About

Why study Documentary Filmmaking at Leeds Beckett

The Northern Film School, which creates more than 200 films a year, was rated one of the top five international film schools in the world to watch by the Hollywood Reporter
Benefit from the school's close links to the creative sector in the Yorkshire region, throughout the UK, and beyond
Your tutors have extensive experience of working in the film industry, with most of them still being active filmmakers
Leeds is at the heart of a boom in the northern film industry, as well as being the birthplace of film, home to the one of the UK's oldest cinemas and the city recently chosen by Channel 4 for its new national headquarters
Access to professional, industry standard filmmaking facilities, equipment and teaching spaces that will foster inter-disciplinary collaboration, creative talent and knowledge sharing

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree in a cognate subject; at least a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for; or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.

All applicants are required to submit an online portfolio of creative or other work relevant to documentary which includes a proposal for a new documentary film.

All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to attend an interview. Candidates based overseas will be supported to undertake this electronically and/or by telephone.

All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.

All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.

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MA

Documentary Filmmaking

Entry requirements

Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree in a cognate subject; at least a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for; or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.

All applicants are required to submit an online portfolio of creative or other work relevant to documentary which includes a proposal for a new documentary film.

All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to attend an interview. Candidates based overseas will be supported to undertake this electronically and/or by telephone.

All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.

All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.

Interview Required

We conduct interviews as part of the admissions process and suitable applicants will be invited to an interview.

Portfolio Required

All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to submit a portfolio of creative or other work relevant to documentary which includes a proposal for a new documentary film.

IELTS

IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.

English Requirements

PTEMin 54
IELTSMin 6
TOEFLMin 89

Career

Career prospects

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.

Career Prospects

This course will prepare you for the collaborative environment of documentary filmmaking. You will gain the experience and knowledge you need to interpret your ideas and give them exposure to new audiences. Your technical and creative skills will enable you to make films you care about, ensuring your voice is heard and paving the way for your future career as a filmmaker.

My filmmaking course taught me how to work with other people in different kinds of circumstances. The highlight was shooting Border Patrol for our final degree project in Germany with an international crew. Winning the Student Academy Award has also helped me a lot with my career. I’m currently writing scripts for new projects including a mini-series based on Border Patrol and a 90-minute feature film.

Peter Baumann Director & Writer Student Academy Award Winner 2014 for the film Border Patrol

How to become a film director

Chris Brooke

Senior Lecturer / Leeds School of Arts

Chris is a documentary filmmaker, editor and Senior Lecturer in Film Production and Post-Production.

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Alex Ashcroft

Senior Lecturer / Leeds School of Arts

Alex Ashcroft is a sound engineer and educator with extensive experience across audio disciplines including; location recording and post-production sound for film & broadcast, live music sound engineering and theatre sound mixing. His research centres around immersive sound design.

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Philip Robertson

Senior Lecturer / Leeds School of Arts

Philip Robertson is an Internationally renowned Cinematographer who also serves as the Senior Lecturer in Cinematography in the School of Arts. Robertson trained at the Russian State Institute of Cinematography in Moscow (VIGIK) and is a graduate of the Northern Film School.

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Beckett Careers Team

Our careers service is not just there for undergraduates, we support our postgraduate taught and research students too.

Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.

Visit Beckett Careers

Documentary Filmmaking,MA