to enhance their market readiness.
The Creative Skillset Tick is a kitemark of quality, showing the courses that best prepare students and apprentices for a career in the creative industries.
To be awarded the Tick a course has to undergo a rigorous assessment process by experts working in the creative industries and it is only given to courses that have the strongest links with industry.
With the hands-on experience offered in our MA Television Fiction Writing, you'll graduate uniquely prepared to launch an exciting new career in the field. GCU has built a reputation amongst employers including Warner Bros. Entertainment UK and Shed Productions for training creative and accomplished professionals who leave the programme ready to make meaningful contributions to television. You may also choose to pursue further academic work.
This course is suitable for students with a first degree, looking to become well-rounded broadcast journalists. You will have a keen interest in TV and radio news and current affairs plus sport, lifestyle and national and international politics. Though this course is NOT about presenting on screen or on air, you must be prepared to present your material on camera or mic, and write and direct material for others to perform. The MA in Broadcast Journalism is essentially about visual and audio communication of topical information, and requires a desire to communicate through essential team working. City provides an alumni network second to none in the UK broadcast industry; and provides possibly the best employment opportunities of any postgraduate broadcasting course in the UK.
Professor Sir Paul Curran, President says this about Journalism at City:
"Journalism at City began as a postgraduate department in 1976 and has developed some of the most respected MA Journalism courses in the country. Alumni include the BBC¹s Sophie Raworth and BBC Head of News James Harding, Sky News' Dermot Murnaghan, Editor of The Sun Tony Gallagher, Justine Picardie, Editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar UK, Channel 4's Ramita Navai and Al Jazeera's Barbara Sheera. Recent graduates are reporters, producers, editors and web content providers, across platforms ranging from the Financial Times and the BBC to Buzzfeed and Vice TV."
The MA in Broadcast Journalism produces award winning young journalists and has a superb reputation. You will learn learn comprehensive TV and radio skills. The course benefits from a large cohort of between 50 and 60 students with great networking and peer support. Teaching groups of 15 ensure personal contact with Professor Lis Howell; TV reporter Colette Cooney; Dr Abdullahi Tasiu; and key staff like radio practitioner Sandy Warr.
New from autumn 2016 Broadcast Journalism aims to offer 45 minutes long TV news programmes on news-days produced by students gaining practical training. Newswriting, television and radio journalism are taught in groups of fifteen and larger groups through lectures, workshops and broadcast simulation.
This degree is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC)
Work placements are an integral part of the Broadcast Journalism MA. MA Broadcasters arrange their own placements - with help from academics if necessary. You must have 15 days of work experience whilst on the course. This usual happens during the the Christmas break. The size of the City cohorts past and present means unique networking opportunities with present students and 4,000 alumni.
Organisations who have hosted City students in the past include:
In 2014 we completed a £12m development project for our Journalism facilities. These facilities were developed in consultation with experts from the BBC and ITN and were praised by the BJTC. They include:
Some courses are taught in lecture theatres, but most are small-group workshops that allow you to develop your journalistic skills and knowledge with the support of our expert academics.
Activities include lectures, practical work in groups and individually, personal tutorials, and independent learning
This pathway is taught by professors, senior lecturers and lecturers, with industry practitioners as visiting lecturers, and a number of key industry visiting speakers.
All MA Journalism courses at City are practical, hands-on courses designed for aspiring journalists. As a result, much of your coursework will be journalistic assignments that you produce to deadline, as you would in a real news organisation.
Assessments vary from module to module but include coursework, practical work both in groups and individually, a Final Project, a written timed test, and essays.
All of our Broadcast Journalism MA students must undertake core modules in Ethics, Rules and Standards and a Final Project. As a Broadcast Journalism student you will take a module in Newsgathering for TV and Radio; a module in Newsdays and longer form film-making; and a module in Data Journalism. Teaching hours are between Monday to Friday during working hours, and occasionally outside those times.
According to the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey (DLHE), 96.8% of previous graduates from this course were in employment six months after completing the course earn an average salary of £23,000.
Previous graduates go on to work as journalists, producers, or Head of Media & Communications.
Alumni include famous names such as:
Recent graduates of the MA Broadcasting include:
