Writing for Screen and Stage,MA

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom, London

University RankQS Ranking

408

Apply Now!

Go to Official Website

Home/United Kingdom/London /Birkbeck, University of London/Writing for Screen and Stage,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 DeadlinesOctober-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 20,850 / year

Next Intake October-2026

Writing for Screen and Stage,MA

About

Course Overview

Our MA Writing for Screen and Stage supports your development as a writer across a range of forms, genres and industry contexts, including for film, TV, narrative gaming, theatre and performance. It is ideal if you are keen to work across different media as a scriptwriter who can write for both screen and the stage.

Why choose this course?

You will be taught by established, award-winning writers, script consultants and editors for screen and stage writing, including Daragh Carville (The Bay, Middletown and Being Human), David Eldridge (The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Beginning, Middle, End, The Scandalous Lady W, In Basildon) and Barbara Cox.
Birkbeck has a leading reputation in creative writing, screenwriting and theatre practice and teaching, with many of our graduates enjoying successful careers in these arenas.
Your studies will be supported by extensive industry engagement designed to help you to progress on your career path beyond this Master’s.

What you will learn

You will learn how to develop scripts for screen and stage: from the conception of an idea, to the writing of a treatment, to the development of a complete script and its pitching. You will also gain an understanding of different forms, genres, histories and theories of scriptwriting and production in national and international contexts.

You will learn how to research and develop writing projects individually and as part of a team. You will also learn about industry practices and expectations, drawing on central London’s wealth of companies and contacts, and how to build a career in the field.

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, so that you can balance studying with work and other commitments.

Teaching on this course is innovative, flexible and engaging. It is conducted in small groups and one-to-one tutorials, with writing practice and script development at the heart of the course. Your final project, which allows you to develop an extended script, will be supported by one-to-one supervision and feedback.

Your learning will be supported by workshops, history and theory, alongside guest lectures from industry writers and leaders, to help you to hone your craft, successfully understand the workings of the sector and find your place within it. You will also write outlines, treatments and full scripts, so you can develop a portfolio of original projects you can use to build your career.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Writing for Screen and Stage (MA).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in any related subject; other qualifications or experience will be considered. Applications are welcomed from those with or without prior experience in writing for screen and stage.

As part of your application, you will need to submit 10-15 pages (double-spaced in Times New Roman, font size 12) of a play or script for a film or TV drama you have written.

To submit your writing please do the following:

Submit application.
Wait up to 48 hours.
Submit 10-15 pages of your play or script in a single file (Word or PDF) by logging into your MyBirkbeck profile, then going to the ‘Manage my application’ link and attaching the document.

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 programme 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

On successfully graduating from this MA Writing for Screen and Stage, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in:

writing and editing
script development
creative consultation
creative collaboration
project management and realisation.

Numerous graduates from our MA courses in this subject area have gone on to work for screen and stage, as well as in other formats and genres. Graduates can pursue career paths in:

writing for TV
writing for film
writing for theatre and performance
writing for gaming
script development
criticism and journalism
the creative arts and industries.

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.