Overview
Immerse yourself in the craft of cinematic storytelling with our MA Filmmaking, a practice-based Master’s designed to equip you with the creative, technical, and professional skills to thrive in today’s screen industries.
You’ll learn from award-winning filmmakers and research-active academics, gaining hands-on experience across all stages of production, from concept development to post-production.
What you'll learn
- Master practical filmmaking techniques in directing, cinematography, sound, editing, and post-production using industry-standard tools.
- Develop your storytelling and scriptwriting skills for both narrative and documentary filmmaking.
- Collaborate with peers across creative disciplines to produce innovative, professional-quality films.
- Create your own film whilst implementing key employability skills relevant to the film industry.
- Build a strong professional portfolio and industry connections to launch your career in filmmaking.
You’ll study in a vibrant creative environment alongside students from other disciplines, fostering collaboration and innovation.
This course combines industry partnerships, including the British Film Institute (BFI), BAFTA Albert accreditation, and Curzon Westgate Film Club, with access to professional-grade facilities and equipment such as Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro cameras and Avid Media Composer.
Through a mix of workshops, short projects, and industry events, you’ll develop a strong portfolio that showcases your technical excellence and creative voice. You’ll also explore the ethical and creative use of AI in filmmaking, preparing you for the evolving digital landscape.
The MA Filmmaking course offers a blend of practical production skills, professional knowledge, and academic study. It is designed to help you develop the knowledge and expertise required for film production. You’ll enhance your creative and technical production abilities and take responsibility for initiating a major practical project. You’ll also build your professional skillset through a dedicated employability module.Eddie McMillan, Course Director
Entry requirements
Undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above, or alternative qualifications and substantial relevant experience may be considered.
For more information on the IELTS (International English language Testing System) requirements for this course, please click here to visit our dedicated IELTS web page.
Module information
Core/optional modules
Practical Skills for Filmmaking
During this module, you will produce a number of practical exercises designed to allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the filmmaking process to a high level. You will learn advanced techniques related to fiction and documentary where you will create several short films. There is emphasis placed on key practical skills relevant to creative film production, with a focus on camera, lighting, sound and editing.
Creative Collaborations
This module will equip you with the skills and insights to explore how different sectors of the creative industries intersect, working on a live or simulated project with peers, external partners or across disciplines. You’ll apply your area of expertise in a collaborative project to tackle a real-world issue or challenge. By the end of the module, you’ll be equipped with cross-disciplinary understanding, a collaborative mindset and professional skills essential for success in today’s creative industries.
Pre-Production for Fiction and Documentary
This module provides an intensive exploration of the pre-production process for film in fiction or documentary for your major project. You will be set a number of development exercises leading to the completion of pre-production materials. During the module, you will also be able to advance your script to screen skills by broadening your awareness and understanding of the processes of directing and producing either a fiction or documentary film.
Major Project
This module empowers you to develop a major project that reflects your unique skills, ambitions, and career goals. Whether it's a creative, written, practice-based or practice-led project, you'll tackle real-world issues and produce professional-quality work. With the freedom to work individually or collaboratively, and across disciplines, you will apply your learning on the course to a substantive project of your choice. Supported by expert guidance, this is your opportunity to showcase your talent and creativity.
Professional Film Futures
The module will focus on elevating key employability skills to enable you to take your next step in the film industry. You will learn about the festival circuit, the film sector, content generation, networking with industry professionals, researching key film companies, and creating your own online profile. Emphasis is placed on the ways in which you can present most effectively the skills, knowledge and understanding of your chosen film path to build your professional identity. You will also be encouraged to attend festivals and film events to develop your professional network and explore professional film opportunities.
PG Challenge Module
Industry-focused and practice-led, these interdisciplinary modules invite you to work collaboratively, applying your advanced degree knowledge and skills to creatively tackle complex challenges that face our society today, to innovate, harness technology and become active change-makers in the workplace and beyond.
You will choose one of these modules. Click here to find out more and explore the full selection available.
How you’ll learn
This course has been designed to be taught through a combination of intensive workshop sessions, online interactive and self-directed learning, and both group and individual tutorials. The programme provides focused instruction in cinematography, sound, post-production, scriptwriting, and directing using industry-standard equipment such as the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro and Avid Media Composer.
The MA Filmmaking course is practice-based but should not be seen solely as vocational preparation. It includes an important theoretical component that complements the practical side of the programme; theoretical issues are explored through practice and in complementary modules.
Our course is unique in that it is delivered alongside multiple degree routes within the broader Creative and Cultural Industries subject area. This enables you to benefit from a multi- and interdisciplinary learning experience, meeting and collaborating with a wide range of creative professionals.
Students are expected to attend scheduled lectures/workshops of around 12 hours per week and to work outside scheduled class times to complete assessed exercises and tasks.
The course is taught by a team of experienced educators who have had professional careers in a related sector and/or are internationally recognised researchers in their field. A group of non-academic partners and advisors will also contribute to the delivery of the programme, in the form of visiting talks, debates and discussions and offering networking opportunities. These professionals have significant experience as media creators.
The MA Filmmaking course is practice-based, but it should not be seen solely as vocational preparation. It includes an important theoretical component that complements the practical side of the programme; theoretical issues are explored through practice and in complementary modules. You will learn through scheduled workshops and lectures, as well as by completing set tasks and assignments. Dedicated feedback is an essential part of your learning and development.Eddie McMillan Course Director
Your future career
Many graduates enter the film industry as trainees, gaining valuable experience and completing their technical training 'in-house'. Those already working in the sector can use this qualification to enhance their skills, build confidence, and progress within their current role or move into new opportunities.
Examples of roles that graduates could go on to pursue include:
- Post-production, including picture editing, audio, and colour grading
- Sound recording and design
- Camera operation and cinematography
- Producing
- Directing
The course focuses on developing key employability skills to help you take the next steps in the film industry. You’ll learn about the festival circuit, the wider film sector, networking, research, and how to create your own online profile. Emphasis is placed on how you can most effectively present the skills, knowledge, and understanding you’ve gained in your chosen area of filmmaking to build a strong professional identity. You’ll also be encouraged to develop your professional network and explore relevant opportunities within the film industry.Eddie McMillan Course Director
Fees
Government loans are available for some postgraduate Master’s courses. Loans are subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.
The rules around course eligibility mean that in some cases it may depend on how you are studying (full-time or part-time) as to whether you can apply for a postgraduate loan. To check whether your course is eligible, you can email the Student Fees Team or call 01227 923 456.
2027/28 Tuition fees for this course
| UK | Overseas | |
| Full-time | £10,280 | £17,750 |
| Part-time | £5,140 |
N/A |
20% Alumni Discount
We offer alumni discounts on CCCU Postgraduate Taught, PGCE Primary and Secondary, and Master's by Research courses for eligible students.
Find out about eligibility for the discount.
Important Information on Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for all courses which last more than one academic year are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
There will be an annual inflationary increase in tuition fees for this course where the course lasts more than one academic year. For further information read the Tuition fee statements and continuing fee information.