Taught course

Film and Screen Media

Institution
Birkbeck, University of London · School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication
Qualifications
MA

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 returned directly to culture@bbk.ac.uk, 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.

Months of entry

January, October

Course content

Our MA Film and Screen Media explores the history, development and interaction of film, television and other screen media. The course encourages you to explore a wide variety of screen media in historical, sociological, aesthetic and anthropological terms and in a variety of cultural and national contexts. You can personalise your MA studies and specialise in areas of film and screen media that match your intellectual interests and career goals, while a work placement option allows you to gain practical experience that may enhance your career prospects.

The course is unique in its combination of world-class, rigorous postgraduate study with creative and practical opportunities. Some of the option modules, including the two-month work placement module, can help you stand out in a competitive job market and further your career in the media, creative and cultural industries. The course will also prepare you for advanced research at MPhil/PhD level if you wish to continue studying.

This course has three other pathways: MA Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad), MA Film and Screen Media (with Television) and MA Film and Screen Media with Film Programming and Curating.

Highlights

Careers and employability

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

  • arts administrator
  • museum or gallery curator
  • teacher
  • programme researcher
  • television/film/video producer.

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

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

  • Deputy Editor, Sight & Sound
  • freelance editor
  • independent film producer
  • 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.

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.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement 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.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MA
    full time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    part time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Student Advice Service
Email
studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)20 3907 0700