Course summary
On our MA Film and Screen Media you will have the opportunity to explore the history, development and interaction of film, television and other screen media in historical, sociological, aesthetic and anthropological terms, and in a variety of cultural and national contexts. Why choose this course?
- This course is unique in its combination of world-class, rigorous postgraduate study with strong creative and practical opportunities.
- It offers you an optional two-month work placement module on which you can gain valuable, practical experience that will enhance your career prospects in the film and screen media industries.
- It includes further option modules that offer you exciting networking opportunities and can help you stand out in a competitive job market and further your career in the media, creative and cultural industries.
- MA Film and Screen Media
- MA Film and Screen Media with Film Programming and Curating
- MA Film and Screen Media with Television
- Teaching and supervision are delivered by leading film and media academics. The research expertise of our academics is in cinema history, exhibition cultures, programming and curating, film aesthetics, television industry and form, and contemporary and future new media opportunities inform every aspect of the course.
- Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- The award-winning Birkbeck Cinema is central to this course. The 70-seat cinema is equipped with 35mm and state-of-the-art DVD projection. The Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image (BIMI) runs conferences, screenings and film-related events of all kinds. You will have the opportunity to participate in and attend the Essay Film Festival, jointly run by BIMI and the Institute of Contemporary Arts. There are practical film-making opportunities offered through the Derek Jarman Lab.
- We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
- arts administrator
- museum or gallery curator
- teacher
- programme researcher
- television/film/video producer.
- 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.
Modules
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Assessment method
Essay assignments and a placement/research report of approximately 5000 words each, and a dissertation of 15,000 words due in September of the final year.
How to apply
International applicants
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.
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 [email protected], 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.
English language requirements
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. Some courses may require higher scores, particularly in the following subject areas: arts management cultural studies development studies English literature film and media geography history history of art law organizational psychology psychology. Please carefully check the Course-Specific Entry Requirements on your chosen programme for details of higher English language entry requirements. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £11070 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £11070 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £11070 | Year 1 |
Wales | £11070 | Year 1 |
International | £20340 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Birkbeck, University of London
Malet Street
Bloomsbury
London
WC1E 7HX
Course contact details
Visit our course pageBirkbeck Student Advice Service
0203 907 0700