Film and Television: Industries and CulturesMA

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the screen industries and be equipped with key professional skills in critical analysis and content creation.

Course structure

The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.

You'll discover philosophical and analytical approaches to film and television culture and industry and examine how films and television affect viewers and make us root for characters on screen.

• You'll be taught by world-class experts in the fields of film and television studies, art, digital media, and culture.
• Develop comprehensive industry-focussed skills in film and television analysis and creation.
• Benefit from dedicated training in diverse forms of audiovisual storytelling and narrative design.

Enhance your skills

Learn critical writing skills alongside opportunities to produce audiovisual content and creative screenplay projects. You'll attain a portfolio of key skills in, for example, audiovisual media literacy, industrial and technological practices, critical reflection, historical and socio-cultural research, and creative outputs such as audiovisual production and writing for film and television.

• Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation. 
• Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching. 
• Assessment methods - critical and evidence-based written research essays; collaborative assignments; scholarly book reviews; group presentations; individual portfolio work and project-based creative outputs including a short form video project and a professional screenplay; and critical self and peer-evaluation of creative outputs.
• Dissertation - this can be a standard 12,000-word dissertation or a feature-length screenplay.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

You'll be required to take the following modules:

• Screen Histories, Cultures, and Technologies (20 credits)
• Movies, Emotions, and the Mind (20 credits)
• Advanced Audiovisual Storytelling (20 credits)
• Advanced Writing for the Screen (20 credits)
• Philosophy and Ethics of the Screen (20 credits)
• Topics in Screen Studies, Cultures, and Industries (20 credits)

You also choose one of the following:

• A written 12,000-word research dissertation
• A feature-length screenplay

You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree. Your degree doesn't need to be in a media or film-related discipline and you don't need to have any experience in the media industry to apply. 

However, you'll need excellent communication skills, with high standards of written and spoken English.

We look at your degree grades, personal statement, any relevant experience in the media industry, and your English Language results (if you're an international applicant).

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

Our Film and Creative Writing graduates enter many roles, including:

• Online Content Editor
• Video Editor
• Editorial Assistant

Employers our Film and Creative Writing graduates have worked for include:

• 3Wise Entertainment
• BBC
• Fremantle Media

We expect students from this programme to work in various roles in the film and television industries including film and screen media education; film, television, and media programming; event management; arts festival curation; digital marketing and communications; and journalism.

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.