MA Filmmaking

For our students coming from a non-UK educational background, UCA has launched an Integrated International Pre-Masters year. On this course you’ll prepare for postgraduate study with a mix of online and face-to-face learning that will give you the study skills required to complete a Master’s, and you’ll also improve your English for academic study.

You'll be introduced to the University and the technical workshops and facilities available to you. The first term includes a range of lectures and seminars and you’ll start to explore your creative practice.

Launch
Your launch week is all about gaining a clear understanding of what it takes to work collaboratively through a series of workshops, fully preparing you for your year of studies. 

The Craft of Filmmaking
Covering producing, directing, camera, lighting, sound, editing, post-production and health and safety, this unit is designed to provide yout with a comprehensive introduction to the key craft skills, techniques, and practices used in filmmaking. You’ll demonstrate your knowledge through a combination of practical work and written assignments, including a final project where you will create your own short film.

Optional units

Depending on your pathway choice, you can choose one of the following options:

Screenwriting
The unit covers the fundamental concepts and techniques of scriptwriting, including story structure, character development, dialogue and formatting. You will learn how to develop your own unique voice as a writer and how to create engaging narratives and relatable characters. You’ll also cover formatting and industry standards for script submissions, and the role of the script in the entire filmmaking process.

Cinematography
In addition to investigating the various tools and techniques used by contemporary cinematographers, you will study the technical and aesthetic evolution of cinematography, the principles of cinematography, camera movement, lighting, colour theory and health and safety. 

Directing
You will investigate the art, craft and techniques of directing for fiction films, engage in practical exercises to develop your skills and analyse the work of notable directors. Subjects taught include script analysis and interpretation, film grammar, visual storytelling, and working with actors and the crew. 

During term two you will begin developing your MA project, evaluating and testing out the aims of your proposal over a sustained period of self-directed study.

Opportunity Week
The 48-hour Film Challenge is a filmmaking competition where in teams, the filmmakers have just 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a short film. The week will begin with teams randomly assigned a genre, a character, a prop and a line of dialogue that must be included in the film. They present their idea on Tuesday, and have Wednesday and Thursday to write, shoot and edit their short film. On the final day, the films are screened for a panel of judges, who will award prizes for the best films in various categories.

Film Production (non-fiction and fiction)
You’ll learn about the different roles and responsibilities of the production team and how to manage each stage of production: pre-production, production and post-production. The unit will also cover the technical and logistical aspects of film production, such as budgeting, scheduling, assembling cast, crew and equipment, risk assessment, and health and safety.

Optional units

Depending on your pathway choice, you can choose one of the following options:

Producing
In this unit, you will investigate each stage of the contemporary film production process, including development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution. You’ll also learn about the financial and legal aspects of film production, including budgeting, scheduling, contracts and health and safety.

Editing and Post-Production
In addition to investigating the tools and techniques used by contemporary editors, you will study technique of film editing, current editing software, workflows, use of sound and music, colour grading, and health and safety. The unit will also cover the role of the editor in each stage of the production process.

Sound Design
You’ll gain a broad understanding of the intricacies of sound design in this unit, including sound recording, Foley, editing, mixing, current recording and post-production tools, and health and safety. The unit will also cover the role of sound design in each stage of the production process.

In the third term of the course, you'll apply the knowledge gained through your research to create a final body of work.

Final Major Project
The Final Major Project is the culmination of your course, where you will conceptualise, research, develop and produce a short film or a feature-length screenplay. For this, you will work in teams and in specific production roles. Starting with an intensive research and development phase, the unit continues with pre-production, production, and post. Each team’s work will be given a final screening, where the team will give a presentation.  

Tuition fees - 2024 entry

UK students:

• MA course - £12,500

EU students:

• MA course - £12,500 (see fee discount information)

International students:

• Integrated International Pre-Masters course (30 weeks) - £17,500
• Integrated International Pre-Masters course (15 weeks) - £8,750
• MA course - £18,500

Further information
The fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only. For more detailed information about our course fees and any financial support you may be entitled to please see our fees and finance pages.

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources.

Discover what support you might qualify for please see our financial support information

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of scholarships and fee discounts available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

You'll find everything you need to know for your level of study on our scholarships page.

Additional course costs

In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make. Please see the Additional Course Costs section of your Course Information for details of the costs you may incur.

This course prepares you for a career within the field of fiction film production and also equips you with a range of versatile skills that open up a broad variety of career paths.

Our graduates have gone on to work as directors, producers, editors, cinematographers, sound designers, screenwriting, production design and on VFX. Additionally students undertaking this course might include work in archives, curating or distribution.

Among the productions our graduates have gone on to work on include:

• Bohemian Rhapsody
• The Dark Crystal (Netflix)
• Gravity
• Harry Potter
• The Dark Knight
• Mission Impossible
• Skyfall
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Rush
• Total Recall
• Fast & Furious 6

You may want to undertake further study or research to specialise even more.

MA course

• A good honours degree or equivalent qualification in a related discipline
  
  

and/or

• Relevant work experience, demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.
  
  

Consideration will also be given to applicants who can make a strong case for admission in relation to a particular project and can demonstrate their potential to satisfactorily complete the course.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

MA course

The entry requirements for this course will depend on the country your qualifications are from, please check the equivalent qualifications for your country:

• Non-UK equivalent qualifications

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

MA course with Integrated International Pre-Masters course

• A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject.

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

English language requirements

To study at UCA, you'll need to have a certain level of English language skill. And so, to make sure you meet the requirements of your course, we ask for evidence of your English language ability, please chcek the level of English language required:

• English language requirements