Film and Screen Media,MA

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom, London

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408

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Home/United Kingdom/London /Birkbeck, University of London/Film and Screen Media,MA

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom , London

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJanuary-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 20,340 / year

Next Intake January-2026

Film and Screen Media,MA

About

Course Overview

On our MA Film and Screen Media you will have the opportunity to explore the history, development and interaction of film, television and other screen media in historical, sociological, aesthetic and anthropological terms, and in a variety of cultural and national contexts.

Why choose this course?

This course is unique in its combination of world-class, rigorous postgraduate study with strong creative and practical opportunities.
It offers you an optional two-month work placement module on which you can gain valuable, practical experience that will enhance your career prospects in the film and screen media industries.
It includes further option modules that offer you exciting networking opportunities and can help you stand out in a competitive job market and further your career in the media, creative and cultural industries.
It gives you the chance to specialise depending on your interests and career goals.

What you will learn

You will gain advanced knowledge in the history, theory and contemporary practice of film, TV and related media, and creative media practice. You will also gain in-depth understanding of the historical, technological and cultural interaction between the main media forms - from pre-cinematic forms to sound cinema, television, the digital turn, the internet, VR and generative AI.

This course is designed so that you can graduate with one of the following awards by focusing on film and screen media studies or by specialising further:

MA Film and Screen Media
MA Film and Screen Media with Film Programming and Curating
MA Film and Screen Media with Television

You can also apply separately for the MA Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad) to spend a term abroad at one of our partner institutions.

How you will learn

This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. These consist mostly of small group and seminar teaching, with some individual supervision, and are delivered by leading film and media academics.

You will learn about industry practice via guest speakers and work placement opportunities. You will also have the chance to engage in practice-based learning in workshops and pursue individual research projects supported by tutors.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Film and Screen Media (MA).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2 or above).

You are required to complete a 700-1000-word written exercise by choosing a film or television programme which you have recently seen and explaining why you found it innovative. Your completed exercise should be emailed to us directly or alternatively uploaded to the Applicant Portal, either as a Word document or a PDF. Please ensure that you include your reference number and name on each page of the document. Successful candidates will be invited to attend an interview.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

English Program Requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

Career

Graduates can pursue career paths in film and television companies, film festival organising, museums and galleries, arts administration, education, publishing and film criticism. Possible professions include:

programme researcher
television/film/video content producer
museum or gallery curator
teaching
communications and PR.

It is also possible to continue on to a PhD which offers employment opportunities in academia and other areas of advanced research.

Jobs gained by some of our MA and PhD graduates include:

Deputy Editor, Sight & Sound
Temporary Exhibitions Curator, Science Museum
Curator of Public Programmes, British Film Institute
Associate Lecturer, University of Surrey
Reader, King’s College London
Academic Publishing Sales Manager, Taylor & Francis Group
freelance editor
independent film producer running their own company.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.