Course summary
A first of its kind, this MA Film Programming and Curating allows you to explore the diverse ways in which films are conceptualised, selected and presented to an audience. Studying in the heart of London, one of the world’s leading media hubs, this MA takes full advantage of its location to help you build professional networks and immerse yourself in numerous film events and screenings. Why choose this course?
- It is designed for those eager to learn about and/or work in film programming and curating, including cultural programming, exhibiting screen media archives, distribution and exhibition services.
- Taught by leading academic researchers and practitioners, this course gives you the opportunity to network and learn from a diverse range of expert guest speakers, film programmers and archivists, and through workshops and site visits.
- It offers you a guaranteed placement at a cultural institution or film centre around London and beyond.
- With its unique practice-led research approach, this course encourages you to apply the latest theoretical thinking to professional practice.
- The award-winning Birkbeck Cinema is central to the course, where most of our classes take place. The cinema is equipped with 35mm and state-of-the-art DVD projection, which offers you an opportunity to experiment with programming and watch films in the best possible conditions. Birkbeck is within easy reach of cinemas and galleries, as well as facilities such as the British Film Institute and the British Library.
- You will receive accreditation, sponsored by Birkbeck, to the BFI London International Film Festival.
- On this course you will also have the opportunity to participate in professional programming initiatives with organisations as diverse as the Korean Cultural Centre UK.
- The Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image (BIMI) runs a busy, intellectually stimulating programme of events, including conferences, screenings and film-related events of all kinds, which students on this course are more than welcome to attend. You will have the opportunity to participate in and attend the Essay Film Festival, jointly run by BIMI and the Institute of Contemporary Arts, with free admission to events hosted at Birkbeck.
- 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.
- We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
- film festivals
- film cultural organisations
- film archives
- film collectives
- local independent cinemas
- film artists
- founders of film organisations
- freelance film curators
- film marketing organisations.
Modules
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Assessment method
Essay assessments and a final project.
How to apply
International applicants
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course 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), or overseas equivalent. You are required to complete a 700-1000-word written exercise by choosing a film that you have recently seen and explaining how you would programme it for an audience. 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. Two referees are also required. 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 in a field relevant to graduate study in the humanities 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, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each of the sub-tests.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £6225 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £6225 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £6225 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £6225 | Year 1 |
| International | £10170 | 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
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
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