MA in Screenwriting

at University of Manchester

Course unit details

MA Screenwriting requires you to undertake units that total 180 credits.
 

The programme runs across two 12-week semesters, with students taking two core units each semester.
 

During the first semester you will take Story and the Journey of Change and Genre and Theme , worth 30 credits each. In the second semester you will take The Calling Card Script and Television and Industry and the Feature Film , worth 30 and 90 credits respectively.
 

The 90 credit unit Industry and the Feature Film is assessed via your dissertation, a final, revised draft of your full-length feature screenplay.
 

Story and the Journey of Change (30 credits)

This unit introduces students to story structure for both film and television, with a particular focus on the theories of Joseph Campbell, Christopher Vogler and John Yorke. Creative and analytical work includes the analysis and story-breaking of a television series and the production of treatments and a short screenplay.
 

Genre and Theme (30 credits)

The second unit of the first semester explores the inspiration for - and the development, structure and critical analysis of - short and feature screenplays, paying particular attention to genre and theme. Creative and analytical work includes script and film analysis, production of a short screenplay and the development of a portfolio of work that explores students' ability to incorporate their understanding of genre and theme into the wider context of conceiving and planning a feature film screenplay.
 

The Calling Card Script and Television (30 credits)

This second semester unit deepens students' understanding of story structure, including story world and characterisation, with a particular focus on the critical analysis of pilot episodes for major American, British and European comedy and drama series. It considers pilot episodes and series in relation to the industry and audience. Creative and analytical work includes a treatment for an original television series, a trial script for a major British television series and a developed 'calling card' pilot episode for a television series.
 

Industry and the Feature Film (90 credit dissertation unit)

This unit focuses on the development, structure, critical analysis and industrial context of the screenplay and feature film. It introduces students to professional screenwriting practice, from pitching, through development, first drafts and rewriting, to producing a CV and approaching agents. Creative and analytical work includes research, analysis and presentations, the production of script reports and most significantly,  the completion of two drafts of a full-length feature screenplay.
 

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
 

Title

• Industry and Feature Film
• Story and the Journey of Change
• The Calling Card Script and Television
• Genre and Theme

Academic entry qualification overview

• We normally expect students to have a First or Upper Second class honours degree or its overseas equivalent in a humanities-based subject area.
• If you do not meet our minimum entry criteria, please contact the admissions team to discuss your application as the school considers all applications holistically.  
   

English language

An overall grade of IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in writing and no skill below 6.5 is required or 100+ in the TOEFL iBT with a minimum writing score of 25 and no skill below 22.

• MA (full-time)
  
  UK students (per annum): £10,500
  
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,000

• This course is designed to train graduates to work in the UK and global film and television industries.
• Some will work as professional screenwriters, while others may take up other media and writing positions. 
• We offer talks from professionals in the industry and internship programmes to help you get an insight into what it's like to work in film and TV. 
• You can read profiles of some of our recent graduates to find out where they ended up working after completing the course - including two graduates who now work on Hollyoaks - on our student spotlights  page. 
• The University has its own dedicated Careers Service  that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .