MA Screenwriting

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a clear and passionate commitment to the medium of screenwriting together with their intent to extend their knowledge in this subject matter. Detail of prior experience and/or study are required to indicate a clear desire to write for film, television and radio and to successfully complete this programme of study.

An applicant will be considered for admission if they have already achieved an educational level equivalent to an honours degree. It is preferable that you have a previous degree, but it is not essential. We also accept students based on their writing talent and the work they submit during their application.

Educational level may be demonstrated by:

• Honours degree (named above);
• Possession of equivalent qualifications;
• Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required;
• Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

• Related academic or work experience
• The quality of the personal statement
• A strong academic or other professional reference
• OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

For fees and funding information, please see website 

A high percentage of MA Screenwriting graduates go on to work in the industry as writers, script editors, producers, development executives, directors and readers. Graduates are employed not only in the UK but also in Europe, around the world and even in Hollywood.

Our current and past students are also regularly nominated for national and international awards, in addition, won critically acclaimed awards such as the Emmy Award, Page Award and The Palme d’Or.

The course team and alumni of MA Screenwriting maintain strong links with industry and production companies including: Working Title, ITV, Tiger Aspect, Feelgood Fiction, BBC Film, BBC Drama, Trademark, Red Planet, Red Productions, World Productions and many more.

A high percentage of students who have obtained commissions also return as industry guest speakers or to teach on the course and to help ensure that there is a continual open channel between the ever-changing industry and our students.

Autumn, term 1

• Short Screenplay (40 credits) 
  You’ll be introduced to the theoretical framework for the course, the course ethos and current industrial practice. You’ll focus on acquiring screenwriting knowledge and skills, leading to the production of a short screenplay.  
• Major Project (60 credits)
  This unit concentrates on the creation of a Major Project. You’ll focus on the framework required and the various writing stages involved in the development of a feature film screenplay or a pilot episode(s) for an original series/serial together with the relevant development documents.  

Spring, term 2

• Working with Existing Formats (40 credits)
  You’ll explore advanced scriptwriting theory through the creation of a half-hour script: either an episode of an established television series or serial, or an adaptation of a short story for film, television or radio.
• Collaborative Unit (20 credits)
  You’ll identify, form and develop collaborative working relationships with a range of potential partners, such as undergraduate or postgraduate students at the University or external parties (e.g. companies, cultural organisations, community-based groups, NGOs or charities).
• Major Project (Continued)

Summer, term 3

• Working with Existing Formats (Continued)
• Major Project (Continued)
• Industry Interaction (20 credits)
  You’ll focus on the current industry and your future career ambitions. You’ll gain detailed knowledge of industry roles and personnel as you engage with professional writers, directors, script editors, producers, commissioning editors, programme/schedule controllers and agents. 

Autumn, term 4

• Major Project (Continued)
• Industry Interaction (Continued)
  If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards. A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.