Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in a relevant subject (e.g. humanities, modern languages or social sciences).

Knowledge of at least one other European language at a level to allow you to follow a postgraduate-level course at one of our partner institutions.

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

October

Course content

This MA Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad) combines world-class teaching in film, TV and screen media with a term at a leading university in Europe or Canada, and an optional work placement. It is the only MA in England currently offering such an exchange. Taught over two years, this course allows you to specialise in a chosen area of film, TV and media studies while gaining cross-cultural and work experience, and honing your language skills.

Why choose this course?

This is a research-led course, shaped by internationally recognised experts in film, screen media and digital culture including Dr Janet McCabe, Dr Dorota Ostrowska, Dr Eleni Liarou, and Professors Emeriti Laura Mulvey and Ian Christie. You will also learn from specialists in digital media and AI, including Dr Joel McKim, Dr Scott Rodgers and Dr Rob Topinka.
You will develop language skills and gain cross-cultural insight in your term abroad.
You will undertake a work placement to gain professional experience and engage with film and TV industry practitioners. You will also develop practical filmmaking experience through the Derek Jarman Lab and broaden your knowledge of film and TV cultures by attending events, screenings and talks at the award-winning Birkbeck Cinema and the Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image.

What you will learn

On this MA, you will gain a deep understanding of film, television and screen media in historical and contemporary contexts. London-based classes and your term overseas will help you to develop analytical, language and industry-relevant skills.

You will also build professional experience and networks through work placements while learning from world-leading scholars and industry practitioners to develop strong critical-thinking, writing and communication skills for future careers and academic research.

How you will learn

This course is available to study full-time over two years with classes taking place in the evening, though this may differ during your term abroad. It is taught via a combination of research-led lectures, interactive seminars, collaborative workshops and one-to-one tutorials and encourages an environment of discussion, critical analysis and writing. You will also have the opportunity to develop specialised knowledge in a topic that interests you by designing an independent research project and completing a dissertation.

On your term abroad you will be exposed to different teaching styles and learning cultures, enriching your experience and preparing you for careers in film, media or academia in the UK or overseas.

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

Our partner institutions

Highlights

Birkbeck is ranked among the UK’s top four institutions for Art and Design research (REF 2021) and offers the only film and screen media MA in England with a study abroad exchange.
Teaching and supervision are delivered by leading film and media academics, including Drs Janet McCabe and Dorota Ostrowska, and Professor Laura Mulvey.
You will join a vibrant academic and creative community, with opportunities to attend public lectures, networking and cultural events across London. The Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image (BIMI) runs a busy, intellectually stimulating programme of events. You will also have the opportunity to participate in and attend the Essay Film Festival, jointly run by BIMI and the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), with free admission to events hosted at Birkbeck. There are practical filmmaking opportunities offered through the Derek Jarman Lab.
Located in central London, in the heart of historic Bloomsbury, Birkbeck is within easy reach of cinemas and galleries, as well as the British Film Institute and the British Library.
Birkbeck offers flexible evening teaching to allow you to combine study with work or other commitments and has various bursaries for postgraduate students to support your studies.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MA Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad) you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

strong writing and presentation skills
collaborative and networking skills
improved language and cross-cultural communication skills
organisational and problem-solving skills
digital literacy skills
analytical and critical-thinking skills.

Studying this course will prepare you for career paths in a range of fields and professions including:

festival directors, programmers and audience development specialists
television, film and video producers or researchers
independent documentary filmmakers
film publicists and sales professionals
film critics
curators
arts administrators and cultural events coordinators
cinema managers
content distribution consultants
academic researchers and lecturers through progression to a PhD.

Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at the following organisations:

Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival) - Festival Director
London Film Festival (BFI London) - Festival Director
British Film Institute (BFI) - Programming and Audience Development, Curator of Public Programmes
Independent Cinema Office - Programming and Audience Development
Film Seekers - Sales and Acquisitions
mk2 Films - Sales Coordinator
MUBI - Senior Subtitle Manager, Sales Coordinator
Sight & Sound - Deputy Editor
Science Museum - Temporary Exhibitions Curator
Regent Street Cinema - Cinema Manager
Taylor & Francis Group - Academic Publishing Sales Manager
Various universities in academic research and teaching, including Westminster School of Media and Communications, London College of Communication, University of Surrey, Southampton University and King’s College London.

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, 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.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

MA
full 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

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Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad)