Film and Television: Research and Production MA

You will complete four taught modules, an industry placement (or alternative module) and a dissertation:

This module is delivered through a combination of small project assignments, masterclasses from industry experts, and group seminar work. It provides you with a realistic overview of the challenges and processes of research, development and commissioning for film, television and digital platforms.
Assessment: Group presentation, taster tape and written assignment

This module acquaints you with critical concepts in documentary filmmaking, recognisable across histories, genres, nationalities and media. Weekly seminars cover a range of styles and tones of documentary film from early cinema to reality television, providing you with a strong appreciation of the technical and editorial complexities of documentary filmmaking, and an understanding of the relationship between intention and form.
Assessment: Visualisation task and written assignments

This module helps you to decide on a topic for your audio-visual or written dissertation and shows you how to plan your final piece of work. It guides you through using academic research resources such as journals and online databases, as well as developing research skills used specifically in the film and television industries.
Assessment: Presentation and written assignment

This module helps to develop the skills required for your dissertation. For those wishing to complete an audio-visual dissertation, it trains you in the technical skills necessary to film, capture and edit digital film and video projects. Those completing a written dissertation will be trained in research and critical enquiry, and will work on a literature review to form the basis of their extended research project.
Assessment: You will produce a three to five minute film on a subject of your choice. Alternatively, those who plan to submit a written dissertation complete a 5,000-word guided reading essay.

You can also complete a Placement and Training module as part of the programme.

This not only offers valuable work experience opportunities to MA Film and Television students, but also provides the support you need to identify your personal strengths and assist you with CVs, cover letters and applications for roles in the media industry - ensuring you are best prepared for life and employment after graduation.

Our dedicated Placement Coordinator will work with you to identify suitable placement opportunities; from broadcast television and independent production companies, to freelance filmmakers and media projects both on campus and with external organisations. We have long-established links with a range of companies, but students are also welcome to source their own placements if they wish, within certain parameters.

There is an alternative Media Industries module for students who do not go on placement.

Assessment: Feedback from your placement host/s and a 2,500-word reflexive essay. Submission dates for the placement essay usually fall in the summer.

• More information on the Placement and Training module for students and employers, including frequently asked questions.

In addition to your taught modules and the placement or media industries module, you will complete a dissertation. You have the option of submitting either a written or an audio-visual dissertation (which must be a factual piece).

Most students take this opportunity to build their production skills further, creating a 20-25 minute documentary film that showcases their filmmaking skills and their ability to produce content that has both intellectual and aesthetic integrity, and can go on to form part of their showreel or portfolio. Your film will be underpinned by independent research and academic supervision. If you choose to do an audio-visual dissertation you will also submit a 4,000-word defence essay.

If you choose to do a written dissertation, its length will be 15,000 words.